Sometimes...

I get so bogged down in the daily quest of survival I lose sight of me.  I start questioning what I’m doing. 

At the moment my characters’ voices are muddled.  They’re being drowned out by the day to day activities in my own life required to stay alive.  Not being able to hear them clearly makes it tremendously difficult to get lost in their lives, to discover their stories, to know them well enough to relate them.

It makes me doubt myself.  Dumb because I know really do know better.  Even so, it’s times like this I pull out my previous accomplishments to remind me that my writing really doesn’t suck, no matter how much it seems to.

What do you do when you forget that you’re capable of whatever you put your mind to?

Close to Forever

I know Close to Forever has been out for a bit but I still really like the story even if I did write it myself.  If you haven't read it yet please do.  It's sweet not erotic, with hostility caused by a long ago misunderstanding and a twist at the end.

Blurb -
 

Marc is stuck teaching basic mechanics, but he isn’t happy about it.  He’s even less thrilled to discover Chloe in his class. Marc hasn’t seen her since the day she ruined his family.  He should hate her, but the more he learns, the more he feels there’s something that just doesn’t add up.

Chloe is ten minutes late for the first class, and the instructor decides to hold it against her. She’s never met a ruder man. Or a more dangerously attractive one. She doesn’t understand his animosity or the attraction between them.  When Marc has a change of heart, Chloe must decide if he can be trusted.

Families

My mother called me last night.  She finished reading Linked and wanted to chat.  Highly unusual.  We generally don’t talk about my writing since it tends to horrify her.  Yes, I am once again the black sheep in my family.

She said except for all the sex she liked the story.  Um, it’s erotic horror.  By its very nature there will be sex in it.  What she really wanted to know is when I started having nightmares.  I’d mentioned that all the ones in the book were variations of ones I’d actually had.

As I sat there, shaking my head and laughing, I was reminded of just how odd our relationship is.  You see, my earliest memory is of a nightmare.  Or the aftermath of one.  I remember waking up terrified, standing in my crib screaming and crying.  And no one coming to my rescue.  The nightmare itself is one I’ve had many, many times since then.  Yes, it’s included in Linked.  The one about the tree.

I’ve had a constant string of nightmares my entire life.  Too many to count in the time I lived with my parents.  And my mother never knew.  Which means she also doesn’t know about my prowling at night when I was too afraid to sleep.  Heh.  Explains a lot, doesn’t it?

Happy weekend!  Take your camera and go exploring.

Surprise!

I was cruising my emails today and stumbled across something exciting. Linked is out in print today! I knew it was coming soon but I didn’t know it was today. Yay!

Linked is my horror erotica. There are psychically linked serial killers, thus the title. And some yummy hot sex. Of course. It’s an Ellora’s Cave book available through JasmineJade. There has to be yummy hot sex.

Shh. I’ll tell you a secret. The nightmares scattered throughout are ones I’ve actually had. Hey, if I have to deal with them I may as well put them to some use, right?

Blurb –

Tori Banks has suffered nightmares of the same two murderers for years. When she hears reports of another killing, she questions whether the others were also real or just macabre dreams. Can she trust the tall, dark detective who makes her forget about cold-blooded killers and think only of hot, screaming sex?

Detective Guy Breauchard is skeptical when he sets out to meet the woman who sees serial killers in her sleep. But one look is all it takes to stir his blood and have him yearning to fuck her. He’ll have to keep his hands off of the sexy psychic if he has any hope of keeping her safe and out of the hands of the chilling predators who have plans of their own for her.

Reader Advisory: This story contains scenes of extreme violence.

Chaos!

Releasing in print on Friday! Chaos is the second book in my Cosmic Connections series. It’s more fun if you read Questing first but it’s not really necessary. I have to tell you this couple may be the most entertaining of all my characters. They were a blast to work with. They argued inside my head the entire time I was writing their story, causing lots of laughter at the most inappropriate moments. It’s been some time since I’ve read this so I may curl up with the kitties this weekend and read it while it rains. Join me!

Blurb -

When Shane McKade wakes up, trapped in bed, handcuffed to his brand new cousin-in-law, all he’s interesting in is getting them free so they can indulge in more mind-blowing sex. The woman aggravates him no end when clothed so better to keep her naked.

Alyssa Campini couldn’t agree more. Ever since she spent time on the street, capturing young gang members on film, McKade has been a thorn in her side. His only redeeming feature is that he comes through on his promise to deliver twenty four orgasms in twenty four hours.

Things get complicated, however, when Shane is shot protecting one of Alyssa’s gang kids while she’s off photographing tornados with a team of storm chasers. With their lives at stake, both are forced to reevaluate just what it is they really have together.

Excerpt -

The clanking of metal against metal shattered the early morning silence. Shane McKade felt the stiffness in his shoulder and the pressure on his wrist as he tried, unsuccessfully, to lower his arm.

A feminine groan, followed by an extremely unfeminine string of obscenities, came from beneath the covers next to him. “What the fuck are you trying to do, McKade, pull my arm off?”

Shane’s brown eyes locked with luminescent green. He muttered his own set of obscenities. “Campini? What the hell are you doing here?”

“I was sleeping until you so rudely woke me.”

“This isn’t happening. I must be dreaming. Yeah, that’s it. I’m dreaming.”

“Why?” Alyssa Campini glared at him. “Is finding me in your bed so repulsive? That’s not what you implied last night.”

“Yes. No. Damn! I don’t fucking believe this.” Shane managed to sit up, relieving some of the tension on his shoulder.

Alyssa squirmed upward to face him. “What, exactly don’t you believe? The fact that we ended up here at all or the fact that I didn’t slink off during the night, as I assume, from your reaction, your other partners do? In case you haven’t noticed, that was impossible but if me being here annoys you so much uncuff me and I’ll go.”

“Uncuff you?” he said with disbelief.

“What?” she demanded, scowling.

“Me. Uncuff you. As in, you didn’t grab the key last night with the cuffs.”

His words sank in. “Where is it?”

“Over there, on the dresser, with my badge and cell phone.” He pointed to the other side of the room. “And, for reasons I’ll never understand, you weren’t happy to hook us to just the bed. No, that we could have managed. You just had to be thorough and loop the cuffs around the pipe too.”

“Why is that pipe there anyway?”

“It’s an old building, who knows?”

“Well? What are you going to do?”

“What am I going to do?”

“Yes, you. You’re the cop. Do something!”

“I’m the cop?”

“You know, McKade, this habit you’ve developed of repeating everything I say is getting old. It’s not helping. Can’t you pick the lock somehow?”

“I could if I had a paperclip maybe. We’re in bed, Campini.”

“I know where we are. Don’t you have something in your nightstand you can use?”

“I doubt it but shift your arm this way as far as you can and I’ll look.” Alyssa pushed her hand behind the pipe in order to give him as much leverage as she could. “Nothing.”

“Where’s your gun? I thought all cops slept with their guns under their pillows.”

“You watch too much TV. My gun is locked in my gun safe where it belongs. What good would it do us anyway?”

“You could shoot off the link between the cuffs.” Shane stared in disbelief. “Come on, McKade. Do something! You’re the cop.”

“You keep saying that like its significant. Yes, Campini, I am a cop. That doesn’t make me Houdini. You’re a photographer. Why don’t you come up with something?”

“Argh,” she growled in frustration. “This is all your fault!”

“My fault! You’re the one who snapped on the cuffs.”

“Well, you sure as hell didn’t stop me! In fact, you didn’t seem to think any of this was such a bad idea last night.”

“Yeah, well, it was different last night.”

“Why?” she demanded hotly.

“I don’t know. Maybe it was the romantic feel of the entire day or the moonlight on the patio while we were dancing or that you looked so soft and feminine in that dress.”

“Oh so that’s why you started kissing me.”

“No, I kissed you to stop you from biting my head off every other minute.”

“What’s your excuse for bringing me here?”

“Lust? Why did you come with me?”

“Your kisses had me hot. I wanted you. When I want someone and he’s willing and unattached, I see no need to be shy.”

“You, shy.” he snorted. “Now that’s a laugh.”

The Story Behind the Story

One of the greatest things about writing is that you can work emotions out of your “real” life. In a productive, non-harmful way. A few years ago I tossed my ex, later to discover one of the things he’d stolen from me was my late father’s canoe. Which I then passed on the street one day, on top of someone else’s car. I came damn close to doing something incredibly stupid, turning around and going after it. But I didn’t, mainly because by the time I’d gotten turned around they would have been long gone. Instead, I ended up at home, bitching about it to some writer friends. Who instantly told me to use the anger and write something.

The result was Hot Rush. And yeah, in case you’re wondering, the ex in the story ends up in jail, with his buddies and the heroine gets her canoe back. Mmm, what an adventure she has in the process of doing so!

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.

Excerpt –

“All right. Where’s my fucking canoe? I want it and I want it now!”
A second before the screaming started, the door banged open to reveal the most furious redhead Rick Jensen had ever seen. And the most weirdly gorgeous in a he-couldn’t-put-his-finger-on-it-and-now-wasn’t-the-time-or-place-to-analyze-it way, too. Who the hell was she and what the hell was she doing, barging in on a full contingent of armed drug dealers in their lair as they were preparing for one of the biggest distributions they’d put together in months?
“Come on, I said now, damn it!” the woman screeched.
And more importantly, how the hell was Rick going to keep her alive long enough to get her out of there without blowing his cover or the operation, which was the culmination of many months of hard work by multiple organizations all coming to a head hopefully that night?
All eyes and most guns turned to the woman. Rick heard the clicks, signifying that they were ready to fire even if she didn’t. He had to draw their attention away from her.
“Hey, darlin’. I thought I told you not to interrupt me when I’m working.” He put himself between her and the array of weaponry, turning to face the room. “It’s cool, boys. She’s mine.”
The spitfire wasn’t having any of it and tried to shove him out of her way. “Yours? Ha! You wish. Look, all I want is what I came for and then I’m outta here.”
“I dunno, homes. It don’t look like it to me,” one of the armed men said, not lowering his gun.
“She’s just pissed. Come on, Lucy. Don’t do me like that. You’re gonna make me look bad in front of my boys.” He grabbed her hair, forced her head back and planted a wet kiss on her startled mouth.
The slap that followed earned a round of boisterous laughter and lewd comments but it also managed to get the men to stow their weapons. “Don’t you ‘Lucy’ me!”
“Feisty bitch,” Rick declared before kissing her harder. “Look lady, I’m trying to keep your sweet ass alive here so work with me, would ya?” he whispered so only she heard.
“Huh?”
“She always gets this way when she’s gone without for too long, don’t ya, darlin’?”
Before the woman could respond, the obvious leader asked, “What’d she say about wanting a canoe?”
Rick forced a chuckle, all the while racking his brain for something plausible. “Oh that’s just what she calls my cock.” Not the best answer but hopefully the men would buy it and she’d play along.
“Fuck, like you got something like that,” another joined in.
“Tell ’em, Lucy.”
“What? Are you out of your mind?”
“Only when it comes to you.”

Go Read!

Busy, busy week this week so I’m not sure how much I’ll be here. So you don’t miss me too much, might I suggest you read one of my books? How about Close to Forever? It’s such a sweet, sweet romance and I just know you’ll love the characters! Here’s a peek…

Chloe ignored her disgruntled instructor’s tactless comment that she wasn’t up to the task and went about the required cleanup without complaint as she had every other class. She was still hoping to speak with him after the others had gone but his friend appeared before everyone else left. In her frustration, she slammed the drawer on the rolling toolbox with enough force to shove it back against the oil drum. The resulting racket drew both men immediately to her side, which left her embarrassed at her clumsiness for the second time in two hours.

“It slipped,” she said hastily as she tried to free her arms from the hands firmly gripping them. “Sorry.” Chloe fought to maintain her smile when she looked up at the scowling face hovering above hers. “Um, could you please let go now?” His fingers tightened. His expression darkened and for one insane second she almost had the impression that he was going to kiss her. “You’re hurting me.”

Marc released her so forcefully that she almost stumbled. His hands returned to steady her even though his features showed he’d prefer to shove her as far away from him as he could. “Damn fool woman! Why the fuck didn’t you do us both a favor and stay the hell home tonight like you should have?”

George was so unprepared for Marc’s fury that his mouth opened and closed uselessly, so shocked he seemed to have lost the ability to speak. His face turned even redder than Chloe’s. It took him so long to react that by the time he thought to step between them it was too late.

“Just what is your problem?” she exclaimed, poking a finger into the middle of Marc’s solid chest. “I closed the drawer a little too hard and it slipped out of my hand. It is on wheels, you do know that, right? So what if it rolled a few inches and banged that barrel a smidge? It didn’t do anything to either, see?” She spun around, angling the toolbox so he could see that there was no damage. “It was an accident! Just an accident so you really don’t need to yell about it.”

Marc’s stony stare hardened. “Lady, you’re a real piece of work. I don’t know if you’re stubborn, stupid or both but whichever it is, it’s way past time for you to wise up here.”

“Marc,” George tried.

“Shut up, Hansen. I’m not finished.” The look he flashed his friend stunned him into silence once again. “You start out by all but keeling over. You spend the next two hours on your feet even though I suggest that you take a seat several times. You refuse to leave when I tell you to like a typical pigheaded, idiot female. And then you go all pissy-bitch on me because I try to keep you from bashing your head on something when it looks and sounds like you’re falling over again.”



“You passed out earlier?” George squealed.

Chloe said no as Marc said yes. “Not really,” she explained. “I had a very hectic day and felt a little lightheaded for a few seconds right after I got here. I was fine as soon as I had a minute. Contrary to popular opinion, I do know my own limits and assure you that had I at any time felt unable to competently participate in this evening’s lesson, I would have excused myself and gone home. I am not a quitter, Mr. Hughes, something I had hoped you might have realized by now. I finish what I start and that isn’t going to change. I have no idea what bug crawled up your high and mighty ass and frankly, I no longer care but nothing you say is going to drive me away from the remaining sessions. You obviously aren’t about to take my word on this so you just go ahead and give it your best shot. Bring it on, mister, but don’t be surprised when it doesn’t work.” When she stopped speaking, Chloe noticed that she was jabbing his rock-hard chest and had been the whole time. She was out of breath and hoping against hope that it masked the way she was shaking. She couldn’t remember ever being so angry in her entire life, which had her fascinated even in her annoyed state.

George used the pause to separate the pair. “Okay, kids, let’s just calm down here.”

He pushed Marc back a few feet with a hand firmly against his side while trying to maneuver Chloe in the opposite direction with a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Take some deeps breaths and relax. You both seem kind of edgy but there’s no need to get carried away. Settle down and then we’ll talk this through. Okay?”

“I know you mean well, Mr. Hansen, but there’s nothing to talk about. Mr. Hughes’ hostility began the first class when I walked in ten minutes, apparently an unforgivable offense in his book. Somewhat harsh in my opinion but he’s the instructor so it’s his prerogative. I’m a big girl and I’ve dealt with worse, trust me. The course is more than half over. I’ve made it this long so I’m sure I can handle it if he’s determined to continue acting like such a big jerk throughout the rest.”

Linked

This week's peek comes from Linked, my erotic horror. Throughout the book the heroine, Tori Banks has nightmares which turn out to be real as she's psychically linked to a pair of serial killers. The thing about this book, and why I haven't gone back to reread it, is that all the nightmares in here are ones I actually had. Yeah, makes you wonder, doesn't it?

“I’m Detective Breauchard, Barry’s partner.” He extended his hand and noted both her hesitation and the slight tremble when she finally accepted. “Shall we?” He indicated a nearby table.

“Oh. All right.” Tori looked disturbed by his choice.

Guy let the silence stretch beyond the comfort zone. “I understand you believe you have knowledge of a homicide?”

“I think I might.”

“You might? As in you’re not sure?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Maybe. I don’t know.”

Fighting for patience, Guy made the mistake of glancing at Lana. When he refocused on the woman next to him, he knew she’d seen his date’s annoyed gesture.

“Perhaps you could begin by telling me how you got this information that you may or may not have.”

Tori flinched. “I had a nightmare.”

“Pardon me. I don’t think I heard you correctly.”

“I said I had a nightmare. Of that poor woman getting killed.”

Guy snorted. “I see.”

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

“Of course I do, Ms. Banks,” he sneered. “We employ a full staff of sleeping witnesses. How else would we ever catch the bad guys?”

“This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come.” Tori’s shoulders slumped.

“No, Ms. Banks, what you shouldn’t have done was take advantage of the good woman who befriended you and her family.”

“What?” His words startled her into looking at him.

“What’s wrong? Are you so bored with our little community that you decided to play the psychic and stir things up?”

“I never—”

“Cut the bullshit, princess. This is New Hampshire, not California. Your Beverly Hills drama queen act may do it for you there but here, we have values. We respect honesty, not hyped-up hysterics.”

“Beverly Hills drama queen,” Tori sputtered. “Since that’s where I’m from, that’s what I must be?”

“Hey, if the shoe fits.” Guy watched her features sharpen with anger and saw something in her eyes that made him question his opinion.

“Then that would make you an asshole, Detective Breauchard,” Tori emphasized the French pronunciation of his name. “Since everyone knows the French are all assholes.”

“My distant family is from Quebec, Ms. Banks, but I assure you, I am as American as you are.”

“That may be.” Tori stood and leaned over the table toward him. “But roots count tremendously and Quebec is the next best thing to France. Forgive me for interfering with your evening. I’ll go now and let you get back to your date.”

Guy watched as she mustered her dignity and swept out the door. Anyone watching would see only her grand exit. If Guy hadn’t seen how her hands were shaking and the hurt and sadness in her eyes when she leaned closer to him, he would have believed it too. But he had seen and that made him wonder if her regal behavior as she left wasn’t the true act. If it was then that meant his assumption that she was an attention-seeking lunatic was wrong too.

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!

Come Explore...

The softer side of Ellora’s Cave. Blush. Same authors you know and love. Sweet, mainstream romances that will tug at your heart.

And speaking of the Blush line, my new book, Close to Forever, releases the 11th. I love this story! Yes, I know I wrote it but it still makes me sigh at the end. If you have a chance, I’d like to know what you think.

Blurb –

Marc is stuck teaching basic mechanics, but he isn’t happy about it. He’s even less thrilled to discover Chloe in his class. Marc hasn’t seen her since the day she ruined his family. He should hate her, but the more he learns, the more he feels there’s something that just doesn’t add up.

Chloe is ten minutes late for the first class, and the instructor decides to hold it against her. She’s never met a ruder man. Or a more dangerously attractive one. She doesn’t understand his animosity or the attraction between them. When Marc has a change of heart, Chloe must decide if he can be trusted.


Excerpt –

Chloe had been waiting for him to arrive, dressed exactly as he’d predicted. The night he’d spoken to George and the six following, which made him wonder who she was borrowing clothes from, since he was sure they weren’t hers. Each class, he’d worked her hard, assigning her every shit job he could think up, all of which she’d completed without complaint. She didn’t say a peep about how unfair he was being. She just kept coming back for more even though her snooty, high and mighty, sister threw it in her face before she dropped out of the class.

“Hey, Marco,” George greeted as he came through the door. “Heading out soon? I’m ready to lock up.”

“Soon as she’s done cleaning up and gets the tools we used tonight stowed away,” he replied, waving a hand at the woman he referred to without looking over his shoulder.
George did a double take when he saw her and stepped close enough to speak without being overheard.

“That her?”

Marc nodded.

“Damn, she’s hot!” The scowl he got was almost frightening. “Sorry.” He shrugged, grinning as he slowly looked her over. Retreating a few feet, he said loudly, “Something going on here I need to know about?”

“Huh?” Marc’s senses went on full alert. What the hell was George up to? He kept his face blank as he watched his soon-to-be ex-friend stroll over to the class flunky.

When George winked, Marc started planning how to do him in. The guy was already living on borrowed time since that bullet had damn near killed him. He would be dead if Marc hadn’t carried him out and gotten him fixed up as quick as he had. Because he’d saved George’s annoying, interfering in matters where he had no business, ungrateful life, he was therefore entitled to end it whenever he chose to. This was definitely a situation where it was justifiable to exclude the fact that George had been shot by the sniper instead of him.

“Evening, ma’am,” George introduced himself. “Anything you want to tell me?” George gave her his most charming smile. “Strictly speaking it’s not against the rules and personally, I have no notable objections, but Marco here is my best bud and I like to keep an eye out for him. So tell me, what are your intentions in regards to him?”

“My intentions?” Chloe asked politely though she clearly wasn’t thrilled with his attempt to draw her into his game.

“Yes. I do hope they’re honorable. Otherwise I may have something to say about this.”

“Well then you have nothing to worry about. I assure you Mr. Hughes is perfectly safe with me.”

Ooh, Pretty!

Looky! I got my new cover.


Close to Forever

Releasing August 11, 2011

A Tease

Close to Forever

Marc is stuck teaching basic mechanics, but he isn’t happy about it. He’s even less thrilled to discover Chloe in his class. Marc hasn’t seen her since the day she ruined his family. He should hate her, but the more he learns, the more he feels there’s something that just doesn’t add up.

Chloe is ten minutes late for the first class, and the instructor decides to hold it against her. She’s never met a ruder man. Or a more dangerously attractive one. She doesn’t understand his animosity or the attraction between them. When Marc has a change of heart, Chloe must decide if he can be trusted.

Quick Writer News

Close to Forever has been contracted by Ellora's Cave for the sweet blush line. Stay tuned for more details...

Drake's Rules

I’m not sure why but I was thinking about an older book of mine this past weekend. Drake’s Rules. One thing led to another and I ended up reading it which turned out to be a semi-weird experience.

You see, there were entire sections I didn’t remember writing. I was sitting there, happily reading along and I’d get lost in the story. Then I’d hit a part that I do recall and be reminded that I was reading one of my books.

Do you ever do that? Read something years later, whether it be a book or a journal entry or a poem and hit a blank wall about it? It’s odd and a little unsettling though not in a bad way. I figure those are the spots when the characters took over and wrote whatever they wanted.

Like the rules Drake kept coming up with throughout the book. Rules of couplehood. Um, yeah. I’m not someone I’d recommend coming to for relationship advice to I’m fairly certain Drake himself wrote them.

Releasing Friday!

As in tomorrow!

Condemned

Book 3 of the Cosmic Connections series


Blurb:

Brett Hudson’s life is in shambles. An attempt to deny fate has left him wide open for an unscrupulous pair intent on ruining him completely.

Andrea Sloan knows she and Brett are meant to be together the instant they meet. It takes a while, but finally chance puts her in the right place at the right time to rescue him, then a night of intense sex only complicates things even more.

Now Brett must salvage what’s left of his life and prove himself worthy of Andie’s love before it’s too late. A little BDSM sex play might be the answer…

Excerpt:

After dinner, Brett walked Tish out to the gatehouse. Jesse and Andie followed, only to find they were unable to resist the hammock they spied in the yard. They settled in together and were talking comfortably.

When Jesse heard the door, he said, “Pretend you’re sleeping. Stay limp.” Softly, he whistled to get Brett’s attention. “I need your help,” he whispered as Brett approached.

“What can I do for you?” Brett asked frowning at the thought that something was wrong with Andie.

“We were only going to relax here for a minute but Andie’s out cold. I’m afraid if I try to crawl out, I’ll end up dumping her on the ground. Do you think you can lift her off me?” Jesse controlled his reaction when Andie poked his side where Brett wouldn’t see her. Apparently, she didn’t like his idea.

“Yeah, sure.” Brett gulped.

As soon as Brett scooped her into his arms, Jordan appeared. “Jesse, I hate to interrupt, but can I have a minute? I’m sure Brett doesn’t mind taking her in and getting her settled.”

“No problem,” Brett answered when Jesse looked at him.

Inwardly, he groaned. When he had picked Andie up, she snuggled into his arms. She mumbled something on the stairs, so he said, “It’s okay, Andie. I have you. I won’t let you fall.”

“Mm.” She shifted against him, nuzzling his chest.

“Here you are,” Brett said as he pulled down the covers and put her in the bed. “Let me get your shoes.”

Andie acted like she was still mostly asleep. “Wait,” she muttered, reaching under her shirt and unhooking her bra. Brett watched while she slid it off without removing her shirt in the way that only women could do. “Jeans,” she said as she lay back on the pillow and held out her bra.

“Ah, yeah, okay.” Brett took a deep breath and reached for the button. After he slid the zipper down, he told her to lift her hips. As he removed her jeans, he couldn’t help noticing that her panties were the same sheer material that her bra was. When he realized that he was ogling his friend’s girlfriend, he forced himself to look away. He finally managed but not before his gaze lingered on the hardened nipples that were clearly visible beneath her snug shirt. With great effort, he pulled the blanket over her body. Unable to resist, he leaned over and kissed her lightly. “Night, Andie. Sleep well.”

Andie snuggled deeper into the covers before she answered. “You too, Brett. Thanks.”

Brett closed the door to Andie’s room softly behind him. What the hell was he doing? He decided he must be even more stressed out than he thought to have just acted that way with Jesse’s woman. He should have pretended he hadn’t heard her when she told him to wait. He was as bad as a peeping tom! She was asleep and didn’t deserve to have him ogling at her like some kind of pervert. Thank God she didn’t know what he was thinking. And, to make matters worse, he’d kissed her! What possessed him to do something so stupid? She was off-limits. No exceptions. Sleeping or not, it didn’t make any difference. But damn if she hadn’t looked sexy, lying there, in nothing but her panties and shirt.

Catching Up

Hmm, let’s see. What have I been up to these past few days?

Friday, in the snow, I took a little ten hour drive across the state and back for a quick visit with some very good friends who I’ve been missing lately. Considering the circumstances, it ended up being a wonderful day.

When I got home in the wee hours of the morning I found that Condemned is back on the Coming Soon page, complete with new cover. Such a fun thing, seeing my very own book there!

Saturday, I went to the Middle Child’s engagement party. They’re both such great kids. Between them, the others in their family, and their friends I’m not so worried about the future of the world. It’s in good hands. Friends, fun, way too much yummy food to choose from. What more could you ask for?

Sunday, I curled up with the kitties and read more of the book that distracted me from getting anything accomplished on my cleaning project the weekend before. Wait. That’s not quite true. I did move one book, the one I’m now reading, off the pile. Better than nothing, right?

How was your weekend?

So Now We Know

But first, some history. In 1993, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development deemed March 22 as World Water Day. The purpose, to draw international attention to the relation between freshwater and our lives. The cold, hard facts are that one in eight people worldwide still don’t have access to safe water, literally millions spend hours every day collecting water from faraway polluted sources, and 2.5 billion people live without toilets.

This year, President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela made a speech, commemorating World Water Day. Nothing wrong with that, right? Perhaps. In his comments he brought up Mars. The planet, that is. Why? Because there is no water there. At least not on the surface anyway. Here are his thoughts on the matter. “I have always said, heard that it would not be strange that there had been civilization on Mars, but maybe capitalism arrived there, imperialism arrived and finished off the planet.”

Okeedokey. So the inception of capitalism is the definitive explanation on why Mars is devoid of life as we on Earth know it. Wow, am I glad he cleared that one up for us! Now I can rest easy at night, no longer having to worry about whether or not there was once life-sustaining water on Mars and what could possibly have happened to it.

In truly important news, the release date for Condemned is pushed back one week to April 8. That means you have a just a little more time to finish reading the first two books of the series.

Condemned...

…has a release date! March 31st. Yep, THIS March 31st. As in the March 31st that’s only 27 days away. How cool is that? Happy dance time. Come out and celebrate with me! You know. For Condemned, releasing March 31st.

Have a great weekend!

Ooh!

A brand new, shiny cover for a brand new shiny book. Isn't it yummy!