Flash Fiction #39 A Hard Climb

Posted on March 29, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Thanks for stopping. Another picture…another 100 words.

Freedigitalphotos.net

The sting radiating from Shannon’s new blister threatened her goal, but she wanted to keep going. Her mission was to finish this hike on this day. She knew she could do it.

She’d even lost sight of her sexy new friend. Watching his firm back side had kept her at a brisk pace most of the morning. A rushing rumble rang out and the surrounding forest fell silent.

She pulled on everything she had left and willed her legs into the final climb. The falls came into view, washed away her sorrows, and filled her with peace.

“You made it.”

Hope you enjoyed my flash today!! Don’t forget to follow the link to get to the other FFF posts. Flasher Fiction Friday. Or click away on the links below.

Pablo Michaels: http://www.pmmanmanromance.com
Doris O’Connor: http://thetardisscribbles.blogspot.co.uk/
Naomi Shaw: www.authornaomishaw.com
Angelica Dawson: http://angelicadawson.blogspot.com/
J S Morbius: http://morbiussworld.blogspot.co.uk/
Sherri Hayes: http://www.sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/
Gemma Parkes: http://gemmaparkes.blogspot.com/
AuroraRose Andromeda: http://rollingmuseintheroses.blogspot.com/

A Chat with Maggi Andersen author of A Baron in her Bed

Posted on March 25, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Title: A Baron in her Bed

Author: Maggi Andersen

Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing
Length: 302 pages
Subgenres: Historical, Suspense, Romance

BLURB:

Horatia’s plan to join the London literary set takes a dangerous turn. Now that the war with France has ended, Baron Guy Fortescue arrives in England to claim his inheritance. When Guy is set upon in London, a stranger, Lord Strathairn, rescues and befriends him. But while traveling to his country estate, Guy is again attacked. Guy suspects his relative, Eustace Fennimore, is behind the attacks on his life. Horatia refuses to believe her godfather, Eustace, is responsible. Secure in the knowledge that his daughter will finally wed, Horatia’s father allows her to visit her blue-stocking aunt in London. But Horatia’s time spent in London proves to be anything but a literary feast, for a dangerous foe plots Guy’s demise. She is determined to keep alive her handsome fiancé, who has proven more than willing to play the part of her lover even as he resists her attempts to save him.

Thank you, Maggi, for chatting with me today. I want you perfectly comfortable, so picture your favorite place in the world. Now, can you tell us a little bit about the place you’ve pictured?

I’ve visited a friend in her home in Richmond, England many times. The lovely historic town nestling beside the Thames River is often featured in my books. The ton during Regency times traveled from London to picnic in the park where King Henry VIII used to hunt deer. Deer still roam the park. The view from Richmond Hill takes in the graceful bend of the Thames which has been painted by many famous artists.

That sounds wonderful. I’ve been to London once and would love to back. What was the last book you read that made a lasting impression on you?

Seven Nights in a Rogues Bed by Anna Campbell. I really enjoy her writing and her characters are wonderful.

I’ll have to check that out. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

It took me some years. But I studied the craft and honed my voice, so that time wasn’t wasted.

Most excellent. Craft study is the first thing on my agenda everyday. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

To have my family around me, all happy and in perfect health.

I completely agree with you and I love that you added healthy. We’ve all suffered with colds this last month. We are very ready for spring. What turns you on creatively?

My mother was an artist. I’ve inherited her love of color, interior design, architecture (especially Georgian) art and sculpture. These things often feature in my books. Old black and white movies can sometimes give me ideas for a story.

My mother used to paint and I keep bugger her to pick her brushes back up. She’s quite talented. Old black and whites, interesting, a new source for plot bunnies I’ll need to check out. What quality do you most admire in a man?

Humor and warmth.

What quality do you most admire in a woman?

Kindness.

I read in your bio that you support the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals) and that animals are often feature in your books. Can you tell us a little more about this?

Cats and dogs frequently appear in my stories. In A Baron in Her Bed, Horatia rides her father’s magnificent black stallion, The General, without his knowledge.

In my Victorian novella, How To Tame a Rake, Wilhelmina adopts a fox cub, annoying her reluctant fiancé Blake, no end. Here’s a bit:

Spying a statue on a plinth in the distance, Willy strode towards it. Before she reached it, she saw something lying stretched out on the grass. At first, she thought it a pile of autumn leaves. On closer inspection, she found a fox cub. As she knelt down to him, he lifted his head, his dark eyes pleading.

“Oh, you poor, poor thing,” she said, stroking the red-gold coat. How beautiful he was. He’d hurt a leg, probably in one of those horrid traps. It was broken, dangling at an odd angle. She knew just what to do about it. She’d splinted one of her dogs back home when he broke his leg jumping from a high wall.

Picking the cub up carefully, she cradled him against her chest. He didn’t struggle. Perhaps he knew that she was a friend, or was too weak to care.

Willy carried him along the path. As she rounded the corner of the house, she came face to face with Blake.

“I’m glad to see you out and about,” he began. He looked surprised. “What on earth do you have there?”

“A fox cub. He’s hurt his leg. I’ll have to splint it.”

“You’ll do what?”

“A splint. You use a straight piece of …”

“I know what a splint is, Willy! But this is fox hunting country. We can’t keep a fox here.”

“Why not? When his leg is healed he will go and join the other foxes.” Her lip trembled. “And then you can hunt him down and kill him.”

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My children, grown up now.

Aw, I love that. My kids are still young and I totally can see where you’re coming from. They’re the most important thing to me. Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on now?

I’ve just completed Taming a Gentleman Spy – Book Two of The Spies of Mayfair Series. The hero is John Haldane, Earl of Strathairn, the heroine, Lady Sibella Winborne, who comes from a very large family. I’ve grown quite fond of them all, including her acerbic mother, and would like to write more books about them.

Here’s a taste (unedited):

Lord Strathairn picked a full creamy bloom and held it out to her. “You look lovely tonight, Lady Sibella.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

“I always enjoy seeing your mother.”

“Do you? Not everyone does. She is very plain spoken.”

“That is what I like about her.”

“Have you been visiting your estates?”

He leant over her to brush away a branch scattering petals. “You’re remarkably inquisitive this evening. Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps because you are a bit of a mystery. You intend it that way, I suspect.”

“We’ve discussed most of my past: my schooling, Eton, then Oxford, and the army.”

“I know only what you wish me to.” She couldn’t explain the feeling she’d always had that his life held more excitement than he revealed. Would he be content concentrating on mundane matters after his years away at war? A keen rider herself, but surely even horses had limited appeal. “It’s just …do you miss the army life?”

“Many men find it hard to settle down. I admit to suffering that for a while.”

“But you’re settled…now?”

“As much as I wish to be.”

She glanced at his profile for a sign of annoyance. She was too inquisitive. He always affected her so.

I am now working on Book three, What a Rakes Wants.

Thank you, Maggi. That was fun.

EXCERPT:

“This is a dance with which I’m familiar,” the baron said, drawing her close in his arms. “We danced it in Paris long before it came to England.”

She supposed he considered England far behind Paris in most things fashionable. Finding herself pressed up against his hard chest produced the memory of how it looked unclothed. Her breath caught, and she wriggled within his arm. “We do not dance this close in England, my lord.”

He let her go in surprise then took up the pose again, leaving space between them. “Merci. I did not know. You have saved me from making a faux pas.”

She suspected he knew quite well, for the devilry in his eyes betrayed him. “You might learn by observing others, my lord,” she admonished him.

At least now she could breathe. But this was unlike the night they had spent together, when her disguise had protected her. Did he find her attractive?

She had no idea if his charm was merely part of his personality. It shouldn’t matter, for he would choose a bride from the aristocracy, but somehow it did.

His hand at her waist, guiding her, made her recall their time in the hut and his indecent revelations of lovemaking. Her breath quickened at the thought of such an act perpetrated by him on some woman, and even possibly her. His proximity and the strength and pure maleness of him overwhelmed her.

Breathing in the familiar woody Bergamot scent, intermingled with starched linen and soap, she closed her eyes, but that made her dizzy. After examining his masterfully tied cravat adorned with a sapphire pin the color of his eyes, she raised her eyes to his. “I have not seen a cravat tied in that way before. What is it called?”

He smiled down at her. “I believe it is called Trone d’Armour.” The style hailed from France most likely. He was different from the English in other ways too. The French had a disconcerting way of looking at someone. Was he the real Baron Fortescue or an impostor?

March 20 Review KY Bunnies Blog http://www.blog.kybunnies.com/
March 22 Review My Reading Obsession http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/
March 25 Interview S.J. Maylee http://SJMaylee.com
March 28 Review Lynnareynolds http://lynnareynolds.wordpress.com/
April 1 Interview My World www.xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.com
April 2 Interview “A Writer’s Thoughts” http://kathrynrblake.blogspot.com
April 4 SnifferWalk Review http://snifferwalk.com
April 5 Interview Grinelda Markowitz Erotic Writing http://grineldamarkowitz.wordpress.com/

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Sony | Kobo

BIO:

I am an Australian author with a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. My lawyer husband and I live in a pretty, historical town in the Southern Highlands with our spoiled Persian cat, plus the assorted wildlife we feed: chickens wander in from next door and give us lovely eggs, ducks swim in our pool, parrots and possums line up for bananas and seed. I write historical romance, contemporary romantic suspense and young adult novels.

@MaggiAndersen

Rafflecopter Code for Tour Wide Giveaway:

Giveaway is a $20 Amazon card plus the winners choice of 2 of her books!!

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Weekend Writing Warriors – Eyes Shut and Missing Out

Posted on March 24, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Welcome friends new and old. I’m going to give you a couple more posts from the WIP I’ve been sharing before I move onto something new.

In the Blind (working title), and you can see the past posts from this WIP here. The Logline: When a head hunter finds her dream lover in a night of pitch black unrestrained passion, she fears she’ll never find him again. Fate steps in and throws the two together, but they might never discover the truth and stay in the blind.

Over the past few weeks I’ve shared Jane’s experience at Club Blind and her business opportunity that put her in touch with Rob. Last Week and the week before we spent with Rob. Now I’m bringing the two together. This week, Jane is lost in thought. While she waits for Rob, she kicks out her nerves by remembering her night at Club Blind. Rob has just arrived at the coffee shop, he has his cup of coffee, and now he’s got to get Jane’s attention.

Jane blacked out her thoughts, closed her eyes and remembered how she felt Saturday night. She didn’t need to see anything to feel his hand stroking her thigh or relive his warm mouth sucking her clit. Would she ever get a night like that again? Would she ever meet a man like him?”

“Jane, it’s good to see you.”

“Oh. Hi, Rob, thanks for meeting me. What can I get you to drink?”

Opps. Open your eyes, Jane. See the man right in front of you. I mean, he has his coffee already 😉

Hope you enjoyed my eight today. Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot to me that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Don’t forget to check out the other Weekend Warriors, and Saturday Spankings too.

ROW80 check-in #55 Lessons Learned

Posted on March 24, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Click to find links to the other ROW80 participants

Another round of 80-days is coming to an end this week. I refined my routine and made great strides in some places and others still need improvement.

I restarted my Margie packet and got through 7-lectures in Empowering Character Emotions. I lost ground while I was sick, but I’m still hoping to finish this packet and start the next BEFORE the second round of 80-days begins. Starting my day with craft study has become a habit this round and it’s such a good thing. I’m very pleased. I read one other craft book this round too.

This round I also I helped my CP with 3 manuscripts, I added 10k to my newest WIP to finish it and took it through several editing passes before sending it off to my CP. I read 12-books this round and hope to top that next round. Lots of great reads in my ereader right now.

I have many things to be proud of in this round however progress in my Nia studies is not one of them. I’m still not finding the time for this goal, but I’m not giving up on it. Do you have something you never get to in your week? Since I’m not getting to it, I really should try to work it into my schedule on Monday. Oh boy.

I’m most proud of my full request though. It’s my first, hopefully not my last, and it still puts a smile on my face. I also became a year older, had great fun with friends, saw a concert, and went skiing. Not shabby round one.

How did the last couple of months go for you? What are you going to try and improve in the next 80-days?

The Goals – week-11 results

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done.
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. Finished my CPs WIP, started on edits from her on my WIP, and finished lecture-7 in my Margie packet.
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- done.
Daily Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- kind of done. I spent time reviewing my past progress and got reacquainted with the Sanjana choreography.
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. I finished several deposits and attended a Board meeting.
Organize something in the house each week- done. My family is doing me a solid, they’re coming to my house for Easter. Yeah! Oh no, I have to host Easter. I’ve been in crazy planning mode all week. I made these bags for the Easter egg hunt, I’ve made a few other things too. I’ve planned the meal. It’s a lot of work to hold a family function, but it will be worth it

What you might have missed here this week:

Spotlight: His Allure, Her Passion by Juliana Haygert

Looking forward to the next round of 80-days.

Spotlight: His Allure, Her Passion by Juliana Haygert

Posted on March 20, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

I have all the details today on Juliana Haygerts latest book, His Allure, Her Passion. Click the pretty cover to see it on Goodreads. In this post you’ll find all the different ways to connect with Juliana, also the blurb, an excerpt, and the Rafflecopter code for the blitz giveaway, and the buy links. Enjoy.

His Allure, Her Passion

by Juliana Haygert

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publication date: March 20, 2013
Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Goodreads | NA Alley

@Juliana_Haygert

BLURB:

In his father’s eyes, Dylan Deveraux is just a playboy spending the family fortune on prostitutes, alcohol, and fast cars. And it isn’t even with the cars his father produces. Because of that, his father forbids his presence at the ball that will mark the launch of the US plant of his company, strategically scheduled on Valentine’s Day.

Hayley Allen is a failing model with the worse luck in the world. She always ends up in the hands of cruel designers and photographers. At least, that’s what she tells herself. Better than admit having a weak nervous system that always reacted during her gigs. Desperate, she would do anything to help her career.

Dylan shows up at her door, wasted as usual. Friends for a long time, Hayley is the only one able to put up with Dylan’s bullshit, and he appreciates that, but not the way her heart wants.

Even though he doesn’t believe in Valentine’s Day, Dylan has an idea for his father’s ball. When he suggests a deal to Hayley, a deal that could finally put her in the spotlight of success and help him impress his father, she doesn’t hesitate. Even if it means hurting her heart a little more.

EXCERPT:

On tiptoes, Dylan crossed the short corridor and found Hayley sleeping on the couch. She looked peaceful, but he doubted she was really comfortable there. The pillow was on the floor, the comforter pressed in between her legs and arms, as if she was hugging it, her delicate feet propped on the arm of the couch. Her long amber hair fell around her shoulders, her tank top had ridden up, showing a piece of her soft midriff skin, and her breasts barely fit inside her tight top.

Shit. He turned his back to her, ashamed at having stared at her body.

But it was such a nice body, how could he resist? He peeked at her over his shoulder. He didn’t understand how she wasn’t a famous model yet. She was so, so beautiful.

He smiled, remembering the first time he saw her. They were at a party, and he spent over six hours trying to woo her, but she didn’t fall for his bullshit. No girl had ever resisted him—except Hayley. She was the first and only. And that’s how their friendship was born. Even though his instinct was to try and kiss her and sleep with her each time he saw her, Dylan had found a true friend in her, and for that he put his physical needs aside. She was the only one who understood his problems, his dark moments, who endured him, who saw past the bullshit, and didn’t throw herself at him. More importantly, she didn’t care about his fortune.

Hayley stirred, moaned, and opened her eyes. “What are you smiling about?”

Was he smiling? “Nothing.” He sat in an armchair beside the couch. As she sat up, she pulled the comforter up to hide herself. “Hey, hmm, sorry. I didn’t mean to take your bed.”

“I know.” She smiled and her green eyes shone.

“Was I too much of a jerk?”

“The usual.”

Their eyes locked and she lost her smile. There was so much he wanted to tell her, so much shit about his life, but he was always afraid he’d push her away if she found out every one of his little messes. Wouldn’t it be better, though? For her? To be away from him and his bad influence? But then who would give him pep talks and receive drunken him with open arms in the wee hours of the night? Who would tell him everything would be okay? Who would give him a hug when he was down because of his brother? He had driven many, many times from Princeton to New York just to have one of those hugs.

She was one of those rare jewels and he couldn’t afford to lose her.

Feeling like a coward, Dylan averted his gaze.

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BUY LINKS

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

BIO:
Juliana Haygert

Juliana is a Brazilian girl living in Connecticut.

She would love to be Wonder Woman, Cheetara, Elektra, Buffy, Phoebe, She-ra, Rose, Korra, Cornelia, a blood elf shadow priest, and other various kick-ass female from books, comics, TV series, movies, and games, but she settles for—the less exciting but equally gratifying life—a wife, mother, friend and a writer. Her heroines are like the ones cited above and she also writes about the heroes who drive them crazy—and occasionally hot.

Since her first stories, she wrote about 20-something year old protagonists, and today she’s part of NA Alley, a blog dedicated to New Adult.

Weekend Writing Warriors – Nerves and Romance

Posted on March 17, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Welcome friends new and old. I submitted a WIP late last year (my first submission ever) and this week it got a full request. Squee!! Would you dance with me a little. Thanks. 😀

Over the past few weeks I’ve shared Jane’s experience at Club Blind and her business opportunity that put her in touch with Rob. Last Week We met Rob and his best friend. Rob’s just a little excited to see Jane again. Now I give you 8 more from the end of their conversation.

“Thank you, you were right, and now I’ve got a hot date.”

“You’ve got a business meeting. Don’t mess it up.”

Rob hung up the phone and picked up his basketball, rolling the ball around in his hands, he paced the room. Concern took over his excitement. He would mess everything up if he didn’t tell Jane about Gina. There had to be a way to tell the woman you wanted about the woman you no longer loved. He’d hoped to have a first date with Jane before he had to bring up his ex-wife.

“Shit, I am going to mess this up.”

Somebody’s nervous. Next week I promise to give you a snippet from when Jane and Rob meet. Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot to me that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Don’t forget to check out the other Weekend Warriors, and Saturday Spankings too. I hope to see you again next Sunday.

ROW80 check-in #54 Forced Vacation

Posted on March 17, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Click to find links to the other ROW80 participants

I was knocked down by illness this week. My oldest got it first and the next day it took over my body. I spent all of Tuesday in bed. I can’t remember the last time I slept that much. I dragged myself out of bed on Wednesday, my muscles protested but I forced their hand. Turns out, I should have listen to them, it wasn’t long before I was back in bed. I’m still working on building up my energy. I swear my youngest has gained ten-pounds this week, but the hubs is telling me no. I’m still pretty weak and I have no appetite, but I need to eat to build my strength. It’s an uncomfortable circle right now. It’s also been a monster of a week. Now my youngest has a fever. Seriously. Spring, where are you.

The week wasn’t a total fail, nope. Wednesday, when I dragged myself out of bed, I found a full request in my inbox. That’s right, A FULL REQUEST!! 😀

It seems the world went right on spinning while I was in bed. Veronica Mars is going to be a movie, totally awesome. We have a new pope too, rad.

My effort this week on goals is pretty much nonexistent. It stressed me out at first and then I stopped feeling guilty about it. My system was refusing to negotiate anyway. The only thing I can do is listen to me, get better, and start fresh this week. Have you had a forced vacation recently?

The Goals – week-10 results

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done.
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting- not done. The only progress I made here was some reading on my CPs latest WIP on Saturday. WEEK 11 PRIORITY.
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- not done WEEK 11 PRIORITY.
Daily Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- not done WEEK 11 PRIORITY
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. I finished an important letter and made several deposits.
Organize something in the house each week- done. I’ve talked about making improvements to my work-space and last week I had another idea. Friday I did force myself out of the house for some fresh air and I picked up a few supplies. My husband has a Container Store run to make for me and then I should be good to give this idea a try.

What you might have missed here this week:

Review: Corporate Temptress by Stacey Kennedy

Posted on March 11, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

I have a very special treat for you. Today I’m shining the spotlight on Stacey Kennedy and her latest release, Corporate Temptress. Below you’ll find all the book details, the beautiful cover (click it to see the book on Goodreads), the blurb, my review, excerpt, the buy links, Stacey’s bio and all the places you can find her on the web. Enjoy.

Corporate Temptress

by: Stacey Kennedy

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
ISBN: 9781419941092
Length: Novelette
Heat Level: Sizzling (BDSM Elements)
Release date: January 30, 2013
Price: $2.99

BLURB:

Evan needs to finalize the details of an important merger. Problem is, the deal has come to a standstill because of the rival company’s drop-dead gorgeous CEO. Frustrated as he is with the woman, Evan can’t keep his mind off Brooke’s overt sexuality. He demands she sign the paperwork or the deal is dead. But Brooke has demands of her own. She’ll sign the contract…for one night of no-strings sex.

That’s a lusty merger Evan can’t possibly refuse.

SJ’s REVIEW:

This is erotica done extremely well. I’m a big fan of Stacey Kennedy, love her voice. This is my first EC for men read and it’s obvious men will love reading this quick story told from the man’s POV. BUT, take notice ladies, you’ll love this too. It’s hot, yes, it’s smoken, plus the story has characters you’ll love. Brooke is definitely a temptress, she’s a powerful heroine and does not shy from taking what she wants. The story builds and builds and explodes at the perfect time. It’s quick, it’s hot, and it’s easy to recommend to both men and women. I give Corporate Temptress five-stars.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

EXCERPT:

Evan Marshall slowly stood from his seat, glaring down the long table of executives. “You accept now, or the deal is dead.”

Brooke Silverwood, CEO of Silverwood Bayes, a research and development investment company, leaned forward, giving him a full view of her cleavage. “I do believe we can do without the threats, Mr. Marshall.”

While this merger would bring together two powerful companies—his successful business, Marshall & Pasley, a research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company, and Brooke’s multimillion dollar enterprise—the endless back and forth about the merger grated on his last nerve.

More to the point, each hour spent with her only increased his frustrations. He’d grown tired of being teased by her, whether she was aware of it or not. If something didn’t break soon, he’d bend her over that table, lift her skirt and bury himself deep into her cunt.

Too bad for him an ugly truth remained—business before pleasure, something he had to continually remind himself of. This deal would secure his company. His cock held no place in these discussions.

At his continuing silence, Brooke gave him a sassy smile then she glanced around the room, focusing on each of the men who made up her team. “Let me speak with Mr. Marshall alone for a minute.” Gesturing toward the door, she continued in her husky voice, “Leave us.”

Without hesitation, her team left the modern office and Evan snorted. Being a CEO of his own company, he could understand the power she held, but he wouldn’t have responded to her in that quick of a fashion.

Even over the past days, she held quite the presence and he admired that about her. But he wanted to teach the woman that not every man bent to her will. And he wanted to give her the lesson with her naked and beneath him.

Realizing his thoughts had once again traveled to a place he shouldn’t go, he stretched his neck, focusing his mind back into his brain instead of in his pants. He should never have offered to flesh out the details of the merger and should’ve sent his business partner Robert Pasley instead. Then he wouldn’t have suffered a 24/7 hard-on for days now, nor would he have spent every night and morning jerking off to ease the tension.

Robert had dealt with the merger up until this point, since he always managed the business end. Evan handled the employees and other in-office details. The partnership worked. This shit wasn’t anything he preferred.

As the thought raced through his mind, he also knew exactly why he’d come to New York City. His dick had led him there. That deep, sensual tone of Brooke’s on the telephone meetings had been the entire reason he came instead of Robert. He’d had to meet this woman.

Only problem?

The fantasy of her he’d built in his mind didn’t compare to the reality. He suspected that raspy voice wouldn’t belong to an attractive woman. Brooke, with her long, straight dark hair, womanly figure and pouty lips that he’d imagined sucking him off—a few times over—stunned him.

However, his marvel of her lasted a day. Now she merely frustrated him to no end, teasing him every day with her tight skirts, shirts that always fell open to show off her tits and her sexy legs.

Giving his head a shake to clear it, he watched her. Brooke remained at the head of the table, her baby blues lined with black makeup staying focused on him. “Mr. Marshall, I’m in agreement over the merger.”

“I’m glad to hear it, Ms. Silverwood.”

Her eyebrows rose at the obvious bite to his voice before her seductive grin slid back into place. “Before we close the deal, I believe there are some final details to work out.”

She stood from her seat then strode toward the door. His focus went straight to her heart-shaped ass clad in a black skirt, which hugged all her fine curves. Exactly how he liked his women; an ass that could take a pounding without fear he’d break her.

As he watched her strut, his dick twitched at the way her hips swayed. She might have moved with such grace without realizing it, but he didn’t much care. He’d love to see that body sliding so elegantly over his, drenched in sweat from a seriously good screw.

When she locked the office door, his semi-hard cock went rock-hard. What’s she up to? She turned back to him and her blue eyes had darkened, those sensual lips of hers parted. He straightened his back, tightening his fists at his sides as heat pooled into his groin.

“Now that we’re alone, we can agree on a few conditions.” Her voice had somehow grown throatier and his cock acknowledged the power her voice had over him by throbbing.

He followed her every step as she approached him. Those longs legs, perfect silky calves and fuck-me heels that brought his thoughts to X-rated places delighted him. “Conditions?”

She unbuttoned her suit jacket then tossed it onto one of the chairs. His mouth went dry. Her pink silk top hung delicately over her luscious frame. She had round and soft breasts that he could bury his face into and curves that no woman should possess, since they could be his undoing.

Once in front of him, she stared intently, angling her head up to meet his gaze, since she was a good bit shorter than he. “I’ll sign the deal. Merge the companies. But you have one condition to meet before I do.”

Am I imagining this?

The woman was a corporate temptress—not only did she succeed in business, but she succeeded in the art of seduction. He found himself captivated. From her husky voice to the confident twinkle in her gaze and even her choice of clothing appeared to tease a man. But was she coming on to him or was this wishful thinking?

He swallowed, refusing his instincts to grab on to her and see if her mouth tasted as good as it looked. “Again, what conditions?”

“The issue between us.”

He inhaled, catching a whiff of her sweet perfume, but beneath it, all he scented was aroused woman. “Issue?”

She slid her finger up his forearm in a slow, seductive caress and he tensed. “Now now, Evan. I never took you for a man who didn’t see things for how they are.” Her gaze followed the path her finger took and heat rushed through his veins. “You think I haven’t noticed how you fuck me with your eyes.”

Her blunt statement tightened his muscles. Women never spoke that like. Not unless he dreamed of it, then fantasized over it later. But what game was she playing? First she’d teased him for days and now she increased it? “Point being?”

“Well, you see,” her fingernail continued to trail up his arm, “for us to continue with this merger, we can’t have this distraction.”

That rich tone of hers drifted over him, making his desires rear up. The tickle from her nail awakened the part of him that wanted to bang her ruthlessly. Right now the merger happened to be the last thing on his mind.

“This deal will merge two top companies together and we need to focus to see it succeed.” Her gaze lifted and her tongue slid across her lip, drawing his focus to her luscious mouth. “How can we focus with this sexual tension between us?”

He paused, considering if he’d heard her correctly. Had the blood rushing to his cock somehow switched off his mind? “How do you want to fix that?”

She put her hand on his chest and as she slid it down his stomach, he gritted his teeth. That light touch of hers continued until she cupped his erection. “You get the merger.” She stroked him slowly. “I get this.”

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BIO:

Stacey Kennedy’s novels are lighthearted fantasy with heart-squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even give a good chuckle every now and again. But within the stories you’ll also find fast-paced action, life-threatening moments, and a big bad villain who needs to be destroyed. She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband and two children. If she’s not plugging away at a new story—which is rare because her muse is annoying—you’ll find her camping, curling up with the latest flick, or obsessing over Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural and Dexter.

Stacey welcomes comments from readers. You can find her at:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Goodreads ~ Amazon

@Stacey_Kennedy

Weekend Writing Warriors – She Called

Posted on March 10, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Welcome friends new and old. I’m giving you 8 from my hero’s POV as promised. I kept my other promise this week too, I’ve sent this MS to my CP. Wahoo!

Over the past few weeks I’ve shared Jane’s experience at Club Blind. Last Week Jane kept her mind from drifting to her mystery man, from the club, by working on a job opening for a VIP client. She met the perfect match for the job last month at a technology conference. She got Rob to agree to a meet. Lucky for us the first thing Rob does is call his best friend, Marcus.

“Marcus, she called.”

“Who is this?”

“Stop it, you know what I’m talking about.” He opened his closet and searched for the right suit.

“You think? You’ve only managed to squeeze Jane into almost every conversation since that convention.”

“No, I have not.”

“Do you want a recap?”

Sounds like those boys like to give each other a good ribbing. So, Rob has been thinking about Jane, very interesting. Do you want 8-more from this WIP next week? I could give you 8 from when Jane and Rob met or should I give you something from an entirely new WIP?

Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot to me that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Don’t forget to check out the other Weekend Warriors, and Saturday Spankings too. I hope to see you again next Sunday.

ROW80 check-in #53 Laughter and a Promise

Posted on March 10, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Click to find links to the other ROW80 participants

What would you do if you opened your front door on a Sunday afternoon and found your two best friends who you haven’t seen in over a year?

I’ll tell you what I’d do, because I did it last Sunday. I screamed, I hugged, and then I started to cry. Some surprises are down right fabulous. Last weekend I ~~survived~~ celebrated another birthday and my prince of a husband contacted my two besties and asked for something he knew I wanted. They both live a couple hours away and I hardly ever get to see them. It was one of the best days ever. We talked and laughed for over five hours. We reminisced about our crazy teenage years, experiences we’ve shared and missed over the years, and we supported each other.

Those two girls have my back and I know they always will no matter what. Not much can lift your spirits than knowing something like that for certain. I’ve made some good friends through the years and many of them I’ve met over the past year since starting this blog. Thank you for being here, I appreciate each of you.

When I started this journey I set many goals for myself. We all know anything worth fighting for is worth waiting for. There is no better time to remind yourself of that than when you come up against a hurdle or when you get knocked down. I’ve come a long way in the past year, but I have many hurdles and hoops to go.

The next hurdle I come to, I’m going to remember my two friends, remember how they have my back. I’ll keep picking myself up and I’ll keep going. At each hurdle I’ll take the time to figure out if what I’m doing is still putting me in the path towards my goals. If not, I’ll change my path, but I’ll keep going. This is my promise to me, my birthday gift to me.

Have you had a happy surprise recently? How do you push past hurdles put in your path? Have you made a promise to yourself lately?

The Goals – week-9 results

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done.
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. I finished the sixth Lecture in my Margie Packet. I finished editing my WIP and sent it to the CP. I also got a WIP I haven’t finished loaded into Scrivener, I’m hoping to finally figure out the end.
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- DONE.
Daily Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- kind of done. This week I enjoyed new movement and got lost in the joy of dancing in my bodies way. WEEK 10 PRIORITY
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. I finished some additional reporting this week and attended a parent meeting. Finally an easier week.
Organize something in the house each week- done. My parents came up this weekend. While I organized my work space (the dining room table) in preparation for their arrival, I had an idea for how to better organize the paperwork I keep around me. I’m looking forward to making some simple purchases that will neaten my workspace and make it easier to clear the space when needed. I also cleaned out my frig, gave it a good scrub. So nice when you can see all the yummies.