Weekend Writing Warriors – She Should Have Known

Click the logo for the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Click the logo for the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Blog Invite

Click here for my blog hop post.

Welcome friends old and new. I’m glad you came. Today, I’m sharing from my story Unravel Me in the Evernight Publishing anthology, Executive Assistant. It was released in June and contains several hot office romances. Also, Evernight is holding a end of summer sale, click on the sale pic below to jump over to their site.

THIS SNIPPET: Mary and Colin have moved past her interview and right into temptation. Enjoy!

She twirled her hair around her fingers. “I should have known you were a Dom.”

“What should have clued you in?” He dipped his head and nibbled on her ear.

“Your directness probably and then you ah… Oh.” Her taut nipples scraped against his chest. She leaned into him as he moved down her neck and bit the junction at her shoulder.

“What else?”

Unravel Me BLURB:

executive-assistant 300x200Mary is determined not to be distracted by the devilishly handsome Colin whose business deal is halting a much needed park. Armed with a plan, she tries to ignore her growing attraction.

After reading her resume, Colin believes Mary isn’t right for him or his office. However, he’s about to risk his biggest business deal yet when Mary knocks him off his game. The pair gives in to their growing desires, but Mary’s plan might unravel everything they’ve been building.

Be Warned: spanking, paddles, BDSM

click to see Executive Assistant on Goodreads

ISBN: 978-1-77130-892-2

Where you can find EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT:

Amazon | Evernight Publishing

All Romance ebooks | Bookstrand

Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Amazon.es

click to see my page at Evernight Publishing

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, the Snippet Sunday Facebook Group, and Saturday Spankings too.

In the Pages of a Good Book Blog Hop – Celebrating Friendships

Blog InviteThrough the years I’ve made and lost many friends, but those I’ve met through my love of books are so very dear to me. Like my girlfriends from childhood, my book girlfriends get a part of me that many others can’t seem to reach. That’s right, with our noses stuck in the pages of a good book we found something to enjoy, to love, and to bring us together.

So, cheers to all the friends I’ve met along the way and especially to Beckey White and for all she does in and around her fabulous blog. Here’s to that book we love and that book we haven’t yet met. The future looks very bright.

Glasses with champagne against fireworks and clock close to midnI’d like to share with you my latest heroine, Janna. I like to think of her as my girlfriend. In fact, in this book you see her form a friendship with the heroine from book one in my Love Projects series and with Anne too. She’ll be the heroine of book four. I suspect they’ll be inseparable by then. Back to Janna, she’s fighting for not just her career but the potential love of her life. She has the kind of courage I dream about. I learned a lot from her.

TC2 Banner 2

 

Excerpt from what happens after this quote:

“Can we start over?”

“I hope you’re ready for the meeting. I don’t like my time wasted.” He leered at her with what looked like unrestrained disgust.

“I don’t deserve this. I know I shouldn’t have forgotten to tell you it was my first scene, and for that, I am sorry.” She’d done it. She’d admitted her fault in the matter. Would he let her off the hook? His mocking stare told her she was wasting her time. “I was ready for the scene, and you have to admit it went well.”

“I don’t have to admit anything, and I have no time for liars.”

It was a sucker punch, but she let it land. Her shoulders sagged with the weight of his revulsion. She hadn’t been open and honest. She hadn’t meant to leave out the truth, or had she done it on purpose?

She had been frightened of his rejection or being talked out of the scene, a scene that gave her necessary answers. A scene she desperately wanted repeated. But she was wasting her time. She’d have to find a way to push through with her professionalism and pray he didn’t give her any trouble.

“Well, I guess that’s it then.” She waited a couple heartbeats in one last hope he’d change his answer. “Thanks for listening.”

She turned and concentrated on getting to the door.

“Wait—shit.”

Tears welled up and threatened to escape, so she quickened her pace. She got her hand on the doorknob, and his hand landed on the door next to her face.

“I said wait.”

taking-courage400x267BLURB:

Janna’s ready to make over her life and get out from under the controlling thumb of her father. She doesn’t want another failed arranged marriage. She’s ready to do whatever it takes for the career she wants, enter the lifestyle she craves, and to earn the trust and love of the man that has captured her heart, but heartbreak and career hiccups seem to be her destiny.

Simon’s still recovering after his last submissive lied her way into his life. He’s not ready for Janna and how she pushes against his prejudices. He needs to decide if he’s willing to lose her or if he’ll fight for her love and submission.

click to see TAKING COURAGE on Goodreads

WHERE YOU CAN FIND TAKING COURAGE:

Evernight Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

All Romance eBooks | BookStrand | Smashwords | iTunes

Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

Now, for all the giveaways. 😀 The hop is on through Sunday. I’ll pick my winners Monday morning.

I’ll be giving away one copy of any of my released ebooks (international) and one swag pack (US only).

To enter, leave a comment on this post about book friendships.

SJ's first four

Click this Rafflecopter link to enter the giveaway for a Kindle!
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Click this Rafflecopter link to enter the giveaway of books and gift cards
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Click this Rafflecopter link to enter the promo giveaway for authors
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Now, it’s time to hop on to the other participating blogs. Have Fun!
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Weekend Writing Warriors – When Lydia Licks His Finger

Click the logo for the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Click the logo for the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Welcome friends old and new. I’m glad you came. Today, I’m sharing from my birthday baby, the first in my Love Projects series, TAKING CHANCES. That’s right, yesterday my debut turned one. Happy First Authorversary to me!

THIS WEEK: Jake has return to the conference room, after his cold shower, to find Lydia in the middle of eating messy barbecue. Enjoy.

Before he could stop himself, he sat beside her, and his inquisitive finger reached out and rubbed the corner of her mouth. His finger hovered between them, an inch from her mouth. She licked her lips, and seconds ticked by. Nothing in the room captured his attention but her devilish mouth. Her tongue reached out and licked his finger. It took forever for his hand to return to his side. The air between them had become thick with heat. He couldn’t tear his sight from her beautiful eyes.

I think it’s time for them to give in a take a chance. Don’t you agreee? 🙂 I know when they give in and I also know how hot it gets too. *fans self* You can know too. Pick up your own copy of TAKING CHANCES and find out everything today.

BLURB:

takingchances1mLydia’s father walked away from her when she was eight. She’s struggled to not let him affect her, but fears she wasn’t loveable enough to make him stay. Jake wants to love one woman, but after scaring the last woman he met outside of the club, he doubts he deserves the right. She protects her heart by sticking with her fantasies and he lives by a set of rules that excludes women who choose a vanilla lifestyle.

The two will be kept in a conference room working together until their special project is complete. If Lydia and Jake hold tight to their bland lives, they’ll always yearn for love that is out of reach. Together they find common ground, passion, and a reason to take chances. Once they discover the grand possibilities of the love they desire, they find themselves in the very place they tried never to be again, facing unguaranteed loved.

click to see TAKING CHANCES on Goodreads

Where you can find TAKING CHANCES:

Evernight | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

BookStrand | All Romance Ebooks | Kobo | iTunes | Smashwords

Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Nook UK

Jake 2 new

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, the Snippet Sunday Facebook Group, and Saturday Spankings too.

Happy First Authorversary to Me

One year ago today, my debut, TAKING CHANCES, was released. *throws confetti and serves cake*

pink cake

The last 365 days have kind of been a blur. The ups and downs of being an author are pretty relentless. It’s like the train keeps moving and I keep running along with it. I’m exhausted and exhilarated at the same time and I love it.

I’m extremely excited to share that I recently signed my fifth contract with Evernight Publishing. 😀 More on that news just below.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND BOOKS BY S.J. MAYLEE:
Evernight Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
All Romance eBooks | BookStrand

Coming-SoonIn 2013, I published two books. After In the Blind releases in October, I’ll have released three books in 2014. So, what do I see in store for 2015? I’m hoping for at least four new releases. I’m not crossing my fingers, I’m simply going to keep getting my butt in this chair and enjoy the process.

I’m actually getting very close to finishing the next story I’d like to submit. The first in a series I’ve been calling Relentless. It’s about assassins and their sweethearts. It needs just a handful of new scenes. In the coming weeks, untangleme 300I’ll tease you with it on Wednesdays.

Very soon on Sundays, I’ll start sharing little snippets from In the Blind. I have a little bit about this story on my Coming Soon page. Like, Untangle Me and Unravel Me, this story fits in between my Love Projects books. It is the love story of Jane, the head hunter from Unravel Me, and Rob who is Gina’s ex-husband.

If you haven’t read my books yet, Gina is the trouble taking-courage300x200maker from Taking Chances and actually a little in Taking Courage too. She is also the heroine in the third Love Projects book. Gina is a piece of work. You’ve only seen a little of the trouble she can cause. I can’t wait to get back to her story and finish it up. Her and Marcus have already taken me on a wild ride. I’ll just say that you have no idea who Gina is, but Marcus is starting to learn.

After Gina and Marcus, I’ll finish the second Relentless story. Then, I’ll write Anne and Keller’s story, the forth Love Projects book. Their story blows me away. Talk about love and devotion. Yum. Taking Chances 200x300Yum. Yum!

Today is about my very first book birthday. This journey started with Lydia. The shy girl that knew what she wanted and had no idea how to ask for it. She certainly didn’t start out with Janna’s courage. I may not write heroines that have their lives all together or know exactly what to say, but neither do I, lol. I’d like to share with you the first couple of pages from my birthday baby. Next month, I’ll be sharing the whole first chapter at Evernight Publishing’s new blog.

The First Pages of TAKING CHANCES:

Lydia’s boss stared the team down. She squirmed in her seat and worked to contain her fidget. The glower she recognized. Mr. Keller’s fiery gaze swept over every person in the conference room. Praying he would skim right past her, she shrank a smidge in her seat. The transition to their new product management database had bombed. He wanted someone to blame.

The team worked hard, and yet dozens of things had gone wrong, but no one deserved to get chucked under the bus. Politics was never a strong suit for Lydia, and neither was talking in front of a group. Who would enjoy sweating profusely and forgetting all words except ah and um?

The threat of humiliation fired through her, making her eager for a solution. If she could figure out a way to shift the meeting away from the possibility of someone getting fired, she’d relax. An idea rolled about in her head, but not even a drop of courage lingered within her reach.

“Keller, the policies and procedures need strength and substance if we’re going to move forward as a team with our new system.” Jake pushed back from the table.

She needed to add mind-reading to the list of Jake’s gifts. She’d had the exact idea. It wasn’t the first time he offered a solution she’d been contemplating. It often left her with the idea they’d get along well, which was ludicrous. Men like Jake didn’t pay attention to a woman like Lydia. Hesitation was more her style, and it certainly wasn’t Jake’s. As a department director, he made things happen, and along the way he intimidated the heck out of her.

Of course she’d never been alone in a room with Jake, never even had a casual conversation. Fortunately, he never sought her out. Whenever Jake neared, her pulse raced, and naughty ideas filled her mind. Her fascination with him had started on her first day with the company over a year ago.

The sidewalks had been a mess of snow and ice in front of their building that morning. She’d picked style over practicality in shoes and was rewarded with a slip and fall, flat on her butt. Jake had helped her up. He’d placed her purse strap in one hand and held the other while he asked if she was okay. Embarrassment might have flared through her, but his gaze had melted her, and she hadn’t been able to think straight in his presence since.

He made her aware of her body, the way it heated and awakened. It wasn’t the chiseled cheek bones, or his tall lean body that had to be fit as a Navy Seal. Okay, maybe in her fantasies it was heaven to grab onto his thick neck and shoulders. When Jake was around, she either got lost in a fantasy or felt like a teenager worrying about her hair being flat, smudged mascara, or worse things. What if he saw her nipples hardening? Luckily for her they worked in two different departments and didn’t find themselves with the need to talk to each other.

If she could get to know him she wouldn’t suffer so much. Most people had issues, and if she could find his she wouldn’t be so intimidated. She had a long history of finding flaws in people. First with her dad, she had been eight when he left. She led a lonely existence and wore it like an armor, and it stopped her from being let down.

“I think you’re onto something.” Boss man Keller usually agreed with Jake.

Disappointment ticked at her ragged nerves. Once again someone else was getting credit for an idea she couldn’t voice.

For Keller to ever agree with her, she’d have to have the audacity to speak about her own ideas. Until she had the guts to offer her own opinion there would be no recognition, no advancement. Soon it would be time to go back to her familiar little box, a place she usually thought of as comfortable, a place made easy to hold onto her armor.

“I’d like you to head the team on this.” Keller inclined his head toward Jake. “Pick one of the technical writers from this table, lock yourselves in a room, and get it done. I want a report tomorrow, my office, ten o’clock.” He stomped from the room and took another opportunity to sneer at each of them.

The room, without Keller’s presence, grew eerily quiet.

All attention turned to Jake. He towered over them as they waited for the chosen partner to be selected. Whispers bubbled up around her.

A door slammed down the hall, probably Keller letting off some steam. She didn’t want to think about Keller. She desperately wanted to fill her mind with one idea, that she could be the technical writer Jake chose. He could choose her.

She blocked out her surroundings, peeled back her protective layer and allowed herself to feel. She bit her lower lip and sucked it into her mouth. She could be locked in a room with Jake. Her mouth dried, and her heart pounded. She took another look at Jake and drank in his dark features and the muscles she imagined hidden under his blue collared shirt. A fantasy, starring the infamous Jake, filled her imagination.

He sauntered around the table and stopped at her chair. His hand took hold of hers, and he pulled her into his strong arms. Once he settled her bottom on the table, he stepped in between her thighs. As he devoured her mouth in eager kisses, he popped the buttons on her blouse, unclasped her bra, and exposed her. Powerful hands molded her breasts. She let her needy body fall to the table to give him access to every inch of her.

“Lydia.”

The fantasy was in full swing now. Jake shouted her name. Oh, her name sounded sinful on his lips.

SJ's first four

 

Mid Week Tease – Honesty and Punishments

Click to see all the Mid Week Teases here at SJsWelcome to hump day my friends. Thank you to the amazing Sandra Bunino for bringing us together.

My first book, Taking Chances turns 1 on Saturday! I’m going to tease again from this first book in my Love Projects series.

In this tease, Jake is answering several of Lydia’s questions.

____________

“You probably have your choice of girls who already know what they’re doing.”

“Just because a woman has similar appetites doesn’t make her a match.”

“Oh.” A shiver shook her body. “Sorry, I was just so nervous. I’m surprised I got it all out.”

“That will be a problem.”

“What?”

“We must be honest with each other. Lesson number two. I promise to listen and watch for what your body needs, but you must be honest with me, or this will never work. Holding back will get you punished.”

“Punished?”

“Yes, Lydia, I’m looking forward to punishing you.”

“Is it okay if I don’t ask about punishments? My head is full right now, and I still haven’t figured out why I liked you spanking me.”

“You can put off the conversation, which is fine because we do have a lot to do today, but you are only delaying the inevitable.”

____________

Jake is the Master at calming one worry and lighting up another. Oh boy. 🙂 I’ll share a bit more from my birthday baby this weekend, but you can also pick up this hot love story from your favorite retailer and find out everything whenever you want.

click to see TAKING CHANCES on Goodreads

Where you can find TAKING CHANCES:

Evernight | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

BookStrand | All Romance Ebooks | Kobo | iTunes | Smashwords

Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Nook UK

Taking Chances 200x300

Lydia’s father walked away from her when she was eight. She’s struggled to not let him affect her, but fears she wasn’t loveable enough to make him stay. Jake wants to love one woman, but after scaring the last woman he met outside of the club, he doubts he deserves the right. She protects her heart by sticking with her fantasies and he lives by a set of rules that excludes women who choose a vanilla lifestyle.

The two will be kept in a conference room working together until their special project is complete. If Lydia and Jake hold tight to their bland lives, they’ll always yearn for love that is out of reach. Together they find common ground, passion, and a reason to take chances. Once they discover the grand possibilities of the love they desire, they find themselves in the very place they tried never to be again, facing unguaranteed loved.

Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Be sure to check out all the Mid Week Teasers:

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Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Mid Week Tease – The First Side Project

Click to see all the Mid Week Teases here at SJsWelcome to hump day my friends. Thank you to the amazing Sandra Bunino for bringing us together.

Next week, I’ll be celebrating my very first book birthday. Taking Chances turns 1 on August 23rd! So, I’m sharing from this first book in my Love Projects series.

In this tease, you’ll find Jake working hard to keep his lust for Lydia under control. While on his way to take a cold shower in his boss’s office, he finds Simon, the hero from the second book in the series, Taking Courage.

____________

Her scent filled his mind. He could practically taste her already. She was off limits, something that needed to be left alone. Maybe he should take a quick, cold shower in Keller’s office. Keller would understand. Damn Keller and his suggestions. The man kept denying his match-maker moniker, but Jake wanted to blame him all the same. He needed to stand strong, Jake couldn’t let go of his rules.

He stormed into Keller’s office, with a chip on his shoulder. Running up the stairs had only fueled his fury.

“Hey there, Jake, how’s it going with the little betty?” Keller said.

“Just great.”

“Your new side project is Jake?” Simon sat casually in one of the guest chairs.

“I don’t have side projects,” Keller said unconvincingly.

“Whatever, I should report you for this,” Jake said, pacing back and forth.

“What did I do?” Keller threw his hands in the air, but the smirk on his face gave him away.

“Shit, I’m sorry, Jake.” Simon turned his attention back to Keller. “Who did you select for our boy here?”

“You stay out of this. I thought we stood together on standing alone.”

“Sorry, I got caught in the action. Now, don’t leave me hangin’. Who is it?”

“Gees, it’s Lydia, okay? And you know what?” Jake turned his attention to Keller and pointed to Simon. “Do me a favor. Pick on him next.”

____________

And there you have it. That was my clue that Simon would be the hero for book two. Come back next week and I’ll share another teaser from my birthday baby. You can also pick up this hot love story from your favorite retailer and find out everything whenever you want.

click to see TAKING CHANCES on Goodreads

Where you can find TAKING CHANCES:

Evernight | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

BookStrand | All Romance Ebooks | Kobo | iTunes | Smashwords

Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Nook UK

Taking Chances 200x300

Lydia’s father walked away from her when she was eight. She’s struggled to not let him affect her, but fears she wasn’t loveable enough to make him stay. Jake wants to love one woman, but after scaring the last woman he met outside of the club, he doubts he deserves the right. She protects her heart by sticking with her fantasies and he lives by a set of rules that excludes women who choose a vanilla lifestyle.

The two will be kept in a conference room working together until their special project is complete. If Lydia and Jake hold tight to their bland lives, they’ll always yearn for love that is out of reach. Together they find common ground, passion, and a reason to take chances. Once they discover the grand possibilities of the love they desire, they find themselves in the very place they tried never to be again, facing unguaranteed loved.

Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Be sure to check out all the Mid Week Teasers:

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Meet My Character Blog Tour – Simon Young

Big thank you to my friend and fabulous writer, Anne Lange for inviting me on this tour. Her books are not to be missed and I’m looking forward to her next release, Sliding into Home.

taking-courage300x200I’d like to introduce you to Simon Young, the hero for my recent release, TAKING COURAGE. I first met Simon while writing the first book in my Love Projects series, Taking Chances.

When he was a little boy he found a second home at his local gym. Through the discipline of his training, he found comfort and control. When he later found the life style of BDSM, it felt like a homecoming. He took to it with the same discipline he developed in the gym, devoting himself to his training and eventually the training of others.

Many of us come from loving homes with parents that encourage us and help us to become the best we can be. Simon didn’t have any of that. He is who he is because he wanted it. He fought for it, literally. So, when he crosses paths with someone who hasn’t learned some of the basics in life, he has no mercy. No excuses allowed, you’re responsible for your own actions.

Simon maybe a cut and dry character in some ways, but with a big heart just asking to be stolen. He wants love in his life. He wants to find the one person who can understand who he is and love him whole. The last submissive he fell for actually was in love with someone else and was using Simon. The ordeal cut him deeply.

When I set out to write his story, I was tempted to hand him love on a silver platter. I wanted him to find something easy. I knew he’d love my heroine completely, but I couldn’t go easy. Not because I wanted to make it hard on him, but because I wanted him to see someone fight for him. I wanted him to know he was wanted even when a future seemed impossible.

I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little bit about Simon. You’ll see him again in the next two Love Projects books. You’ll get to see the love of his life again too and see their love deepen and grow.

Taking Courage - Jake

click to see TAKING COURAGE on Goodreads

WHERE YOU CAN FIND TAKING COURAGE:

Evernight Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance eBooks | BookStrand | Smashwords | iTunes Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

The Meet My Character Blog Tour continues and I’m super excited to share with you four of my talented friends. They’ll be introducing their characters on or around August 18th.

Elodie Parkes, her new release, The Summer Heat is burning up the charts.

Kacey Hammel, is in a fabulous new anthology Hot Summer Nights. It takes place in paradise. 🙂

D.C. Stone, her latest release, Intimate Danger, is up for sizzling read of the month at Sizzling Hot Books.

Lilith Duvalier, her 12th book releases tomorrow! I’ll have all the details about We Wander Far from Home here on the 18th. Happy almost release day, Lilith!

Weekend Writing Warriors – The First Rule

Click the logo for the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Click the logo for the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Welcome friends old and new. I’m glad you came. Today, I’m sharing from the second in my Love Projects series, TAKING COURAGE.

LAST WEEK: Janna found the courage to ask Simon to be her trainer. THIS WEEK: Simon has said, yes. Yes! 😀 I’ve skipped over a couple sweet nuggets to give you his first rule. Enjoy.

“First, no more panties.”

“At the club?”

“Anywhere. Since you don’t want to wait, while you are my trainee, I want you as aware of your body as possible. Your panties are an unnecessary barrier.” Holding the attention of a willing submissive was like a drug to Simon. Her gaze told of her concentration, but it was her sweet musk filling the air that would do him in. “Take care of your things here, then remove those panties, and get your ass to my office. You have five minutes.”

What’s going to happen in five minutes?! 🙂 I know the answer and so can you. Pick up your own copy of TAKING COURAGE and find out everything today.

taking-courage400x267BLURB:

Janna’s ready to make over her life and get out from under the controlling thumb of her father. She doesn’t want another failed arranged marriage. She’s ready to do whatever it takes for the career she wants, enter the lifestyle she craves, and to earn the trust and love of the man that has captured her heart, but heartbreak and career hiccups seem to be her destiny.

Simon’s still recovering after his last submissive lied her way into his life. He’s not ready for Janna and how she pushes against his prejudices. He needs to decide if he’s willing to lose her or if he’ll fight for her love and submission.

click to see TAKING COURAGE on Goodreads

WHERE YOU CAN FIND TAKING COURAGE:

Evernight Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

All Romance eBooks | BookStrand | Smashwords | iTunes

Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

Taking Courage - Janna

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, the Snippet Sunday Facebook Group, and Saturday Spankings too.

Weekend Writing Warriors – Smart Girl

Click the logo for the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Click the logo for the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Welcome friends old and new. I’m glad you came. Today, I’m sharing from the second in my Love Projects series, TAKING COURAGE.

LAST Snippet: Simon got his first glimpse of Janna the Project Manager. THIS WEEK: I’ve skipped over a bit. The meeting’s over and Simon has given Janna some well deserved praise. Their conversation has shifted back to how they met. Janna still needs a trainer …

“If you want me to train you, you are going to have to ask.” He waited for a bit. When she didn’t speak, he walked to the door. Smart girl. She’d probably thought better of asking him. She was better off with someone Charlie could find for her. He shoved off the ache the thought gave him.

“Would you train me, Sir?”

Way to go, Janna! She asked for what she wanted. I’m so proud. 😀 Now, do you think Simon will have the courage to accept? I know the answer and so can you! Pick up your own copy of TAKING COURAGE and find out everything today.

taking-courage400x267BLURB:

Janna’s ready to make over her life and get out from under the controlling thumb of her father. She doesn’t want another failed arranged marriage. She’s ready to do whatever it takes for the career she wants, enter the lifestyle she craves, and to earn the trust and love of the man that has captured her heart, but heartbreak and career hiccups seem to be her destiny.

Simon’s still recovering after his last submissive lied her way into his life. He’s not ready for Janna and how she pushes against his prejudices. He needs to decide if he’s willing to lose her or if he’ll fight for her love and submission.

click to see TAKING COURAGE on Goodreads

WHERE YOU CAN FIND TAKING COURAGE:

Evernight Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

All Romance eBooks | BookStrand | Smashwords | iTunes

Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

Taking Courage - Janna

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, the Snippet Sunday Facebook Group, and Saturday Spankings too.

It’s Here! Desired by Stacey Kennedy

DESIREDPublisher: Loveswept

(Random House Publishing Group)

ISBN: 9780553391183

Release date: July 22, 2014

 

“Characters you care about in a fast-paced story . . . one heck of a sexy read!”—New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black

Readers of Fifty Shades of Grey are sure to love Desired, Stacey Kennedy’s latest seductive, electrifying novel of Club Sin, where fantasy becomes reality.

Kyler Morgan, Master at the legendary Club Sin in Las Vegas, knows how to give women what they want—too well. He hasn’t had a real challenge in a long time. Then Ella Snow enters his life. Beautiful, inhibited, and innocent in the ways of submission and domination, Ella is the new blood he’s been lusting after. Soon, the thrill of training her to embrace his world brings forth desires Kyler cannot control.

After ending an abusive relationship, Ella makes a promise to herself to start living life to the fullest. It’s one of the reasons she seeks out Club Sin. Here, Kyler’s every touch is a lesson in liberation, stirring passions that have no bounds. But as she falls under Kyler’s command, Ella discovers that some secrets are so dark they must come to light. Submission alone may not be enough to save her, leaving her Master with only one question: How can he help Ella heal while unlocking the deep pleasures she craves?

Desired is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Buy links:

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Desired-Club-Sin-Stacey-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B00IHMEBPS/

B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/desired-stacey-kennedy/1118636169

More buying options – http://www.randomhouse.com/book/240353/desired-by-stacey-kennedy

 

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a $50 Babeland.com Gift Card, and 5 CLUB SIN swag packs

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About the Author:

staceykennedy

STACEY KENNEDY is the USA Today bestselling author of the CLUB SIN series. Growing up, Stacey’s mind wandered the path less traveled and that path most often led to love. She has always broken rules and she continues to feed off emotion – staying true to her heart. Those traits are now the bones of her stories. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame, and their two young children. If she’s not on mom duty or plugging away at a new story, you’ll find Stacey camping in the summer, hibernating in the winter and obsessing over Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones and Sons of Anarchy.

Website – http://www.staceykennedy.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorstaceykennedy

Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/Stacey_Kennedy

Loveswept websitehttp://www.readloveswept.com

DESIRED EXCERPT:

Forgive me.

Ella’s shoulders slumped and she sighed at her phone. Laughter and joy surrounded her, music and happiness, but her stomach plummeted as she read her husband, Rory Snow’s text. When would he give up? Didn’t a domestic violence protection order say This relationship is over?

As the band played a slow song, she ran her fingers over the scar by her right eye. The mark was a constant reminder of Rory. Every day she looked in the mirror she saw it and thought of him.

All she wanted was to forget. Heck, she’d been doing exactly that. Rory was the jackass who couldn’t let it go. Ella knew she should probably call the Savannah police department to inform them that Rory was contacting her, but she was so damn tired of it all. She had moved on and put Rory into her past of big mistakes.

She’d hoped Rory would do the same.

That didn’t look like it was going to happen anytime soon.

With a grumble, she slipped her phone into her dress pocket and zipped it closed. She scanned through the crowd on the dance floor and her gaze landed on the bride. Aidan’s new wife was beautiful. Thin and elegant, Cora belonged on a magazine cover.

Ella’s heart twisted in the midst of memories of her wedding. Her day hadn’t been so lavish. Rory hadn’t rented out an entire resort at Lake Las Vegas for the event, ensuring their guests had a place to stay. Her wedding had cost all of two thousand dollars, but it had been enough for her.

She’d loved the high school sweetheart she’d met when she was fifteen and married five years later. Had loved him. Right up until Rory started drinking and drowning himself in booze.

Sober Rory was a good man.

Drunk Rory had a violent side.

That violence had shoved Ella face-first into a table. The night she’d got the stitches was the night she’d walked away from him. Six months later, she had left her life in Savannah. She moved to Vegas for the excitement, landing herself an amazing job at Knight Law Firm, working as the assistant for a highly respected defense attorney.

Ella enjoyed working for Aidan, and actually liked him as a person, too. He paid her almost triple what she had made in Savannah. Her professional life couldn’t get any better. It was the personal side of things that remained murky.

As she watched Aidan twirl his new wife around, dancing proudly for all to see, Ella tried to find her smile, but it remained hidden behind pain. Even if ten months had gone by since the night of the abuse, she couldn’t ignore the dark thoughts and her failed marriage.

It took six months to find the courage to file divorce papers, and another four months since leaving Savannah to pull herself together again, but she was over Rory in every sense of the word. She refused to let him ruin this special occasion. Grabbing her wineglass, she downed the remaining contents.

Tonight she hoped for a little liquid happiness.

When she lowered her glass to the table, a tingling sensation spread across her skin. Lifting her head, she gazed across the patio, and sitting at one of the patio sets was one of Aidan’s groomsmen. She’d never seen him before today, but that wasn’t a huge surprise, since she didn’t know most of the people at the wedding.

Except for a bunch of lawyers from the firm and Aidan’s parents, everyone else was a stranger. Aidan never mixed pleasure with business, and in the four months she had worked for him, she’d never met a single friend of his. Heck, she hadn’t known Aidan was dating. One day she’d thought he was single; the next he told her he was getting married.

Oddly enough, she was drawn to Aidan’s groomsman. Staring into his warm blue eyes, pins and needles and other sensitive feelings traveled up her body, settling between her thighs. She squirmed against her seat, avoiding the heat, and the side of his mouth curved. Her heart tripped and she glanced to her high-heeled shoe dangling off her toe.

Geebus, if he didn’t stop looking at her with those piercing eyes, she would combust. All night he’d been sneaking glances at her. They weren’t simple interested looks, either; they were outright assaults on her hormones. But a man’s attention was the last thing she was looking for.

No, thank you.

When she still sensed his gaze, she peeked to discover she wasn’t wrong. His intense stare was right on her. The power of it sucked the air from her lungs. Though she’d never believed in lust at first sight, perhaps it was because she had never experienced it.

Whoever he was, he was hot!

“More wine, miss?”

Ella gasped, looking up to the waitress standing next to her holding a bottle of white wine. She gave a shaky laugh. “To the top, please.”

The waitress smiled, filling the glass to the rim. “Why aren’t you dancing?”

“I look like a dying fish when I dance,” Ella said with a laugh. “I have two left feet.”

“We’ll need to work on that, won’t we?”

The waitress was looking over Ella’s shoulder with wide eyes. And something in that masculine voice made Ella stiffen in her seat. The tone was low and seductive, but mischievous all the same.

Then he was there.

The groomsman who’d been staring at her from across the patio now stood in front of her. Ella’s mind went blank. He smelled of sandalwood, and the rich scent puckered her nipples. From afar she thought he had blue eyes, but up close she realized they were a blue-green color. Pretty. In fact, the whole package was beautiful, especially covered in the tux.

He leaned down toward her and offered his hand. His messily styled light brown hair dangled over his forehead. He was tall, much taller than she, and he filled out his tux nicely.

Hell’s bells!

“Dance with me,” he said.

Ella quivered under his clever smile, and a slow heat slid through her. He happened to be one of the hottest guys she’d ever seen. Well, in person and not on some magazine she figured was Photoshopped. Though, hot or not, there was still a problem. “I’m sorry, but I can’t dance.”

“Everyone can dance.” His potent stare held hers and his hand never lowered. “It’s all about who is leading.”

Persistent sexy man.

Under his intense scrutiny her insides went mushy. The power this man exuded burned through her, reminding her she hadn’t felt this way in a long time. The attraction was intoxicating, and something needy inside her unfurled, yearning to explore it.

No, her mind argued.

At her pause, one sleek brow arched. “If you wait any longer to take my hand, you might give me a complex.”

The waitress hadn’t moved, watching the exchange. Even if Ella hated dancing and wasn’t looking for a relationship, she couldn’t refuse the urge to be squished up against him. Besides, what was a dance? This hunk was the perfect way to get her mind off Rory and onto something a lot better.

As she rose and slid her fingers into his warm grip, his gaze remained on hers. Heat stormed into her, spiraling low in her body with a wicked thud. She didn’t doubt that smile got him into many women’s beds.

It had power and charm.

He tightened his fingers around hers, and something passed in the air between them, so hot and so damn unforgettable, her body all but liquefied. He tugged her closer and she felt something odd inside awaken, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Something she wanted to lose herself in.

A sensation that made her mind shut off.

He led her into the middle of the crowd on the dance floor, pulling her tight against him as if she belonged right there in his arms. He had no hesitation about placing his hand low on her back, quite close to her bottom, and sandwiching their bodies together.

Ella swallowed and avoided his gaze, staring at the band as they played a classic song. She wasn’t blind to the glaringly obvious fact that the groomsman had an erection. She thought she should be offended or something, but found herself fighting against the desire to rub against him.

“Ella, right?”

She cleared her throat, angling her head. His face was chiseled and smooth, but his eyes were what made this man sexy. They held mischief with a sense of confidence. “Yes, and you would be?”

“Kyler Morgan.”

Of course, the sexy man came with a sexy name. She swayed her hips, trying to follow his movements, only feeling more uncomfortable. Not a second later, she stepped on his foot. “Oh, shit!”

He chuckled. “It’s a foot. I’ve got two, so it’s okay.” He pressed his hand tighter against her back, erasing the distance. Then he shook their clasped hands. “Stop fighting me. Relax.”

Ella sighed. I suck at this!

He leaned down, placing his mouth near her ear, and whispered, “So you work for Aidan, yes?”

His voice raised goose bumps across her flesh, and she shivered. “Yes.” She glanced to the others on the dance floor. It pleased her that no one was watching her horrible dancing skills. Then she stared up into Kyler’s handsome face, since he didn’t allow her any room to do otherwise. “Since you’re Aidan’s groomsman, you must be a good friend.”

A low noise hummed in his throat, and the sound spoke to her on a level she couldn’t have anticipated. It warmed her from head to toe, and her muscles went lax. His fingers slid across her lower back, squeezing her against him, and the heat of his touch burned to her core. “Been good friends for a long time now.”

Good grief, the man seemed not to care they were strangers. He touched her as if they were well acquainted. In the midst of that confidence, Ella forgot the world around her. Her mind focused on him and the way he moved her across the dance floor.

He continued to guide her movements and never once took his eyes off her. “I didn’t see a date with you tonight. Are you unattached?”

Her insides somersaulted with his question, as he appeared interested in finding out if anyone stood in his way. She pondered whether to spill out the details that she was in the process of getting divorced and not looking for another relationship. Well, she would be if Rory’s lawyer stopped dragging his feet. But why tell that depressing shit to a smoking-hot man sandwiching her against the hard planes of his body? “Nope, not attached.”

His chin dipped, bringing his mouth within centimeters of hers. “A good thing for me, Ella, since I’m enjoying this.” The music soared through the air, and as her hips swayed with his, his erection pressed against her stomach.

Trapped in his intense gaze, her body flushed as desire simmered. Holy Jesus, she hadn’t felt this aroused in the presence of a man. No one had ever made her burn with a dance, a look, or the sound of his voice.

Kyler’s mouth twitched as he ran his thumb over the top of her hand. “See, sweetheart, you can dance.”

She blinked, realizing she had completely relaxed in his hold, and he was moving her around the dance floor, effortlessly. She leaned in to him, consumed by the strength of his hold. “Apparently, you’re a good teacher.”

He winked. “You bet your pretty little ass I am.”