Spotlight: The Beast of Birch Hill by Naomi Clark

Posted on August 25, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

The Beast of Birch Hill

by Naomi Clark

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Wildlife photographer and cryptozoology blogger Emma Jordan came to Birch Hill expecting to find another urban legend. The rumours of a big cat stalking the woods around this quiet town surely had to be just that – rumours. But when the evidence starts to pile up that Birch Hill really does have a killer cat on the loose, Emma finds herself caught in a confusing game of cat and mouse. And her blossoming relationship with Abi Blakely might just be pushing her further into danger.

Where you can find The Beast of Birch Hill

Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/Beast-Birch-Hill-Romance-Go-ebook/dp/B00MT8D454/

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Beast-Birch-Hill-Romance-ebook/dp/B00MT8D454/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_6

ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thebeastofbirchhill-1602828-182.html

Evernight http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-beast-of-birch-hill-by-naomi-clark/

Excerpt

Emma awoke in a tangle of sheets to the sound of running water. She sat up, finger-combing her knotted hair, and looked around for Abi. The door to the en suite was open and she could just make out Abi’s silhouette behind the frosted glass shower door. Her pussy throbbed, an almost Pavlovian reaction, and for a second she contemplated slipping in there with her.

Then her phone, discarded along with her jeans last night, started ringing. Cursing, but unable to ignore it, she leaned over the side of the bed to grab it. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.

“Hello?”

“What happened last night? Where were you?”

It took her sleep-hazed brain a second to recognize the voice, and a second longer to realize Jed wasn’t asking her about her sex life. “Something came up. I couldn’t make it out there. Why do you care anyway?” she asked, realizing she sounded rude just a little too late. “I mean, we hadn’t planned to go up to the woods together, after all.”

“No, but I went anyway. You city folks, you think you know the woods, you think you’re gonna be safe, but you don’t know shit, so I went to keep an eye on you. And guess what?”

“You wasted your night? I’m sorry, Jed, but—”

“There was another kill!” he said, almost triumphantly.

Emma stilled. “A cat kill?”

“That’s right. Big old deer, just slaughtered and left on the trail. If you’d been out there with your camera like you said, you’d have caught it all.”

“There’s no guarantee of that,” Emma said. “But I’d like to come and have a look now, see if there are any more paw prints or anything.”

“Well, the deer isn’t going anywhere,” Jed said. “Meet you at the trail’s start in an hour, if you can make time for it.”

He hung up without waiting for her reply. Emma swore softly and tossed the phone across the bed just as Abi emerged from the shower. The sight of her wrapped in a mint green towel, her dark hair dripping water down her cleavage, was briefly distracting.

“What’s up?” Abi asked.

“Jed just called. He found a deer kill in the woods – the Beast strikes again, I guess. He’s annoyed I wasn’t out there to capture it all on tape.”

Abi frowned. “That can’t be right.”

“What can’t?”

“The Beast, the cat – I mean…it can’t…didn’t you just go see a kill yesterday? Cats don’t hunt that often, surely?”

“This one seems to be killing for fun,” Emma said, climbing out of bed. “So I guess I should go take a look.”

Abi clutched at her towel, expression worried. “If you did find it, or get it on film or whatever, what then? What would you do?”

Emma shrugged. “I wouldn’t do anything except blog about it. I’m not out to capture the Beast or kill it or anything. But if I do get proof of an alien big cat out here, I want to talk about it!” Her initial lack of enthusiasm at Jed’s call was fading away. The thought of uncovering a mystery, even a small one, and sharing the answer with the world, was irresistible. And sure, there would be a mundane explanation – escaped zoo animal, abandoned exotic pet – but it would still be part of the bigger puzzle. That was worth getting excited about.

She went to kiss Abi as she passed to use the shower, but Abi barely seemed to notice. She was still frowning, staring at the bed they’d shared last night as if it suddenly just materialized there.

“Abi? You okay?” Emma touched her arm lightly and Abi jumped.

“No. Yeah, I mean, yeah, I’m fine. I just…hey.” She looked up at Emma, chewing her lip. “Could I come with you?”

“You wanna come see a dead deer?”

Abi smiled. “Sure. Maybe I can make it into dinner later.”

Emma laughed, but a touch of unease crept over her. The feeling didn’t make sense, so she tried to ignore it. “I don’t see why not. It’s probably not going to be any fun though, with Jed there.”

“That’s fine. I never expect dead things to be fun.”

About the Author

Naomi likes writing, perfume, fancy tea, and unfathomable monsters from the dark spaces between the stars, not necessarily in that order. She has been writing stories ever since she learned how to write, but is still trying to master the art of biography writing. When she’s not dealing with werewolves, demons, or sea monsters, she’s hanging out with her cat and probably watching a documentary about Bigfoot. If the cat isn’t available, she’s with her fiancé watching cookery shows and silently plotting her next book.

Find Naomi online:

Blog – http://naomiclarkwrites.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/naomi_jay

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

Weekend Writing Warriors – When Lydia Licks His Finger

Posted on August 24, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

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:

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.

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

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

Posted on August 23, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

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

In 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, I’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 maker 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. Yum. 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.

Mid Week Tease – Honesty and Punishments

Posted on August 20, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

Welcome 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.

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

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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Inside Look with Lilith Duvalier author of We Wander Far From Home

Posted on August 18, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

Please help me welcome fellow Evernight author, Lilith Duvalier and her new release, We Wander Far From Home. She’s making audio interviews now and her first with Nicola Cameron can be found on Lilith’s site, here. It’s a lot of fun. But first, please let her introduce to you her 12th book. Enjoy! 🙂

_________________

I am very excited for “We Wander Far From Home”! It’s my first full length novel, and I’m very proud of the way it combines a nuanced love story with an old fashioned western adventure. I started this story in 2009 with the intention of submitting it to an anthology call, but the deadline flew by before I figured out how to finish it. I stuck it in a folder and forgot about it for a little over a year. Then I started taking it out every few months, writing another chapter here, doing some edits there and putting it away again. It didn’t really come together until January this year and I’m thrilled to see it published by Evernight!

Blurb

A crack shot best gal, a former criminal lover, a sudden ejection from everything he’s ever known, and the faintest taste of freedom. That’s what drives Will Kearny out of the comfort of a normal life and out into the Nebraska wilderness. Soon, the sweet, quiet dairy farmer from Minnesota is robbing stage coaches, knocking over banks and running off into the mountains to celebrate in Henry Fitzpatrick’s arms. But winter’s coming on, the stage coach routes are drying up, and the law is onto them. Life on the edge is the only way Will and Henry can be together, but life on the edge is short. Can forbidden love survive in a harsh world?

Excerpt

He shifted closer to Henry’s body under the covers and realized that they were both naked. Had he really been so exhausted last night that he didn’t remember undressing? Or possibly being undressed? He set a hand to Henry’s chest, tracing a line down to Henry’s flat, red nipple. The contrasts of Henry were astonishing. The hills and valleys of his chest and shoulders, the gentle touches of his rough hands.

This man was a criminal.

And between him and Annie, they had made Will one, too.

Memories sparked from last night. Henry’s hand wrapped around Will’s, tugging him patiently into this room. Henry’s stubbled chin pressed to his face in an affectionate good night kiss that Will had barely been conscious enough to return.

So. Sweet. Affectionate. Beautiful. His.

But a criminal.

Well, Will supposed, you couldn’t have everything. He pressed his body against Henry’s, closing the small, cautious gap between them, and kissed the other man. He slid his hands out of Henry’s and wrapped his arms around Henry’s back, running his fingers over the ridges of muscle there.

Henry began to kiss him back slowly, as though not quite woken from a dream, before his loose grip tightened and his hands began to wander up Will’s body.

“Morning,” Henry murmured.

“Afternoon, actually, I think,” Will replied.

“Mhm,” Henry responded disinterestedly as he resumed the kiss, sliding his tongue past Will’s lips like walking through an open door. He took control of the kiss. Eased his body on top of Will’s. Will sighed happily as he sunk down into the feather mattress under Henry’s solid weight. Despite Annie’s assurances that there were other men like him, Will hadn’t really let himself believe it until the night Henry kissed him in the barn, only weeks ago.

The way that Henry’s skin moved over Will’s, the heavy scent of him dominating Will’s senses, made it easier for Will to concentrate on his rewards rather than his sins.

Will reached up to take Henry’s arm in his hand.

Henry pulled away, caught Will’s hand and pushed it back down to the mattress. “Shhhh…lie back.”

Will watched as Henry’s hands ran over his chest. Down his stomach, palms flat and warm. He traced his fingers down into the grooves between Will’s hips and his groin, where the skin was soft and sensitive, unaccustomed to being touched.

Will pushed his hips up against Henry’s hands, asking for more. He’d been ready back in the cabin a few nights ago, he didn’t need all this careful touching.

Henry’s fingers slid back up his chest, rubbing and pinching his nipples.

Will felt his breathing getting heavier. His hips worked up against empty air. He looked down between Henry’s legs and swallowed. Henry’s cock was standing between his legs now, thick and flush and full.

And out of reach.

“Look at you,” Henry murmured, rolling the bud of Will’s nipple between his thumb and forefinger, every touch making the nerves more sensitive.

The sluggish warmth in Will’s belly started to coil, not urgent yet, but threatening to become so. “Henry, please.”

Henry grinned, and patted Will’s chest as though he was going to stop teasing. Then he dropped his mouth down to Will’s chest and took a reddened nipple into his mouth.

The warmth in Will’s stomach tightened suddenly. The steady hum of arousal in his body spiked. He dug his fingers into Henry’s shoulders and bucked his hips up against nothing when the grip made Henry suck harder.

Will reached for his cock while Henry rolled the bud between his teeth and flicked his tongue over it. Henry caught Will’s hand and brought it back up to his shoulders.

“Henry, I don’t wanna wait no more,” Will moaned as Henry let his nipple go with a loud, wet “pop.”

“Yeah,” Henry said. His voice was heavy and rough and his eyes were dark with lust. His gaze ran over Will’s body like another caress and Will shivered. “I won’t make you.”

Will’s breath caught.

Henry moved off his thighs, arranging himself so that he was kneeling between Will’s legs. He slipped his hands underneath Will’s knees, calloused hands tickling at the sensitive skin underneath the joint. Will felt too exposed as Henry lifted his feet up off the mattress and spread his legs wider, so wide that his toes poked over either side of the mattress.

Henry arched down, kissing Will. Will set his hands back to Henry’s shoulders, letting himself stay open under Henry’s increasingly insistent tongue, kissing back with everything he could muster while Henry turned the kiss dirty and breathtaking. He finally settled his body down against Will’s, pressing his rock hard cock into Will’s body, rubbing against him until Will moaned against his lips.

“No more interruptions. Door’s locked. Hell, I even jammed a chair under the handle.” He dropped his face to Will’s neck, sucking at a tendon, then worrying his teeth against it. “Even if the goddamn law comes knocking, even if they break down the door, I’m gonna make you come before they cart us away.”

http://lilithduvalier.weebly.com/

Where you can find We Wander Far From Home:

Evernight | Amazon | All Romance Ebooks

Cover Reveal and Giveaway for Colors of Us by Sandra Bunino

Posted on August 15, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Sandra Bunino’s next release, Colors of Us. I’ve been trying to wait patiently for this book and I’m happy to report our wait is almost over. It’s releasing on August 26th! That’s less than two weeks. Squee!! Below you’ll find the fabulous cover, blurb, excerpt, info on Sandra, and her giveaway. Enjoy!! 😀

Book Title: Colors of Us

Author: Sandra Bunino

Genre: Contemporary Romance/New Adult

Release Date: August 26, 2014

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Everything she knew to be true fell apart. Then fell apart again…

Michelle Willis is running from her past. What better place to hide than in the anonymity of New York City. Finding refuge in a tiny SoHo art gallery, she rebuilds her life one painting at a time.

A wrong turn sends Hunter McAvery on a crash course with disaster. He fights his own demons by following his big brother’s lead – drinking and bed-hopping his way through Manhattan.

A glance at Michelle’s self-portrait triggers emotions Hunter can’t tamp down. Driven to meet the artist, he discovers a fiery chemistry as their lives collide. But when their past threatens to tear them apart, can their love survive?

“I think pink is your color. It looks great against your dark hair.” Reaching past her shoulder, he curled a strand of her hair between his fingers and tugged gently before letting it fall onto her shoulder.

Meeting his gaze, she smiled. “Thanks.” Michelle wasn’t used to compliments. It’d been her goal to fade into the crowd and not to call attention to herself. But her self-imposed rules seemed to float away around Hunter McAvery.

Returning her smile, he continued the lesson. “After you slide your hands into the opening, you’ll wind the long strap around your fingers and wrist like this.” Holding her fingers in his hand, he wound the dangling strap around her palm and over her knuckles. “You want to protect the part of your hand that meets the bag.”

He stepped closer as he slipped the strap around the base of her thumb. When he brushed his fingertips against the sensitive area just below the fleshy part of her palm, a shiver shot up her arm and traveled to her belly. His warm breath ghosted her face as he circled the end of the strap around her wrist and secured the Velcro tab. Before she knew it, strong fingers captured her left hand and guided her arm to the warmth between their bodies. She itched to graze her fingers along his muscled chest, capturing his heat with her palm. Her gaze bounced to his neck and stubbled jaw, which clenched as he slid the other wrap over her hand. Slowly wrapping her other wrist, he secured the strap and held both of her gloved hands in his. “Make a fist,” he said huskily.

Tightening her hands into a ball, she tucked her thumb around the outside of her fingers like he showed her at the gym.

He squeezed her fists. “They look good. You’re a badass.”

Michelle snorted. “A badass in pink.”

“Let’s see what you got. Show me some upper cuts. Right here.” He tapped his abs.

“You want me to hit you?” She giggled.

“Sure. I can take it.”

Turning her palms up, she made a fist and alternated soft punches to his belly. His rock-hard belly. Each strike made her aware of how alive he made her feel. The force of impact sent ripples up his tight shirt, awakening the planes of his muscular form. She gulped back the desire to open her fists and run her fingertips along the line of each thick muscle.

His hands came to rest on her forearms, halting her movement. The pads of his thumbs stroked the sensitive skin near the inside of her elbow causing a delicious shiver up her arm. Michelle’s eyes met his. The fire brewing in his darkened gaze drew her in. Hunter stepped between her legs, nudging her back against the wall next to the mural. She closed her eyes and choked back a groan, wanting—no, needing—to grind her heat on his leg. Raising her arms above her, he pinned them against the wall on either side of her head. His scent flooded her senses as she lifted her chin to close the gap between them.

“I’m trying like hell not to kiss you.” Hunter straightened his back but didn’t loosen his grip on her arms.

Her skin prickled from the nearness of his body. She let her gaze drift to his lips. “Why?” she whispered.

He blew a slow breath between his teeth. “Nothing good would come of it. I’m not capable of giving or feeling… or offering anything much to you.” He shook his head but he didn’t move from her body.

“I don’t believe that.” Michelle wriggled her arms from his grasp. Her fingertips lingered on his corded forearms, which flexed under her touch. Easing a trail toward his shoulders, her fingers reminded her of a paintbrush’s first dab of color on a fresh canvas. She’d always believed each canvas had a personality of its own, and it was the symphony of the brush, artist, and canvas that created the work of art. She wanted to explore the blank canvas of Hunter McAvery.

She studied his arms, still caging her in. Protecting her. Wanting her. Her eyes met his gaze. He stared at her, unmoving, but a spark burned in his eyes. She held her breath, afraid to break his trance. Her palms smoothed over his shoulders and down his chest, stopping at the center of his ribs. Pushing into the muscles of his chest, she felt the strong beat of his heart on her fingers. “Kiss me, Hunter.” Raising her eyebrows, she dared to look him in the eyes, almost afraid of what she’d see.

“You don’t understand. You’re too… good.” He averted his gaze.

“Maybe you should let me decide what’s good for me.” She moved closer, his breath burned hot on her face, and he squeezed his eyes closed.

“Michelle….”

Her hands traveled up his chest and rested on the bulk of his strong shoulders. Pulling him in, her breasts molded into his chest and, finally, he crashed his lips down on hers. She met every stroke of his tongue as her fingers raked through the ends of his hair. Moaning into his mouth, she straddled his muscular thigh as warmth flooded her sex. She’d never felt more alive.

His hand grazed her cheek before taking her chin between his thumb and index finger and pulling away from their kiss. He tipped his forehead to hers, his raspy breath hot on her mouth. “Shit.”

Michelle widened her eyes. “What?” she whispered.

“You. Me. This just can’t happen. Not now. Not like this.”

Sandra Bunino is a romance author of several novellas including The Satin Rose Experience series. Her first full length novel, Colors of Us from the McAvery’s Brothers series, makes its debut during the summer of 2014. She makes her parents proud by putting her MBA degree to good use dreaming up Alpha heroes who dominate the bedroom as well as the boardroom.

When not staying up past her bedtime torturing her oh-so-sexy heroes, she can be found shopping for shoes or saving turtles.

She looks forward to hearing from her readers and she may be contacted at sbunino@gmail.com. As a social media junkie in need of a ten-step program, you can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@sandrabunino). Join her book group, Bunino’s Bookalicious Babes, on Facebook!

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Mid Week Tease – The First Side Project

Posted on August 13, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

Welcome 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.

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

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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Inside Look with Elodie Parkes author of The Summer Heat

Posted on August 12, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

I’m super excited to have Elodie Parkes back with her new release, The Summer Heat. I love Elodie’s books. She writes strong intriguing characters and they’re not to be missed! She’s brought a bunch of cool tidbits about her story and a yummy excerpt too. Enjoy. 🙂

_______

Thank you for inviting me to your blog to talk about my new Evernight Publishing release, ‘The Summer Heat’.

A ménage romance, two guys and a girl, this is erotic, contemporary romance that sizzles.

The Summer Heat

When lifelong friends Nate and Evan watch the arrival of a new neighbor, they never expect to find their friendship rocked by the lovely Annabel who moves into the empty house next door.

Annabel likes both Nate and Evan the moment she meets them. As they all grow close, will she be forced to choose between these gorgeous men?

Inspiration behind the story:

The inspiration came from a tree being cut down in the communal gardens where I currently live. I didn’t even see it felled, but I was immensely saddened as this was a healthy young tree. In my story, the gorgeous guys are cutting down a diseased tree in their garden, and that’s how they see Annabel move in next door.

My characters:

Annabel: She’s ready for love and looking for someone after her last miserable relationship. I imagine her surprise when she meets Nate and Evan, and has strong attraction to both of them.

Nate: He’s gentle, kind, sensually sexy, very good looking. Friends mean a lot to him. You can feel safe and loved with him, but boy do you know when he’s made love to you.

Evan: Strong, alpha, hides his emotions, but sex just drips from his gorgeous body. He calls you babe and takes charge, all the while your soft skin under his fingertips blows his mind.

Read an excerpt:

18+ rating

They got through her front door before they leapt on each other.

Nate didn’t know how they got their clothes off. The haze of lust at the deliciousness of her kisses fogged his brain. They were in Annabel’s living room, and he was already pounding into her.

Her lips brushed against his ear. Her whispers and moans mingled with his moaning.

He held her under the ass and fucked her hard as she clung to him.

Her hands on his shoulders, she met his thrusts with her hips raised.

His orgasm started with his balls tightening so that he thrust into her as deep as he could. Into his heart dropped the need to make sure she came. He slowed down, kissed her lips, nibbled down her neck, and sucked there.

She bucked her hips to his.

He ground his cock on her clit as he slid into her again.

She moaned into his mouth.

Her pussy clenched around his cock as she pressed her body against him, and he knew she was coming. It filled him with love. He didn’t need to pound into her to come. His orgasm flowed over him as he kissed her. It buckled his knees and weakened his thighs as the ripples of sensation jerked his cock inside her. Nate groaned as Annabel’s tongue touched the tip of his. He pressed his stomach against her enjoying the pressure and satin texture of her skin on his. A melting sensation drifted over him, and he rested his forehead on her shoulder.

“How do you feel?” He whispered against her ear.

She made a little sound, not quite a word.

He interpreted it as pleasure. That’s what it sounded like to him, as if she’d tasted something good. He lifted his head and kissed her tenderly. “Next time, maybe we can slow down, but I needed that so bad.”

Where you can find ‘The Summer Heat’:

Amazon, Amazon UK, All Romance, Evernight Publishing, Siren Bookstrand

Coming soon to
Barnes & Noble

About Elodie:

Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal or suspense. Her books are always steamy, cool stories and hot love scenes.

Elodie lives in Canterbury with her two dogs. She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.

Elodie writes for, Hot Ink Press, Moon Rose Publishing, Eternal Press, Secret Cravings, Evernight, and Siren

She has also released titles as an individual indie author.

Find Elodie online: Blog Tumblr Facebook Twitter

Google + Pinterest YouTube Amazon USA Amazon UK Smashwords Barnes and Noble ARe Bookstrand Evernight TRR ManicReaders

Meet My Character Blog Tour – Simon Young

Posted on August 11, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

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.

I’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.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND TAKING COURAGE:

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 18^th.

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

Posted on August 10, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

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.

BLURB:

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.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND TAKING COURAGE:

Evernight Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

All Romance eBooks | BookStrand | Smashwords | iTunes

Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de