Roz Lee's Blog, page 30

I'm so thrilled(see how I worked that in there?) to have Best Selling Author, Kathy Bennett here today. Kathy's debut novel, A Dozen Deadly Roses reached the Best Sellers lists on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble within a few weeks of release and continues to top the charts in Mystery & Thrillers , and Police Procedurals.More about that later. For now, Kathy is here to tell us about her upcoming release, A Deadly Blessing.I told Kathy she could talk about anything she wanted, but I never imagined she'd go down this road! 
These Aren't Bunnies You Give Your Kids at Easter
I have to admit the first time I heard the term Badge Bunny I thought it was a rabbit.  I assumed it was the mascot for the police station where I worked.  I was right out of high school, a new civilian worker at the LAPD and had led a somewhat sheltered life.
For those of you who don't know what a Badge Bunny is…it's a person who loves to have sex with cops (or firefighters, or any man in uniform).  Usually, a Badge Bunny is female.  However, once I became a police officer, I was 'hit on' a couple of times by different guys who, I was fairly sure, were attracted to me only because I wore a badge.  Were these men male Badge Bunnies trying to score with female cops?  I don't know, but I was always able to shut them down by telling them my husband is a world-champion pistol shooter.  Worked every time.
So, getting back to female Badge Bunnies, from what I've seen (and heard), these gals will go where they know cops hang out and then flirt aggressively.  Many Badge Bunnies don't care if their 'target' cop is married or not – in fact, there are some bunnies who seek out the cop wearing a wedding ring.
There are some cops who will 'romp' with every bunny who comes his way.  Some cops avoid bunnies like the plague.  But one thing clearly evident is that cops have lost their jobs, marriages, relationships and even their lives over Badge Bunnies.
Officers who've learned the hard way about Badge Bunnies usually tell their younger counterparts that bunnies are usually nuts and offer the sage old advice:  "Your Badge Will Get You Pussy, but Pussy Will Get Your Badge!"  But how effective do you think that is with a young good-looking cop in a uniform who gets hit on several times a day?
Danger from bunnies is not relegated to the usual cop spots either. Dispatchers, nurses, and even female cops can be bunnies – and the male officers aren't shy about passing bunny names around.  It's considered poor form for a bunny to 'date' more than one cop at a time, but many don't care and will have several cops a week over to her hutch.
First responders aren't the only professions to garner the attention of the bunnies.  Military men, college professors, and athletes are prone to bunny love too.  In fact, women who seek out cowboys are called Buckle Bunnies, and women who hunt hockey players are called 'Puck Bunnies.' (Don't try to say THAT fast five times!) 
Needless to say, wives and girlfriends of police officers or firefighters etc. don't hold Badge Bunnies in high regard.  Being married to a cop can be highly stressful, and due to the demands and odd hours of the job, it takes a lot of work to keep cop's marriage together.  Bringing a bunny into the picture usually doesn't help.
Speaking of stress in the marriage of a police officer, I'd like to tell you a little about my next book, A Deadly Blessing.The critically-ill daughter of the governor of California has been kidnapped. LAPD Detective Maddie Divine is assigned to find her before it's too late. But this high-profile case comes with secrets on every side: cops, politicians, even the innocent.
Maddie Divine: Her marriage hangs by a thread, her SWAT-officer husband has lost it, and almost as bad, she can't trust her detective partner.
Travis Divine: After the death of a SWAT teammate, he's a shell of the man he used to be.  He's lost touch with his work, his wife and occasionally even reality.  Can he regain the warrior mentality needed to support Maddie and do his job?
Preston Truesdale: The California governor's daughter has gone missing, and so has her only bone marrow donor.  Is it coincidence or something more sinister?
Pilar Luna: The mayor of Los Angeles is a media favorite, and she plays Preston like a Vegas pro would play a Midwestern farmboy…all in hopes of reaching the White House.  Will she hit the jackpot?
Tiffany Truesdale: The brainiac teenager evaded her security team to spend a night on the town with her girlfriends, but can she outwit the man who kidnapped her before time runs out? 

A Deadly Blessing is a lightning-paced story of suspense that will keep readers on edge from beginning to end.  Coming April 2012! 
About the Author -
Kathy Bennett is no stranger to murder and mayhem. A twenty-one year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, her authentic crime experience results in arresting stories.
Most of Kathy's career was spent working patrol in a black and white police car. Prior to retirement, Kathy was assigned as a Senior Lead Officer, with approximately five square miles in the San Fernando Valley her responsibility regarding crime and quality of life issues.
Kathy also served as a Firearms Instructor at the LAPD Police Academy, a crime analyst in the 'War Room', a Field Training Officer, and worked undercover in various assignments. She was named Officer of the Quarter twice, and Officer of the Year once.
She's married to a Los Angeles Police Officer, and they have one daughter and one granddaughter. Kathy has written two romantic suspense manuscripts and is currently revising her third book - a suspense novel. Her novel, A Dozen Deadly Roses was released in June 2011.

You can find Kathy here -Website/BlogTwitter Blurb -Los Angeles Police Officer Jade Donovan is being hunted. There's the lieutenant who's out to get her, the psycho who's stalking her and leaving dead roses at her door, but most frightening of all, she's been assigned to partner with her son's father, Mac Stryker. Mac doesn't know he's Donnie's dad, and Jade will stop at nothing to prevent him from finding out and possibly taking away her son. She will protect and defend him at all costs.

Mac Stryker is a cop with something to prove. Five years ago, he'd been forced to resign the police department in disgrace when he was too drunk to take action during a shooting. Now, Mac is sober, back on the force and back working with Jade Donovan, the rookie who'd saved his life. Worse, he finds himself attracted to Jade and her precocious son, Donnie. But Mac is through with love. The violent death of his wife and daughter turned him into an alcoholic, and he won't put his job or his heart at risk again. He will protect and defend them both at all costs.


But when the deadline looms on Jade's dozen deadly roses stalker, will the two partners manage to put aside their differences in order to save their son? 

A Dozen Deadly Roses is just .99 at -AmazonBarnes & NobleSmashwords
This Badge Bunny stuff is news to me. How about you? Have you heard the term or can you add to the list?
Leave a comment for Kathy so maybe she'll come back and visit again sometime!

Blurb - 
The Realtors:  Life in the House Lane Love is an easy word to use, a hard one to demonstrate, and sometimes impossible to trust.             The Realtors is a sweeping epic, encompassing over ten years in the lives of two people who know how to love with their bodies, how to please and get pleasure, to control and be controlled.  When it comes to the deeper meaning of the one word they both need however, their strong personalities get in the way. While their physical connection sizzles they continue to disappoint one another emotionally.            Jack Gordon has it all--money, success, a string of women—but sustains a deep longing for something more. When he thinks he finds it with Sara Jane Thornton, his world is never the same again.  Sara releases his natural Dom, a side of him he'd thought buried out of frustration and unhappiness. Sara learns a true submissive must trust implicitly, something she cannot associate with him, no matter how many times she tries, and he fails.            With a rich cast of secondary characters, including a young man who presents a near-perfect foil to Jack's intensity, and who falls hard for Sara; The Realtors series is a romantic saga with an emphasis on contemporary life and love, with a healthy dose of white-hot eroticism. Modern, busy, driven characters living lives of purpose and real-time stress, seek the ever-elusive and highly coveted combination --a friend, lover and trusted advisor who will be there for the long haul.
As some of you might know, I'm a big fan of series romances, so I asked Liz to tell us a bit about how she developed The Realtors into a series. Take it away, Liz!
Hey Roz, thanks for having me!Yeah, I love a juicy series too.  Reading AND writing them!
If a story is well-written I find myself falling so much in love or lust or fascination with characters that I can't stand not knowing more. Luckily, because the characters I write are mine, I have it within my power to keep going--to keep telling their story and the stories of those around them. 
I've been "accused" of writing secondary characters in many of my books that are just as compelling as the main ones, and typically I use them to launch a series.  My Turkish Delights series with Decadent grew that way.
But The Realtors really is the longer story of the two main characters as opposed of a series of spin off novels from one main one.  It began life as a big ass novel, with a sequel.  It's the first big project I tried, truly my very first foray into writing fiction about three years ago.  It's gone through several bouts of crits, many pretty massive rewrites as I honed my craft thanks to the help of editors with various publishers, and finally formed itself into the 3  novels of fairly equal length that cover about 12 years in the life of Jack Gordon and Sara Thornton, their families, friends, lovers and finally the one thing that brings them together and keeps them that way despite clashing similar personalities and seemingly conflicting life goals.
Yeah, there is a pretty compelling distraction for her along the way and one that some reviewers have latched onto as a "better" option for Sara (see: hot new blond guitar-playing, motorcycle-riding, nice guy named Craig).  But ultimately, this story is about how 2 people are simply meant to be together and how, as real human beings with real faults and failings, they are willing to overlook those in each other and embrace the love between them.  I don't write sweet romance though so be warned. You will get aggravated at both of them at times, but so far reviewers say they are so compelling, so realistic, you don't want to ever stop reading.  
The story developed fairly organically as do most of my books.  I typically start with one very hot scene (in this case it's in the hallway of her office and one that most reviewers are still fanning their faces over to my satisfaction) to kick things off.  I like to create a couple (they all start this way regardless of how many folks end up together but that's not this story), give them a compelling reason to be together (similar professions, friends, whatever) then a real reason to NOT be and see how they sort it out.  With Jack and Sara, that process takes a while, involves some seriously hot scenes that Realtors can relate to (the empty condo showing, the empty sales office, the empty Open House...) adds an element of "the other guy" plus a few reasons for Sara to be intensely jealous of Jack's many (many) former lovers.  I also pull in the story of Sara's brother Blake, who she is very close to and nearly ruins his own relationship because of his over-protective nature. Blake and Rob's story is begging to be told.  And I will, I promise.  There are some pretty steamy moments between them, because, like I said, I like a layered story, with secondary characters you want to care about and know better.


Jack Gordon is Ann Arbor's most delectable bachelor.  At age thirty-five, he's made millions as a top-selling Ann Arbor real estate broker and has the right connections to close a deal by any means necessary. With his rugged good looks and compelling personality, he has a virtual black book most men would kill for and he uses it often, never settling for one woman for very long. While his D/s past remains buried, exactly where he wants it, an undercurrent of boredom and dissatisfaction runs through his life now.  A disastrous experience years earlier made him swear off the whole scene, but the more Jack suppresses his natural Dom, the more his frustration grows.   Sara Thornton, a rookie in the real estate game, has fast-tracked herself to the top of the Ann Arbor market. Her life reflects a disciplined and focused routine, exactly the way she wants it.  However, as her career takes off, the fulfillment she seeks remains inexplicably out of reach.  The one thing she knows for sure, she will not join the Jack Gordon groupies in her company, no matter how tempting that might seem.

Jack Gordon thought he'd finally made it.  He had a wildly successful career, money in the bank and even returned to his life as Dom, putting an end to a string of unfulfilling sexual encounters. Now that he's made the ultimate commitment to Sara Thornton, he believes all is right in their world. However, a series of misunderstandings and a dose of self-fulfilling prophesy bring his perfectly crafted house of cards tumbling down around him, forcing him to confront lingering misgivings about marriage and trust.  Could those be the only two things he can never achieve? Sara struggles with her intense need for Jack and her desire for less volatility in her busy life, two goals which appear to be mutually exclusive. Although willing to put in the time and emotional effort to make their relationship work, she finds it futile and frustrating, littered with clashes thanks to near-identical personalities and temperaments. Given Sara's history, easing back into the comfortable status quo becomes easier than fighting a war with the one person who should be her safe haven. But will the easier choice satisfy her the way only Jack can? Is her "war" one that comes from without or within?Buffeted by circumstance, temptation and distraction, Jack and Sara's tenuous relationship crumbles, sparking a continuous quest for the ever elusive: trust, love and acceptance. By the time they rebuild a foundation for renewal, fate has other plans. This leaves them both reeling, once again questioning their destiny.





Love conquers all? Not likely, according to Sara Thornton. She's spent eight years coming to terms with the new parameters of her life while resigning herself to the idea that "happily ever afters" are best left to fairytales.  Sales manager for her successful real estate office and juggling an added element of responsibility she never thought she'd face, Sara continues to struggle with the men in her life.  Love, for her, has only meant hurt, broken trust and anger; all of which she's completely banished from her life, so she claims.                Jack Gordon has come a long way since his early Excerpt - 
Sara knew she hovered at a precipice. She could make a choice. At that moment, her body craved release but her brain had settled; her nerves no longer jangled as they had been doing for weeks. The rough sound of his voice, the touch of his hand, just the looks he'd been shooting her all night had brought her to that moment. She took a breath and let it take her, let her body fully relax for the first time in months. 
As if he sensed her giving way, he held on tight from behind, cupping her breasts, then moving down to tease her clit and pussy again, never staying in one place long. "I think we need one more thing, don't you?" He must have shed his shirt at some point and the delicious sensation of his flesh against her back made her sigh, and arch her hips. He put a foot between hers, shoving his thigh against her pussy. She moved her hips, ground against his leg, needing to climax so badly she wanted to cry. She did cry, could hear herself sobbing; could feel the tears slip out from under the blindfold. 
"Arch your back Sara," Jack commanded as he pushed one leg away from the other, forcing her legs apart. 
Panic shot through her. The moment she'd been attacked last year came swirling through her brain. She tugged at the restraint over her head. 
"No, I can't. I'm scared. My feet are getting numb. I can't—I can't feel my hands. Jack." Her voice sounded breathy, anxious, but her brain kept pouring some kind of calming elixir over her nerves. It had to be the strangest sensation in the world. Abject terror, white-hot fury, and a clean pure jolt of need warred in her. Then nothing. Crystal clear calm made it all the turbulence, all the chaos of her last year fade into nothingness, like it had never happened. She tasted her own tears. 
"I know. Give it to me. Let me have it." He bit her neck, ran a hand across her ass. "Give it to me Sara." She winced when his palm met her flesh, the smacking sound echoing around in her ears. "It's mine. All of it. Your fear, hate, anger, love—it's mine. Give it to me." He smacked her again, then once more, harder. "Come. Now." Her body obeyed even as the astonishing tranquility poured through her psyche. Fluid coated her thighs as she moaned, cried his name, but couldn't hear herself. Her words slurred and her vision darkened behind the blindfold. The orgasm plowed her under, made her whole body release energy from the tip of her tingling scalp to her shaking toes. She slumped, letting the leather hold her up, pull at her sore shoulders.
Wow! That was some excerpt!! Let's get to know Liz Crowe.

Microbrewery owner, multi-published author, beer blogger and journalist, mom of three teenagers, and soccer fan, Liz brings years of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as an ex-pat trailing spouse PLUS making her way in a world of men (i.e. the beer industry) to her life as erotic romance author.  When she isn't sweating inventory and sales figures for the brewery, she can be found writing, editing or sweating promotional efforts for her latest publications.
Otherwise, look for her doing pounds of laundry for her athletic children, watching La Liga on the Fox Soccer Channel, or trying to figure out what to order in for dinner. Liz loves her Foo Fighters Pandora station, and watching reruns of Deadwood, when there isn't any decent sports on the telly (like during "golf season").  Her beer blog a2beerwench.com is nationally recognized for its insider yet outsider views on the craft beer industry. Her books are set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch and in high powered real estate offices.  Don't ask her for anything "like" a Budweiser or risk painful injury.
Publishers include: Tri DestinyEllora's CaveDecadent PublishingRebel Ink PressBreathless Press
Links -  www.brewingpassion.comwww.facebook.com/lizcroweauthorwww.twitter.com/beerwencha2http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-floortime-675855-144.html  (FLOOR TIME buy link)

As if you need a reason to leave a comment - 
One random commenter at each stop will win either one of five $10 Amazon gift cards, one of three winner's choice of a book from Liz's backlist, or one of two $20 Zinterman's gift certificates. Zingerman's is an Ann Arbor institution, world famous for its gourmet deli items, breads and desserts all of which can be ordered and shipped ANYWHERE in the world. www.Zingermans.com.




Follow the tour here - 

Six Little Sentences from - 

Megan stared at Jeff's retreating back. To be such simple creatures, men could be totally incomprehensible at times. First Jason, now Jeff. She felt like the ballerina in the jewelry box she had when she was a kid, wound up, and dancing in circles until she was dizzy and confused. And, like that tiny ballerina, once they slammed the lid down, completely in the dark. She cleared the table with more than a grumble at being left to do the kitchen clean-up by herself. It would serve them both right to wake up to a dirty kitchen. 
Inside Heat - Available here -
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Visit my Website.Back to Six Sentence Sunday.
Thanks for stopping by!

 

Tomorrow is the big day - St. Patrick's Day!
My real last name is very Irish, even though I personally haven't got a drop of Irish blood, it seems my daughters got their share - especially my oldest. She is often told she looks Irish, and then when they learn her name, the observers congratulate themselves on their astute powers - much to her annoyance!
When the girls were little, and believed in magical creatures like leprechauns, I looked forward to St. Patrick's Day. It was usually a school day, and I would get up early and set things into motion. Armed with a bottle of green food coloring, I turned the leprechaun in me loose!A drop or two in the bottom of a glass, a cereal bowl, or sometimes in a mixing bowl was all it took. When the girls came down, I'd grab the jug of apple juice and the pre-prepared glasses from the cabinet. While I gathered things for their breakfast, we talked about St. Patrick's Day, and I made sure they wore something green. I'd mention that I hoped the mischievous leprechauns stayed away - just to make sure the girls were primed. Then I'd pour the juice or milk, and as the glass or bowl filled, the liquid turned green! The girls would giggle and point as I pretended not to notice - then I'd shriek and blame the leprechauns. The ruse worked pretty well with pancake batter too. At any rate, the girls went to school with a smile on their face, and always with a green cookie or other treat in their lunchbox.
Well, that's my St. Patrick's Day story. Silly, but fun.
Now, for the giveaway.
I'm making it easy on you. All you have to do is leave a comment below to enter the contest. One lucky person will win their choice of books from the Lothario Series - THE LUST BOAT, SHOW ME THE ROPES, LOVE ME TWICE, FOUR OF HEARTS, or UNDER THE COVERS.
I'd appreciate it if you took a moment to peruse a few of my books. They're all on my website, so if you have a minute, stop by and take a look. Here's the link.
So...tell me what you do for St. Patrick's Day, silly or otherwise. And remember, if you must drink, don't drive. 

Here's the linky to the other participating authors. Make sure to visit as many as you can and leave a comment to enter the grand prize drawing to win a Kindle Fire of a Nook Color or you could win a $90 Gift Card to Amazon or B&N.

Okay - Who among you doesn't like a western with hot guys who rescue damsels in distress while wearing cowboy hats and carrying guns? Uh huh. I thought so.  Help me welcome, Elyssa Hendricks! She's got a fabulous blog for you today, and... an excerpt from her book -
Blurb: A convent reared innocent and a gunslinger with no memory struggle to survive and find love while crossing the dangerous west Texas frontier.

Abandoned by his father and betrayed by his half-brother and fiancee on the eve of his wedding, JAKE GALLAGHER no longer believes in love. Though he longs to go home, his undercover work for the Texas Rangers keeps him in a lawless Texas border town. Even though it jeopardizes his mission he refuses to stand by and watch outlaws rape and murder a young woman. Getting shot and losing his memory wasn't part of his plan.

While fleeing from her stepfather's plans to steal their ranch, CHRISTINA GOODWIN witnesses her brother's murder and is left in the hands of a merciless band of outlaws. Raised in a strict convent, Christina has little knowledge of men or the world, its dangers and temptations. Frightened and alone, she is forced to accept the help of the dark gunslinger who rescues her. Though drawn to Jake's potent masculinity, she hesitates to trust him, fearing her stepfather has sent him to bring her back. Unsure of Jake's motives for helping her, she struggles against him, determined to find a way to avenge her brother's death and regain control of her ranch from her stepfather.


LET'S TALK ABOUT SEXBy Elysa Hendricks
When Roz asked me (I begged her) to be a guest on her blog, I panicked. I might be a great (good/fair?) fiction writer but I'm horrible at writing blogs. I'm not one of those people who can look out the window, see a bird pecking at birdseed and wax poetic on the meaning of life. To me it's just a bird having lunch. And as far as blogging about my life. Forget it. No one wants to read about my vanilla bland, boring life. Nothing exciting to write about there.Then Roz mentioned that she preferred that I not get into controversial subjects like politics and religion. Okay, that was fine with me. I'm not a political person. Usually if there's no woman on the ballot I vote the einie meenie minie moe method. And I get my political news from Comedy Central's The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, so not blogging about politics is probably a good rule for me to follow.Religion, now there's subject I could sink my teeth into, but most religious symbols make my long, pointed canines hurt, so I'd best keep my mouth shut on this subject and not make anyone mad. Since I don't have a clue about the meaning of life, and politics and religion are out, what's left to blog about?I know! Everyone's favorite subject - SEX.  Since every child on the planet, aside from one (oops, almost slipped into blogging about religion) is a result of their parents having sex the subject can't possibly offend or upset anyone. Right?  Right. Besides as everyone knows because I'm a "romance" writer I must know everything there is to know about sex. I must be an expert on the subject. Right?Wrong. I'm an expert (X-meaning unknown and spurt-meaning drip under pressure) on the subject of writing about other people, other fictional people having sex. (They contort a lot easier than real people.) That doesn't mean that in my real life I'm any kind of sex-pert. But despite my murmurs of protest I get a lot of questions about the love (sex) scenes in my books. And I don't even write all that steamy. Some of my books are even sex-free.Do people who read murder mysteries think that the authors of those books are expert serial killers who just haven't been caught? Do they think fantasy writers cast spells to sell their books? Or do they think that sci-fi writers regularly vacation on the moon? Probably not. Thank goodness the majority of readers are normal, well-adjusted, rational human beings. They realize that ninety-nine percent of what happens in a fiction book comes from the writer's imagination, not their personal experience.But then there are those readers who've lost touch with reality and believe that Edward, Bella and Jacob are real people. They're the ones who ask my husband of nearly forty years if I use him to try out everything (wink, wink) I write about. Fortunately for me he's a good sport. Mostly he just smiles. However he has been known to introduce me to people as his wife the romance author then go on to tell them that anything beyond "normal" (whatever that is) sex in my books is totally the result of my imagination. You'd think as a man he'd be proud to claim he's taught me everything I know.Now don't get me wrong, I like (love) sex as much as the next woman, but what happens in my bedroom (living room, backseat of the car, airplane bathroom - I wish) stays in my bedroom (or wherever.) The love scenes (sex) you'll find in my books is ninety-nine (well, maybe fifty) percent a result of my active imagination. So if you want to know what goes on in my bedroom (or wherever,) you're out of luck. But if you want to read some great (good/fair?) stories about people falling in love and finding their Happily Ever After

Here's an Excerpt from This Heart for Hire .

Christina's eyes widened at the sight of the bulge threatening to escape the gap in the man's trousers. She could almost still feel it pressing against the juncture of her thighs. Her hands trembled in rage."How dare you touch me?" She tightened her grip on the gun with one hand and with the other dragged the blanket up in an attempt to cover her torn nightdress.He shrugged his shoulders. "I apologize for my ungentlemanly behavior."He didn't sound sorry, he sounded amused.What should she do now? Shoot him? The thought tempted her, but what about the men downstairs? He'd saved her from them. But for what purpose? Perspiration prickled under her arms."You know how to shoot a pistol, Kitten?""Be quiet or you'll find out. And stop calling me that ridiculous name. I need to think.""Anything you say, ma'am."Nothing in her convent training prepared her for this situation. The only men she remembered dealing with were Father Jose, her brother Christopher, and her stepfather. This man was nothing like them.In the dimly lit room, she couldn't make out the man's features, but he appeared tall, with broad shoulders and lean hips. He exuded an aura of strength and power. Even Mother Superior would have trouble giving orders to this man.She gulped and felt her skin grow warm. Bruised and battered, physically and mentally, she longed to curl up under the covers and weep. She couldn't. Christopher was gone, dead, killed by the men below. The sound of a shot had jolted her from sleep just before a man burst into her room.Alone now, she didn't have time to weep. She needed to be strong.Struggling to make sense out of the events, her brain refused to function. The terror of the last hour, combined with her travel exhaustion, left her lost and confused.The floorboards squeaked as the man shifted his weight."I said don't move." Her voice shook, along with the gun."Yes, ma'am."Christina focused on him. Unless she took care she would join her brother...or worse."If you don't mind, it's a mite chilly." The man gestured toward his shirt lying near the foot of the bed.Christina stared at his bare chest. Chilly? She felt hot. She nodded curtly.He bent over and picked up his shirt."Back over there and get dressed." She used the heavy gun to motion him toward the room's far corner.He complied, but the small room still left him too close for her to relax.Tears started at the back of her eyes. She blinked them away. Christopher was dead and the blame lay with her. He hadn't wanted to stay in this seedy little town, but after two weeks on the trail, she begged for one night in a real bed.After she overheard their stepfather's plans, she persuaded Christopher to flee the Rocking A ranch, though he argued they should stay and confront the man.If they had stayed, would Christopher be alive? Or would they both be dead?Four years younger than Christopher, Christina didn't know her brother well. For the last twelve years Christopher lived in St. Louis with their uncle, while their stepfather left her to be raised in the convent. Though they corresponded, only within the last month were they reunited.Their childhood affection remained intact, but they were strangers. Still, she would miss him.The gun barrel tipped downward. Her gaze followed. She swallowed at the sight the gun now targeted on the man. Tightening her grip, she lifted both her eyes and the gun upward.Dangerous. The word came to mind as Christina watched the man button his trousers and pull on his shirt. He moved with the fluid grace of a big cat.She remembered the strength his rugged body held and how easily he took control. The memory of his hard muscles holding her helpless against the bed made her shudder. Still, he hadn't hurt her. His grip, while inflexible, wasn't painful. Not like those other men who pawed her with hurtful hands. Yet, if not for the gun she held, how long before he finished what he started?"May I sit?"Christina jumped. She did it again, allowed her mind to wander. The man stood in front of her, his chest practically touched the muzzle of the gun. His closeness reignited her fear. Scrambling backward on the bed, she lost her balance and tumbled sideways. The gun slipped from her moist fingers and fell with a clunk to the floor at his feet.Afraid to raise her eyes, she sprawled helpless across the bed. What would he do now? Rape her? Shoot her? Unsure what rape entailed, she didn't know which fate would be worse."I think you dropped this." The man's voice, low and soothing, penetrated her haze. She forced herself to look up at him.One knee on the bed, he loomed over her, a dark, threatening presence. The gun rested loosely on his open palm.Her eyes widened in shock. He was giving her the gun! Was it a trick?"Go ahead. Take it if it makes you feel better." He grinned at her. "If you like I'll even show you how to shoot it." He laid the gun next to her hand and backed away.Christina looked at the gun then at him. She shook her head. Despite everything she knew she couldn't shoot him, even if she could figure out how. Killing was a mortal sin.The man ran his hand through his hair and scowled. "Damnation woman, let's get something straight." He leaned toward her, then swore again as she tried to scramble further away. The blanket slid through her fingers and tangled around her hips and legs, ensnaring her.Before she could free herself and escape, he sat down and wrapped the scratchy blanket around her shoulders."Listen to me."Caught between his hard body and the wall, what choice did she have? She refused to look at him."I'm not going to rape, or shoot or otherwise hurt you."His words, while she assumed were meant to reassure her, sounded harsh and angry."I didn't rescue you from those animals downstairs to finish the job myself. I am not going to hurt you." He barked the words at her. "I don't take unwilling women to bed."He wasn't going to rape or shoot her. Venturing a look at his scowling face, she placed her palm against his chest, where his shirt lay open, to push him away. Warmth from his smooth, surprisingly soft skin seeped into her fingers.  "You took off your clothes." She struggled to keep the quiver of fear out of her voice.The man shifted on the bed. A hint of red appeared on his cheeks. "Yeah, well, not all of them.""Only because I stopped you.""Maybe." He flashed her a boyish grin. "I had to convince Conchita you were my woman, not Rico's." He put a finger beneath her chin and lifted her face to his. "Did I hurt you?" His eyes locked on hers."No-o," she stammered."Well then, what's the problem?""But-but, I..." She looked up at the dark stranger in confusion. No, he hadn't hurt her. Yes, he saved her from the men below. But for what? If he didn't want her body and he didn't mean to kill her, what did he plan on doing with her?Her eyes widened. Oh no! Had her stepfather sent him to bring her back?"I'm not going back." She went rigid and spat the words at him."Back?"She curled the hand laying on his chest into a claw and raked it across his skin.The man jumped. "What the Hell!" He grabbed her wrists as she tried to scramble away.Though unsure of its meaning, Christina shouted a word Conchita had used. "Let go, Bastardo!"Christina fought his hold. No match for his strength, she wiggled in impotent fury when he trussed her in the blanket like some Egyptian mummy. "Let me loose! How much is my stepfather paying you? I'll double it."Ignoring her outburst, the man went over to the window to examine the scratches on his chest. Though superficial, they had to sting. The satisfaction Christina took in the fact caused her convent-reared soul only a moment of guilt. He deserved it. As if he heard her thoughts, he turned around and glared at her. She went still and watched him warily."What in the hell am I going to do with you? I've got a job to do, if I haven't already blown it. It won't be long before Rico's men realize what they've let slip through their fingers. I need to get you out of here before they demand I give you back. But how?" Though he spoke out loud, Christina realized he wasn't addressing his comments to her.He stalked over to the room's one window. "Can't get out this way. Room's a good twenty feet up. No ledges."Opening the door a crack, he peered out. "No way I can sneak you past them now. But they're drinking heavily. Maybe we'll get lucky later and they'll all pass out. A slim chance, but it looks like our only one." He closed the door and propped a chair under the doorknob. "Won't keep anyone out for long, but the noise will give us a few seconds warning."He moved back to the bed and lay down, pinning her between his body and the wall. She tried to stay stiff, but his heat and scent wrapped around her."Move over," he growled in her ear. "I've been on the trail for the last three days, catching up with Rico. I need some sleep and so do you. Besides, looks like we're stuck here 'til morning.""What are you doing?"Squirming to put some space between them she loosened the blanket and managed to shove an elbow in his midsection."Oof! Be still or I'll tie you up." He put his arm around her waist."Unhand me this instant! Go sleep on the floor.""Not likely. I'm staying right here so I can keep an eye and a hand on you. But you go on wiggling if it makes you feel better."Under her breath, she muttered one of the words Conchita had used. Though she knew the word was improper, it accurately reflected her feelings at the moment."What was that?"The man's laughter felt warm against the nape of her neck, stirring the fine hairs. The scent of him, leather and beer, mingled with soap and spice, teased her nose. A shiver, unrelated to fear, went through her.Within minutes his body relaxed in slumber.Christina held herself rigid in his embrace. She wouldn't go back. She would never agree to marry her stepfather.As surely as if he pulled the trigger himself John Anderson killed Christopher. She didn't know how, but she would make him pay for his crimes, past and present.Exhaustion warred with anger, but her fear faded. Held close against the stranger's hard body, she felt oddly secure. His warmth wrapped around her like a thick blanket making her feel safe and protected rather than threatened. The heat of his large hands splayed across her belly penetrated her thin nightdress. His other hand rested below her heart, his fingers brushing the underside of her breast. She wiggled trying to dislodge his hands. He responded by tightening his hold.Like a big mountain cat, he would pounce at her first attempt to rise. If her stepfather sent this man after her, she was well and truly caught.

And a bit about Elyssa Hendricks - 


After trying her hand at a variety of careers, insurance underwriter, video storeowner, home day care and cleaning houses, Elysa Hendricks, a longtime reader sat down to write a short contemporary novel.  When her heroine turned out to be a winged, telepathic alien, Elysa decided she enjoyed writing stories set in different places and times.
While living in north east Illinois she helped found the Windy City Chapter and the Futuristic, Fantasy & Paranormal Chapters of Romance Writers of America and taught workshops on writing at writer's conferences and at local community colleges.  Recently relocated to central Ohio she's happy to be part of the Central Ohio Fiction Writer family.
Someday she dreams of writing on a laptop while sitting on a tropical beach.  In the meantime she keeps warm during Ohio's chilly winters by creating sizzling love scenes.

Buy THIS HEART FOR HIRE -
Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/THIS-HEART-FOR-HIRE-ebook/dp/B005VF01TYBarnes & Noblehttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-heart-for-hire-elysa-hendricks/1107511098Smashwordshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95878

Connect with Elyssa - 

Web site:http://www.elysahendricks.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elysa-Hendricks-Author/137316289643103

Please leave a comment for Elyssa!

Yep, I've stepped out of the house today. You can find me over at Shannon Leigh's blog musing about Adulthood and Summer Nights.


Hop on over if you get a chance!


http://authorshannonleigh.blogspot.com/?zx=8c376adeba140616 

Welcome! I hope you remembered to set you clock forward this morning. I guess that makes it official - we've set the clocks forward, so it must be baseball season!
Here's a snippet from INSIDE HEAT, set in the world of professional baseball - one of my all-time favorite sports.
Megan has finally set aside her qualms about being with Jeff and Jason at the same time. 
They kept up a litany of praise as they took her. She barely registered their words as her nerve endings sent frantic messages to her brain from every part of her body. As she lay like a limp doll between Jeff and Jason, their hands and lips made sure no part of her lacked for attention. It was like a drug, this overdose of pleasure. Could one die from too much pleasure? As her body coiled tightly around her center, she knew she was willing to die right here, right now, if only she could reach the pinnacle that was so close.


Inside Heat is available from -
Amazon
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Back to Six Sentence Sunday

Today, my guest is Heather Thurmeier. I'm always in awe of other writers, especially the ones who have small children, a spouse and a house to take care of in addition to writing. Heather is one of those people, and she's sharing her wisdom with us today, as well as an excerpt from her book, LOVE ON LANDING. Take it away, Heather!


Wife and Mother as Inspiration for Writing
I think everything in real life leads to some kind of inspiration in my writing, including begin a wife and mother. However, I don't think they inspire me in the way you're probably thinking.
It's not the time that my husband will send me flowers for no reason that inspires a romantic scene in a book. Or the hugs and kisses I get from the kids inspiring the heartfelt love that a heroine feels for her family. Of course those things are a part of me and therefore become a tiny bit of my writing, but I wouldn't say those moments are the inspiration for my writing.
Being a wife and a mother inspires me in the most simply way—they inspire me to just do the thing I love to the best of my ability. I know I'm not the best writer in the world, but I love being a writer and it makes me feel good to share my stories with readers. But at times, it's hard to go through this process of writing and somehow stay motivated to keep going when times get tough. I do carry on because my husband and my kids are there beside me on the couch cheering me on to type the next scene, to send out that manuscript again because maybe the next editor will like it, or to start a new idea when I'm tired and just want to give up.
It's my kids and my husband looking at me with pride in their eyes that inspires me to keep going and keep writing the best stories I can write.
Who inspires you?
Heather Thurmeier~Heart, humor and a happily ever after.
About Heather:Heather Thurmeier was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now she lives in upstate New York with her own personal romance Hero (aka her husband) and their two little princesses. When she's not busy taking care of the kids and an adventurous puppy named Indy, Heather's hard at work on her next romance novel. She loves to hear from readers. Heart, humor, and a happily ever after.
Website: http://heatherthurmeier.comEmail: [email protected]: @hthurmeierFacebook: Heather Thurmeier, author





Blurb: When Tali tries to recover from a recent break-up with a trip to Paris for some retail therapy, she discovers shopping isn't the only way to cure her broken heart. On route, she meets new pilot, Gavin. Tali and Gavin have instant chemistry and friction as their personalities clash at 30,000 feet.
One night in bed isn't enough to quell the fireworks between Tali and Gavin and when tempers erupt, Tali's ex-boyfriend is there to pick up the pieces. Too bad she's finally realized what she really wants in life…and it isn't her ex or the life her father has planned back home.
Now all Tali wants is the man who loved her enough to tell her what she didn't want to hear, but can she win his heart back again on the trip home and find Love on Landing?
Excerpt:
"No, I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell just happened." She put her hand on his arm, stopping him when he tried to walk down the street. His biceps bulged under her fingers and she couldn't help but squeeze him a little tighter.
Gavin turned to face her. He bent down until his face was level with hers, his mouth hovering so close to hers that she could stick out her tongue and lick him. God she wanted to lick him.But she wouldn't. That wouldn't exactly be appropriate behavior for two friends while walking down the streets of Paris."I said it's nothing. Don't worry about it."Lick him.She licked her own lips instead, urging her internal voice to shut the hell up. "It is something. You're lying to me.""You're right, there is something wrong." He stared at her for a long moment, his mouth so close to touching hers, she could practically taste him already. "You promised me dinner of my choice and I'm starving. Let's go eat."She tried to mutter a response, but her tongue didn't seem to work anymore for anything other than kissing him. How could he think about eating right now? All she could think about was the heat of his body melting into her, warming her right to her core."I'll take your answer as a yes. This way." He took her hand in his free one and guided her down the street.

Purchase - LOVE ON LANDING - Silver Publishing AmazonBarnes & Noble

Heather will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon GC to the host whose post receives the most comments. 
So...What inspires you?
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So...I was trying to think of something I could share with you that would tie in with the St. Patrick's Day theme, and I was coming up with...nothing. Sure, my real name is very Irish, but I married into it. That doesn't keep me from claiming some of that famed Irish luck whenever I can! But, anyway, back to the story. I've written a few characters with Irish roots - the Callahan brothers for example, Ryan and Sean. They're pretty fantastic, if I do say so myself. They both have recurring roles in my Lothario series books. The first in the series, THE LUST BOAT is Ryan's story, and the third, LOVE ME TWICE is Sean's story, so to honor those two wickedly sexy guys, I'm going to give one lucky (see how I worked that in) person an ebook copy of both titles.
And since the Lothario is known for its Midnight Chocolate Buffet, here's what's being served onboard for St. Patrick's Day. You can find the recipe on my website, complete with a downloadable PDF version to make life easier for you.

Chocolate Guinness Cake
Here's a short excerpt from THE LUST BOAT -
Ryan Callahan

The moan escaped her as Thor flipped the wrap open to expose her bushy mound, covered by the scrap of white cloth he'd optimistically called an undergarment. She knew she should sit up and slap him silly, but it felt too good. Ryan's hands mirrored Thor's as they gently rolled her thighs open and kneaded the soft flesh there. She tried to block Thor out of her mind and imagine only Ryan's hands on her. Fingers slid between her folds, protected by the fine silk panty. "Ah, Ryan, you are a lucky man," Thor said. "See how she responds to your touch?"            Could this get any worse? The silk panty clung to her skin as the fabric pressed into the moisture pooling there. "Put pressure here." The heel of his hand pressed down over her mound. Thor demonstrated the technique, rolling his hand against her. "Now you try it."            Thor's hand left her, taking his heat with him, only to be replaced by Ryan's hand that burned even hotter. She'd never been more embarrassed in her life, but oh God, it felt good. Ryan's touch overwhelmed her, reduced her to a mass of raw nerve endings. Thor continued to issue instructions to Ryan. His voice faded away in the sensual haze Candace drifted in. Lost in the incredible warmth and the need building inside her, she moved her hips, lifting against the delicious pressure Ryan created. 
And another from LOVE ME TWICE - 
Sean Callahan
She turned so she could see him and leaned against the railing. It was a mistake. His eyes, obscured by the aviator sunglasses, gave nothing away. Likewise, his face showed no sign of the roiling emotions the orange juice container guaranteed. He still wore his hair in a military cut, but perhaps to blend in on the ship, several days' stubble darkened his sharp jaw. Sprawled across the chaise, dressed in nothing more than turquoise shorts she recognized as crew issue, he looked every inch the seducer of women the ship was named for.It was going to take more than bravado to survive this encounter."You didn't come to see me or Drew, so why are you here?""I'm on vacation. I thought a cruise would be relaxing.""You always were a terrible liar."There wasn't any sense in arguing that point. She couldn't win because it was true. That flaw had been the bane of her existence within the CIA, and later, the DIA. Thankfully, she'd had other qualities that made her a valuable asset to the department. Apparently, a change from one bowl of alphabet soup to another had done nothing to improve her deceptive abilities. "I'm here on business. I need to talk to your brother." He raised the juice container to his lips and drained it. Not a good sign. "You work for?""That's none of your business.""If it involves the Lothario, it's my business. Ryan isn't onboard." His smile challenged her to argue the point."Richard Wolfe?""Also not here. It's me, or nobody.""Accidenti!" Crap! Some women had all the luck. She wasn't one of them. She turned her gaze to the open sea. "You're in charge?"He moved as quietly as a jaguar, and she knew, he could be equally deadly. Her heart raced as he joined her at the balustrade. One arm stretched across the small of her back, and his palm came to rest on the curve of her thigh and inched upward until it cupped her butt cheek. The scrap of lace covering it did nothing to filter the heat radiating from his skin to hers. His thumb stroked the soft flesh he found there. "If you can call it that. What's this about?" His voice dropped to that low register, the one that made her pussy clench and her mind go blank.
And here's where your luck comes in. All you have to do to enter the drawing for a free copy of THE LUST BOAT and LOVE ME TWICE is simply follow this blog, and leave me a message below to let me know you have done so. 
Bonus - Use the links at the bottom to Tweet or share this on another site. For every one you do, your name is gains another entry in the drawing. Be sure to mention this when you comment. I wouldn't want to miss something!
Don't forget to stop by my website and get the recipe for that yummy cake too!

Many thanks to our hosting sites - I Smell Sheep&Fictional Candy
And here's the linky to continue on the tour.

4 Star Review! The One Hundred Romances Project: Review: Still Taking Chances: Author submission in exchange for an honest review. Title: Still Taking Chances Author: Roz Lee Release Date: October 2011 Publisher:...