by Sarah | Sep 14, 2014 | Books, Holiday, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Welcome back to Tuesday Tales!
After a month’s hiatus, it feels great to be back in the swing of the TT! I spent my month off writing 100k+ words, finishing 3 books & getting a contract for 7 more of my Holidays in Lake Point series! I’m so excited! I’m glad I had that boost last month, because so far this one has been a real jerk to me.
Onto this week’s prompt! I apologize for this stunning, gorgeous picture I’m using. I have not yet had time (or cash) to shop for my real MC’s in this story I’m presenting, so I have to display abs here, the closest to my Hero I had on hand. He’s sure got the right build for my hockey-god…but he’s a little too old, and for once my hero doesn’t have any scruff…and the hair is not quite right. Still, he’s nice to look at so here’s abs for you as I give you one (maybe two at best) weeks of next years Valentine’s story – Heartstrings & Hockey Pucks.
This weeks prompt is to be inspired by the word Curly.
This week’s prompt fell into my current WIP for the Holidays in Lake Point series, Heartstrings & Hockey Pucks, mostly because my delectable hockey-god hero has curly black hair. 😀 Here he is getting ready for practice after an unexpected & impromptu romp in the sack with my heroine, and his best friend, Penelope “Pen”.
Cage’s alarm had gone off two hours ago, but he’d ignored it in favor of staying right where he was. Wrapped in his arms, Pen had her body flush against his. Every move of her supple body made his cock jump to attention. If they hadn’t been up half the night, he might have taken advantage. As it was, he should’ve been sleeping. Instead, he’d skipped working out, and just lay there alternately awake and dozing just to be close to her.
His secondary alarm went off with a quiet buzz, and he reached back to shut it off. He’d have no choice now but to get up, because that was his pre-practice alarm. Right as he prepared to disentangle from the gorgeous woman in his arms she stretched and wiggled her ass right up against him.
The tightness he’d suffered through all morning turned into a raging hard-on. He buried his face in her neck and groaned against her flesh. “You’re going to kill me in a slow torturous death,” he whispered against her sleeping form. “And I’m going to love every minute.”
A soft whimper escaped her lips, but her eyes didn’t open.
With great care to not wake her, he pulled his half-numb arm out from under her. When she shivered with his departure, he pulled the blanket up over her. He went to the bathroom and scrubbed his teeth and splashed cold water on his face.
The entire time he couldn’t stop grinning. He knew now, without a doubt, that Pen felt the same way about him. Sure, she might have been scared and skittish about how their lives and jobs could ever work, but she felt the same.
After the first impatient, rushed, and holy-shit-did-I-miss-this time, he’d stepped back and taken it slow. It had been years since he’d felt such a connection with Pen like that, like for the first time since their first time they connected deeper than ever.
Every girl since had paled in comparison, the lack of connection making the act little more than a release of pent-up frustration. With the exception of one short lived relationship, he’d not found anything even close. To this day he felt bad about that one relationship. Shandra had been a desperate attempt to get over Pen when she ended their friends with benefits. To prove it didn’t matter to himself, or to Pen.
While he hadn’t realized it at the time, he sure as hell did after the fact. Shandra didn’t deserve the guarded heart he’d offered. The woman had realized it too, and left his ass cold.
When Pen had told him she was leaving for Europe he’d been lost. He wanted to beg and plead for her to stay, but how could he? More than most people, he knew how crushed she’d been after Chicago. The opportunity to study in France under a master was too good to pass up. What sort of friend would he be if he stood in her way?
Although now she all but admitted him she’d wanted him to ask her to stay. Did she really want the path she insisted she did? How hard would she strangle him if he dared suggest it again.
Cage leaned on the counter and stared at his image in the mirror hard. His curly black hair stood at crazy angles of his head, evidence of the night he’d spent with Pen. Luckily, the cap he’d throw on, followed by his helmet would take care of that.
All he needed now was clothes, and then to see Pen again before he left. He hoped she’d come to his game tonight so he could give her a proper send off for Philly. If not, he’d have to come home in between practice and the game.
Then again, maybe he would anyway.
The goofy grin he’d been wearing deepened and he chuckled at his own reflection. “Idiot. You’re acting like a love sick fool.” He’d just have to ignore the fact that he’d robbed himself of this feeling for years, and enjoy it while he had it.
He threw on sweats and grabbed his bag, hauling it to the front door. Once he’d swung through the kitchen to start his coffee, he went back to Pen’s room. He leaned down over her and brushed his lips across her cheek. “I’ve got practice, Pen. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
Her mumbled reply was completely unintelligible, but she rolled onto her back. Blonde locks spread out across the dark sheets and a soft smile remained on her lips.
“Don’t go anywhere, okay?” He kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose. “Promise?”
She twitched her nose after his kiss and scratched it with the back of her hand. A soft sigh slipped through her lips as her eyes fluttered half open before closing.
“Pen,” he teased lightly at her earlobe. With a gentle nip to her neck he swore she sprang to life. Her body arched into his and she groaned low. He chuckled. “Four hours is too long. Wish I could stay.”
“Stay.” She sighed again, her eyes still closed.
*~*
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*~*
by Sarah | Sep 13, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts.
We return to the same scene from last week. It’s the middle of the night, and Mister Rawlins has brought a friend to Minnie’s tent. The disgusting Silas is looking Minnie over like a piece of meat, and she has no choice but to obey:
“Untouched you say?” Silas tilted his head, eyes never rising above her chest. “Are you certain?”
“Quite. Not one hand has touched her, has it Minnie?” Mister pinched her arm hard. Despite the smile he wore his eyes were hard as ice.
“No, Mister–not one hand.”
*Creative editing used this week to fit in the 8.
*~*
If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy!
| Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |
Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start.
Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again.
As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Sep 6, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts.
Mister Rawlins has already shot an apple off Minnie’s head as a warning, but he isn’t done with her yet. In the middle of the night, he makes a never-before-seen appearance in her tent, but he isn’t alone:
“This here is Silas. I told him all about you,” The Mister wrapped his hand around her elbow and pulled her off her cot.
The man that ogled her from across the tent didn’t bolster her hope that the night would improve. Short and dark, his eyes skimmed her with a lecherous open leer.
“Drop the sheet,” Silas commanded. The man never heard ‘no’, she could tell just by his attitude. He moved closer, and the lamp lit up weathered and filthy features. The crooked grin displayed yellow rotted teeth he picked at with a toothpick; his nose was bulbous at the end, a distinct twist at the bridge showing he’d been in his fair share of fights.
*Creative editing used this week to fit in the 8.
*~*
If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy!
| Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |
Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start.
Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again.
As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Sep 3, 2014 | Books, General, Goals, Writing
Back with the latest update on my 2014 forecast. August was a bit of a kick ass month for me. I wrote over 100k words during the month, and finished all of the books I had scheduled to go to the editor. That means I have begun my list for 2015 already, and started on the books for it as well. Which means, of course, plenty of changes for this weeks list.
And now, onto the updates.
First, the overall goals. Not specific books, but all around goals..
- I’ve challenged myself to write 600,000 words in 2014. ( 464,955 WC as of 9/2/14 10:47PM)
- I will build my audience and work harder at promotion. A continuing work in progress.
- I will find focus (see below), and figure out how to USE it. I did really well on this in August. Hoping to be able to continue in September, but it’s a busy month, so we’ll see how it goes.
- Plan 2015 Holidays in Lake Point series books. Done – and submitted to SCP as a proposal. Still waiting on work back.
- Plan 2015 book schedule. I’ve written down the know ideas I have, and have started on the first book for the year. Once I get an answer on my Lake Point books I’ll be able to plan dates better (having deadlines really helps my focus).
And for my list of projects. This I’m not removing the completed items, because I like seeing how many are done, however I did remove a couple I had to backburner for pressing deadlines. Items in RED are complete. Items in ORANGE are in progress (or progress notes). Items in BLUE are new.
- Runaway Train (Dominion Falls 5) – 113k
- Stalled Independence (Lake Point #3) – 35k
- Katherine’s Story (Dominion Falls Prequel) – 48k – Named finally. Independent Brake
- Into a Mirror Darkly (Morgana Chronicles 1) – 100k (~10k done)
- Witch Way (Lake Point #4) – 30k
- A Thorough Thanksgiving (Lake Point #5) – 23k
- Heartstrings & Hockey Pucks (Lake Point #7) – 30k (10,151 done)
- Luck of the Cowgirl (Lake Point #8) – 30k
- Natural Selection – 40k
- The Tribe (The Tribe #1) – 85k
- The Wolf (The Tribe #2) – 85k
- Switchback (Dominion Falls 6) – 100k
- The Chief (The Tribe #3) – 85k
- The Raven (The Tribe #4) – 85k
- The Child (The Tribe #5) – 85k
- Escaping Humanity (Co-authoring w/ Mary Terrani) – 100k (22k done)
So thrilled with the progress I made, and the plans I’ve made for the 2015 year. So many words to be written. I think I can make my 600k goal for this year, and maybe more! I’ve got some crazy-busy months coming up to round out the year, but I still hope to get plenty of words in.
So here’s to heading into the final quarter of the year and on the path to ending the year with a bang!
by Sarah | Aug 30, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts.
John & Carl continue to try to help Minnie…but old hurts stand in the way for most of them:
“Stick with your own kind, Minnie. Roy may not be a bastard like Rawlins, but he won’t take care of you, either.” Carl moved closer. “Got it?”
“My own kind? I have none of my own kind,” She wrinkled her nose and got in his face. “You’re Cheyenne; I’m nothing like you.”
“We’re all you have.”
*Creative editing used this week to fit in the 8.
*~*
If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy!
| Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |
Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start.
Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again.
As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Aug 23, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts.
The confrontation with the Cheyenne continues. In her current state, Minnie finds it easy to hold onto her anger. But perhaps John & Carl are trying to help…:
“You can’t even show friendship to your own kind, but you look at a white man like that? I thought you hated white men,” Carl folded his arms across his chest.
“I do,” She did, but Roy had just proved he wasn’t white–not fully; not that she could reveal his secret to them.
“Rawlins offered him your contract for a few games. Are you trying to make it so he’ll do that?” John picked apple pieces off her head, tossing it aside. “Because it would be no better with him, you know that.”
“I don’t want that,” Minnie didn’t look away from Carl’s glare.
*Creative editing used this week to fit in the 8.
*~*
If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy!
| Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |
Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start.
Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again.
As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
Welcome back to Tuesday Tales!
