by Sarah | Mar 6, 2014 | Book Release, Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Writing
ONE COMMENTER WILL WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF WITHOUT A TRACE! So leave your comment for a chance to win!!
Thanks for hosting me, Sarah! It is always nice to guest on a fellow author’s blog. I write romantic suspense, which is also my favorite genre to read…I just love that combination of danger and passion, and it’s pretty fun coming up with a nasty, evil villain in addition to a smoldering, seductive hero and a feisty, sexy heroine! Rachel and Matt are both trying to put tragic pasts behind them, yet are drawn to each other despite their misgivings. I do hope your blog readers will check out WITHOUT A TRACE!
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Magazine journalist Rachel Bennett has a reputation for getting to the heart of a story. However, when her sister disappears and is suspected of embezzling from her employer, the story has suddenly become personal. The last thing Rachel wants right now is the distraction of Matt Romero, the detective assigned to the case. She wants a “safe” man…and Matt is anything but that.
Matt accepts the risk that goes with his job. Two years ago, his wife was murdered, a tragedy he blames himself for. He’s vowed to protect his family and friends because he doesn’t want to go through the pain of loss again. However, the lovely journalist soon begins breaking through the icy wall around his heart.
As Rachel and Matt search for answers in order to find her sister, they uncover a corruption that puts them both in danger – and a passion that puts both their hearts at risk.
*~*
EXCERPT:
Something wasn’t right.
Rachel Bennett felt uneasy from the moment she’d set foot in her sister’s apartment. A bead of perspiration trickled between her shoulder blades.
She’d been unable to reach her younger sister Paige for the past three days. She hadn’t even shown up at work. Rachel cut short a long-awaited Palm Springs vacation out of concern for her. The three-hour drive back to Los Angeles this morning was a blur.
“Paige?”
Something made her almost whisper the word. She paused outside Paige’s half-open bedroom door before peering into the sun-splashed room. A hint of Paige’s signature scent, Ed Hardy, hung in the air. The bed, normally covered with a cheerful floral comforter, sat unmade in the messy room. Unusual for her neatnik sister.
She would never just take off like this. At least not willingly.
What’s happened to my sister?
Rachel noticed several black smudges on the wall by the window. A nervous feeling gnawed at her. Slowly, she stepped into the bedroom, toward the telephone. She needed to call for help.
“Police! Stop right there.”
The resonant male voice was strong and authoritative. Rachel froze, confused, blood pounding in her head. The hair on the back of her neck prickled. “I’m Rachel Bennett. My sister, Paige Bennett, lives here. I have a key.”
“Okay. Turn around.”
In slow, careful movements, Rachel complied. Her pulse thrummed even harder as she came face-to-face with the most overwhelming man she’d ever laid eyes on. His features were rugged and darkly handsome, his hair black as sin. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
A twinge of wariness assailed Rachel as her gaze took in the man. All in all, he made a dangerously sexy package despite his ordinary dark gray suit and tie. He looked like no cop she’d ever seen, but his open-legged stance and the familiarity with which he held his pistol—aimed at her—seemed to show years of experience on the force. Or simply a lot of practice using a gun.
Certainly he won’t shoot, she told herself, heart crashing hard against her chest. “Can I see your ID?”
The man’s steely dark eyes never left hers as he unclipped the gold badge from his belt and held it out to her.
“Matt Romero, LAPD Detective Support and Vice,” he said.
Rachel studied the badge. In her work as a writer for Southland Life magazine, she’d seen enough cop badges to know this was the real thing. What sort of trouble could Paige be in?
“How did you…”
“The apartment manager let us in. We had a search warrant.” He lowered his gun, then clipped his badge back onto his belt.
“Search warrant? Has something happened to Paige?” A cold knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Although a part of her didn’t want to know, her reporter’s instinct demanded answers.
Skepticism flickered across Romero’s face, but as he studied her he seemed to relax. He holstered his weapon. “I saw a photo on the desk over there of you with your sister. You resemble each other very much. Why don’t we sit down?” He motioned toward the living room.
Rachel trudged down the hallway, struggling to prepare herself for whatever this man was about to tell her. Horrifying possibilities whirled in her mind. Had Paige been arrested for some reason? Worse yet, badly hurt or even—no, she couldn’t allow herself to think about that last one. A shudder rippled through her.
Then she felt one of the detective’s large hands on the center of her back. The guiding gesture, although gentle, unnerved her. The heat from his palm burned through the thin fabric of her blouse. She walked a bit faster.
In the living room, Rachel sank into Paige’s comfortable powder blue sofa. She took a deep breath to calm herself, but her stomach knotted up when Romero settled into the chair beside the sofa, right next to her.
“Why are you here, Detective? Where is Paige?”
“That’s what my partner and I are trying to find out, Ms. Bennett.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, managing to sound a lot less anxious—and a lot less aware of the man across from her—than she really was.
He looked her dead in the eye. “Your sister is missing, Ms. Bennett.”
*~*
ABOUT LAURIE:
Laurie White is the author of two romantic suspense novels from Sweet Cravings Publishing. Her latest novel, WITHOUT A TRACE, was released January 30, 2014 from Secret Cravings Publishing. Laurie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers. Aside from writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies. She is the proud mama of four adorable cats and lives in the hills of Tennessee.
PUBLISHED NOVELS:
WITHOUT A TRACE – Available NOW from Secret Cravings Publishing!
TWIST OF FATE – February 2013 from Sweet Cravings Publishing
DESERT HEAT – October 2012 from Sweet Cravings Publishing
by Sarah | Mar 4, 2014 | Books, Holiday, MFRWHooks, Writing
My first week participating in MFRW’s Book Hooks!
I’m excited to take part in this new weekly hook-ing fun meme!
To start off fresh, I’m going to hook from my Christmas story, Santa, Maybe…mostly because I was laid up for surgery right after it’s release and it didn’t get the love it whole-heartedly deserved.
Ivy and Alan haven’t seen each other for eight years. Former high school, and college sweethearts they were the “almost” couple…both career driven on disparate career paths, eventually they parted for good after on-again/off-again relationship. This is the first time they’ve seen each other in 8 years:
“Ivy. I had no idea you were back in Lake Point.”
“Been here for almost eight years,” she whispered in his ear. “I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye.”
“You did. You just didn’t say you would come back here.”
When she pulled back he could’ve sworn he saw the glimmer of a tear at the edge of her emerald eyes. With a blink it was gone and she smiled. “No. I didn’t tell you that part, did I? Goodness, you look good. How have you been?”
“Busy,” he replied, chuckling when she said it at the same time as he did.
*~*
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Alan Richards returns to Lake Point for the holidays, counting the minutes until he can accomplish the dreaded goal of dealing with his aging parents and get back to the city. Finding his former soul mate living in the town they left together and swore they’d never return to tosses his ordered plans right on their head.
Ivy Nowell has never looked back since she left the city and her ballet career to raise her daughter in Lake Point. Alan’s homecoming dredges up old hurts and the love she never quite let go, but he hasn’t changed, with his relentless commitment to goals that differ completely from hers.
The attraction and instant understanding between them lingers, but neither are who they used to be. Alan wants to give it a chance, but Ivy is worried he’ll change his mind and won’t risk hurting her daughter.
It’ll take Santa and all his magic to keep them from walking away from each other again, maybe for forever this time.
*~*
MFRW Book Hooks are a chance for authors to share their work and get you intrigued. See more great hooks here:
*~*
by Sarah | Mar 2, 2014 | Books, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This weeks prompt is Pale.
Leilyn got the shock of her life when Dell’s mere presence made her Were come out to play. Plus, she had Byron hint that Dell might be her mate.
This week Dell confronts his mate with some truths…and throws her world on its head:
Leilyn shifted too fast for Dell to have a chance to explain further. When he managed to change back to human, she already had her clothes back on. Her features were pale, drawn, and she’d refused to say a word to Olive or Byron, although she did accept Byron’s comforting hug.
Dell did his best not to growl his displeasure at the action. Considering Leilyn only knew half the truth, and Byron wasn’t showing any possession or protective instincts, Dell managed to keep his frustration under wraps.
He threw on the trousers Olive had thrown his way. Before Byron could ask the question he’d opened his mouth for, Dell cut him off. “Get out. Both of you. Out.” He put the full force of Alpha magic behind the command, something he rarely, if ever, did to Olive. This was too important.
Leilyn sank to the bed when Byron obeyed immediately. She rubbed her hands along her thighs, and Dell’s own hands twitched under his urge to go comfort her.
The moment the room was clear, Leilyn whispered, “I don’t understand.”
Dell grabbed a chair and spun it around. He straddled the seat and leaned on the back. “Have you been able to disobey a command?”
“Always. It wasn’t easy, but if I really set my mind to it, yes. Even my uncle, and he’s Alpha.”
“He’s not your Alpha. He’s not your uncle, either.”
“Yes. My parents were killed in the war, my mom…she was his sister.”
Dell gritted his teeth against the lie. “What year?”
“Sixty three.”
“Where are you from, Leilyn?” Dell rose when she shook her head. This time he wouldn’t let her skirt around the question. He stepped closer, putting force behind his words when he asked again, “Where are you from?”
Her nose wrinkled like she might get sick, and she stretched her neck against what he knew was an intense need to answer him. She fought the order hard, but in the end fairly vomited the words, “West Virginia.”
“The pack, they are weak, yes? They’re becoming more wolf than man, mongrel, their fur is patchy, their shifts painful.”
Even though her eyes fluttered shut, she wasn’t able to stop the tear that slipped along her cheek. “Not all of them.”
“They are the pack that attacked ours in sixty-three. They killed many Were’s and human’s alike. They took a young girl.” He sat beside her when she shook her head vehemently. With a gentle touch, he set his hand on hers. “Until my father reminded me, I’d forgotten. Pushed it out of my head because it was traumatic for me as well. We’d thought they’d killed you.”
“Not me.”
“Yes. You. We called you Megan. Your mother was pack, your father an Indian human.” He lifted her hand and pulled it close. “I saw you fall. When your body went missing my father assumed it was wildlife.”
“Not me, not me, not me.” Her hand shook before she grasped his.
“They stole you from us, from me.”
“I was treated well. Like a princess. They sent me to town in all sort of weather to be sure I was learned.” Her eyes fluttered open and she turned toward him. “I’m so confused. Why? Why would he do this?”
“Because their pack has bred together too much, they needed fresh blood.”
“He won’t let me go. I tried to reduce my risk by swimming to lessen how much scent I left behind, but he will come for me. I need to go. I have to.”
“No. You must stay.”
“Dell.” She trembled and leaned closer, her lashes curtained over her intense green eyes. “Don’t do that.”
“I’m not doing anything.” His heart rate picked up when she set her hand on his chest to physically push away from him. She didn’t get far since he still held her hand.
She stared at their clasped hands. “What did you mean, when you said he took me—from you?”
“Not now.” No matter how much he wanted to claim her, he could sense her growing distress. In one day she’d gone from runaway to learning her whole life was a lie. That was a lot of surprises for one day, one more might tip her over the edge. “You need time to adjust.”
“What if I already know?”
“Then you can tell me tomorrow.”
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
by Sarah | Mar 1, 2014 | Books, Holiday, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
While I’m sad to leave behind Changing Tracks for my Sunday 8’s…I’m happy to be bringing you bits of another story. This is from my contemporary Holiday’s in Lake Point series. This book is, clearly, my Valentine’s Day story.
Michaela, 31, runs a fair-themed restaurant called The Midway. In over her head, she’s put out an ad for an assistant manager. Who shows up to apply for the position is not who she expected:
Another knock disrupted her train of thought. A familiar, “Excuse me, Miss O’Keefe?” came from the doorway. Of course, if her business thoughts had to be disrupted there could be no better way than with Owen Montague, better known simply as Tag. Ten years her junior, he’d grown up into quite a looker.
She could remember joking with her friend, Eve, five years ago about Tag being jail bait for women like them. Now he was lethally legal at the age of twenty-one, and even better looking with azure eyes, mussed blond hair, and a crooked smile that she bet had melted the panties off of many girls in his class. Just when she realized she’d been staring at him and jolted out of her reverie, he rewarded her with that signature grin, and she swore her heart skipped a beat.
*~*
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Michaela O’Keefe is in over her head with her restaurant, The Midway. Her ad for an assistant manager brings Owen “Tag” Montague to her doorstep. With an impeccable resume and dozens of letters of recommendation, she has little choice but to give him a chance. Ten years her junior, Tag sets her long-dead libido humming, but she gave up on love and her instincts on men years ago.
Tag has had a crush on his new boss since his youth, but he’s determined to prove he can do the job. Still, he can’t resist the urge to make her blush down to her toes as often as possible. He knows her rough past in life and love makes it hard to trust, and he’s wary of crossing the line he so desperately wants to.
Just when they manage to figure out how to work and play together, Michaela’s ex does all he can to destroy their budding love. When push comes to shove Michaela’s inability to give Tag the benefit of the doubt might destroy everything.
Learning to trust herself again is the hardest lesson Michaela will ever have to learn – and by the time she does, it may be too late for love.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Feb 27, 2014 | Character Interview, Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
Thank you Sarah for having me here!
There are few things more enjoyable than sitting down with friends. I got to do just that recently with the stars of my erotic sports romance, Pink Pucks & Power Plays, the first book in the To Love a Wildcat series. Given that Alain has a rather severe dislike of the press and/or interviews, I wasn`t sure he would agree, but my gal Viv finagled the handsome young D-man into meeting me.
We arranged for the interview to take place at The Black Boar Bar & Grill, a popular eatery and sports bar a few blocks from The Houseman Arena where the Philadelphia Wildcats play. Alain is one of several `Cats who own a share of the trendy meeting place. I picked the table by the small stage in the large dining area. Rumor has it Philly sports stars perform here on occasion, but I`ve yet to see it. Maybe someday I`ll catch a performance by a Wildcat or two.
The hot spot was rather quiet, as it was after the lunch crush. There were televisions filling every available inch of wall space that wasn`t covered with sports memorabilia. As a friendly young waiter dressed as a referee delivered my decaf, I saw the couple arriving.
“Alain!” the few lingering patrons shouted as if we were at Cheers. Lessard smiled at his fans, slapping backs as well as shaking hands as he followed Viviana to the table. I smiled at the woman. She was, as she always is, vibrant. Her clothes were sexy, colorful and playful, accenting her legs and her breasts, for she knows how much her lover admires them. Viv and I bussed cheeks. We`re the same height and possess the same curvy form so seem to feel an affinity for each other. Alain enveloped me in a brotherly hug. My eyes grew wide. I peeked at Viviana. She smiled. Alain released me to pull the chair out for his lady love.
“Thank you for doing this, Alain,” I said as he hurried to push my chair in for me.
“It is my pleasure,” the Quebecer said as he dropped his well made frame into his seat. I could easily see what Viv saw in Alain. Six foot two, one hundred and ninety pounds, black curly hair, hazel eyes, athletic build, and a mouth that begs to be kissed. I`d be drawn like a moth to a flame as well! “This is not like a regular interview.”
“See, not all interviews are bad,” the sassy brunette said as she ran her eyes over the menu. Alain rolled those pretty hazel eyes playfully. His hand rested on the back of Viviana`s chair possessively. “Let`s get a fish dinner then split it.” Viviana looked at me with eyes the color of white grapes. Her eyes always amaze me. I nodded at the suggestion. After the order was placed and Viv and Alain`s drinks were brought out, we started chatting.
“So, how does it feel to be the stars of your own book?” I asked the couple.
“I`m tickled to be the first of the Wildcats women`s story that you told,” Viviana said then sipped at her raspberry flavored water.
“It is very nice,” Alain answered tactfully.
“He`s not always so tight-fisted with his words,” Viviana pointed out as our appetizers arrived.
“Oh, I`m well aware of how he can talk once he`s comfortable,” I replied with a wink for the hockey star. His mouth curled into a shy smile. “Although you do seem to have the lion`s share of the dialog in the book, Viv.”
“Yes, see, chaton, I don`t talk much because you are doing all the talking for us both,” Alain joked. “I cannot fit the words in edge like.”
“Oh pooh on both of you.” Viviana dipped a mozzarella stick into some red sauce then offered the first bite to Alain, her left hand cupped under the dripping stick. “It`s hot,” she warned. Probably so he didn`t burn those lips of his she is so keen on kissing.
“Speaking of sex,” I said as I dipped my own stick. Both my characters eyes widened with surprise. “Were you two pleased with the amount of it in your book?”
“Is there such a thing as too much sex?” Viviana asked with a impish gleam in her eye.
“It was very nice,” Alain responded. I suspected that was his stock reply whenever he felt the matter was too personal to discuss. It was better than being told it was none of my business.
“The sex was wonderful,” Viv interjected as she fed Alain the rest of the cheese stick. “I do love a juicy read, and this story certainly is that!”
“But there was more than the sex, no?” Alain said after dabbing sauce off his mouth with his napkin.”The sex, it was great, but the lesson my Viviana learned, that was big importance too, was it not?”
I looked pointedly at the woman trying to decide which mozzarella stick to chose for herself. “Was it, Viviana?” I asked directly. Her eyes flicked to me then returned to the basket holding our appetizers. The patrons hooted at an old replay of a Stanley Cup game on one of the TV sets.
“Can we talk about the sex instead?” Viv inquired.
“No, we are talking about all the book, not just the steamy sex scenes,” Alain hurried to say. I leaned back into my seat, nibbling the scalding hot stick carefully, my napkin held under my chin. “So, did you learn a lesson, Viviana?”
“Yes, I learned a lesson! Does that make you both happy?! For goodness sake, one would think I was Dr. Doom or something!” she huffed as she made a grab for a stick in the bright red plastic basket. Alain grabbed her hand, raised it to his lips and then laid it on the table beside Viviana`s plate. Then he chose a stick to feed her. I shifted around in my chair, suddenly quite uncomfortable. It felt as if I were watching the lovers in their bedroom. I smiled at a man eating his lunch behind us.
“What did you learn?” I asked when the sensual stick feeding was over with. “And for the record, we all adore you Viviana,” I added, for it was the truth. Sure, Viv could be rather brusque at times, but her heart was most generally in the right place.
“I learned that we should talk about one of the other ladies in the series. Let`s chat about the rest of the books! I`m sure your readers would like to know a bit about those instead of hearing more about the poor choices silly old me has made.”
I let her have that victory. She was far too clever to wrangle into such a private confession. She had been a reporter after all. Viviana Land had lots of pride, and chutzpah. I didn`t wish to push either her or Alain too far.
“Alright, let me see. The next book will be A Most Unlikely Countess.”
“Look at that dreamy look,” Alain teased. I felt the heat creeping into my face. “Ah poor V. L., she does so love goalies.”
“Okay, yes, I do have a thing for goalies. Everyone knows that.” I hurried to grab my coffee to hide behind. Viviana patted my arm while laughing at my discomfort.
“It`s fine, ” Viv assured me. “A woman would have to be dead and buried not to be swept off her feet by Veikko Aho. He is perhaps one of the most classically handsome men I have ever laid eyes on.”
“Ahem!” We both looked at Alain with his arms now folded over a tee that read ‘Old Time Hockey’ and featured the Hanson Brothers from the movie, Slapshot.
“Aside from you of course, darling.” Viviana patted his muscular bicep.
I hurried to carry on lest more male ego was trampled. “After A Most Unlikely Countess will be O Captain! My Captain!, Reality Check, and Language of Love. I`m also toying with a few ideas for other Wildcat books, but we`ll see how things hatch with the planned five before I count chickens.”
“I for one hope they do well. If women knew just how sexy hockey players are, they`d flock to grab those books.” Viviana leaned back to give the server room to place her half a fish dinner. My mouth watered when my plate of flaky flounder, thick steak fries, and a side of coleslaw was set in front of me. Alain was eating rare steak with a fat baked potato that was topped with sour cream and chives. I guess the players get tired of chicken.
“I can`t argue that point,” I said then waggled an eyebrow. Alain smiled self-consciously.
“He does humble well,” Viviana whispered as she passed the ketchup bottle to me. The meal progressed pleasantly. We chatted about small things. Alain seemed to relax completely by the time dessert was brought out. We each had a small dish of ice cream. Mine was vanilla, Alain`s fudge ripple, and Viviana`s black raspberry.
“So, can I ask a question?” Alain said as we enjoyed our frozen treats. I nodded. “How do the Wildcats do in our quest for Lord Stanley`s cup?”
“Oh no you don`t!” I shook my spoon at the charmer, “You`re not wheedling that information out of me. No way and no how!”
“I could send a certain goalie over to persuade that information out of you,” he teased, his hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. I stared at him over the table. Viviana slapped his arm.
“Would you stop tormenting the poor woman so! If you wish to know if the `Cats win it all, or if any of our friends find love, buy the books.”
“But Viviana, how do I find time to read when I am working to keep you happy?” Alain asked with utmost sincerity.
“Oh, he`s good,” I muttered under my breath.
“Yes he is,” Viviana purred, leaning over to steal a kiss from her Wildcat. It didn`t take the couple long to finish their ice cream, snap up the check, and wave goodbye. I sat back with a contented smile. One Wildcat happy ever after, four more to go!
*~*~*
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Blurb:
Viviana Land just can`t seem to say no to her younger sister. Somehow, the curvaceous society page reporter gets lassoed into serving as her niece`s Busy Bee scout leader. One overheated engine later, Viviana and her girls find themselves in the Green Hills Ice Rink. Enter Alain Lessard, the charmingly handsome defenseman for the Philadelphia Wildcats, who is donating his summer to coaching the youth league.
When our intrepid reporter is given the opportunity to write the break-out story of her career, Viviana leaps at the chance. Thinking it would be easy to flirt and tease some juicy tidbits out of Alain, Viviana soon finds herself falling for the sensual, younger, kind-hearted man. Will she put aside her virtual pen for a chance to stay at her new paramour`s side? Or will Viviana finally get away from those mundane bakery opening articles by using the man she may possibly be in love with?
*~*
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, belly laughs, anything romantic, Greek mythology, New York Rangers hockey, comic books and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a steer named after a famous N.H.L. goalie, and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.
V.L. is a self-published and conventionally published author. She is a proud Torquere Press and Secret Cravings Publishing author. When not writing romantic tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand, writing, or cheering on her beloved New York Rangers. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, and GoodReads.
I love to meet new friends and fans! You can find me at-
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/VL-Locey/124405447678452
Twitter- https://twitter.com/vllocey
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5807700.V_L_Locey
My blog- http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/
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ABOUT LAURIE:
