by Sarah | Aug 22, 2013 | Friday Dialogues, Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
The Best and Worse Things about being an Author.
I am not a veteran author, not by a long shot. The fact is, I’m still learning the ropes as they say. My journey into the wonderful world of professional publishing began about three and a half years ago, when a very well established publishing company, Renaissance E Books Inc, picked up my first book Soulmate’s Touch.
My overzealous joy, as you can imagine, made me feel like a five year old on Christmas morning. I soon learned that it actually required a lot of work to actually publish a book and get it ready for the public. Yeah my excitement soon fizzled into anxiety and the fear of being rejected by readers.
You see I wanted everyone to like my book. I wanted to sell millions and have thousands of adoring fans. Boy was I b _ _ch slapped with reality very fast.
Now before I continue, let me say that my journey has been worth every single sleepless night, every single tear I shed, and most importantly every failure and every success I’ve been through so far.
This is what I have learned in my short, eye-opening career as an Author to date.
First off, as I mentioned before, I wanted love, I wanted fame, I wanted… hell I wanted all the positive things that comes from being a popular author. However, that is not what happened. Nope, not even close and here’s why.
W.O.R.K =
W-working your ass off, rewriting, editing, rewriting, editing, rewriting editing…see a pattern here.
O-owning your mistakes and learning from them. Yes that is correct. Sometimes as a new author on the scene we go into the public forums with the expectation of being recognized and praised. Gulp! No that is not what happens. Humility goes a long way here. I’ve learned the hard way that joining a popular online website for promoting your books, doesn’t always turn out the way you want it to. There are certain un-written rules that need to be followed.
Honestly I’m still learning these rules. But the most important one I’ve learned is to remain an observer. Wait until the public comes to you and starts up the conversation. Of course, not all sites are like this, but for the most part being humble and grateful is most effective. Eventually your readership will grow and readers will seek you out.
R-recognizing that because you are now published doesn’t mean you are the best of the best. In other words, like anything else writing takes practice and a lot of eating crow. If your editor, who has been writing for nearly two decades, is a multi published author, and whose books have been featured in USA Today magazine, tells you something sucks and needs to be revised, it probably sucks. So, swallow that sulking pity-me and FU attitude and fix it. Trust me a good editor will NOT coddle you. No, a good editor will kick you in the arse and make you work to be a better writer.
K-Knowing your flaws. This is where criticism is going to help you. Remember how I started by saying I wanted to be loved. Okay I still do. However, this does not happen overnight. Nor does everyone who reads your book praise you. Don’t expect them to. Everyone, especially people purchasing your books have a right to either hate, like or just be indifferent.
Do I want everyone to like instead of hate my books? Absolutely! But that’s not reality. The reality is critical reviews, mean reviews, and reviews that make you cry, are going to happen to most new authors. And so are good reviews that praise, encourage and make you feel like Queen/King of the hill.
Perception and the idea of what is good and what is bad, differs from one person to the next. So for every five or six positive reviews be prepared to get a critical one where the reader felt your writing and your book were less than stellar. See it for what it really is, an opinion, and all reviews are opinions. Some are more “colorful” (ahem), than others, but it still is the point of view and perception of the individual writing it. So how can this help you as an author?
First thing, it makes you realize that you are human and can’t please everyone. Secondly, it helps you grow a thicker skin. I hated that term, until I was forced to grow one of my own. And third, it helps you develop a better understanding of what readers want and what they don’t want. This is true for good and bad reviews.
To conclude I believe the most important thing that being an Author thus far has taught me is when you find your readership, and they take the time to contact you, friend you on Facebook or Twitter and let you know how much they can’t wait for your next book, makes the W.O.R.K we authors go through absolutely P.R.I.C.E.L.E.S.S. And that is why I write.
*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B004ZZT26E” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | Sizzled Renditions |
Vampires, Demons and Gargoyles are real. Joyce Davis has just found out that she is mated to one of them. Romiel is a gargoyle, an offspring of a Demon father and Vampire mother. Cursed by a powerful human wizard, Romiel and all Gargoyles are imprisoned in stone. And only the touch of a true Soulmate can free him. The moment that Joyce touches Romiel, she knows there is a strong bond between them. Although she tries to justify why loving a Gargoyle is wrong, her heart, soul and body refuse to listen.
Together she and Romiel face an uncertain future, as evil forces are unleashed on the unsuspecting humans. In the midst of an ancient war between the immortal vampires and demons, Romiel must unite with an old enemy in order to protect the human race against certain annihilation. As their love for each other grows stronger, Joy and Romiel must face evil head on to save humanity and the Gods themselves.
by Sarah | Aug 21, 2013 | Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
There has been a lot of talk about my new book, SKIN, and I’d first like to say thank you. Thank you to all the readers out there who share my dreams and make it possible for me to follow them. Without you, I couldn’t do what I do.
So everyone is curious about the book SKIN and they should be. The fact that so many readers are connecting with this topic gives me such joy. SKIN is different from any book I’ve ever written or read because the heroine is real. She is you. She is me. She is every woman who has ever looked in the mirror and not liked her reflection. My decision to write SKIN was inspired by the media’s sudden overzealous interest in celebrities packing on baby weight, respected clothing chains making disrespectful statements about not wanting girls bigger than a size twelve wearing their attire, and the inescapable fact that I have been shopping in the plus size department since I was thirteen.
Here’s some real news. I am curvy and I am beautiful. I have skinny friends and they’re beautiful too. Beauty doesn’t come in a shape or size.Beauty is defined as a quality in a thing or person that gives pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind. Beauty is a smile, a laugh, a look. Beauty is confidence. Beauty is love, loving yourself and others. When society tries to pigeonhole beauty we often don’t laugh. We see ourselves and frown. We look at ourselves differently,unfavorably. Our confidence becomes shaken and we love ourselves a little less.Why? If everyone looked the same, our minds would lose interest. Variety keeps the world beautiful.
Beauty is about perception and we must, as a whole, begin perceiving ourselves as beautiful, not on levels, but on a diverse plane where no quality outweighs another. We areall beautiful.
I love writing and reading romance, but never have I read a book where the heroine’s thoughts matched mine. I don’t think there is a woman out there who has not contemplated how her body appears in the midst of an intimate encounter. Nobody is one hundred percent confident one hundred percent of the time. When I wrote SKIN, I wrote it honestly. I wanted the reader to truly know the character’s thoughts, fears, insecurities, and dreams. Mallory Fenton wants to change the SKIN she’s in. Her journey is an emotional evolution that does indeed change her, but not the way she assumed it would.
I hope that you enjoy this story and the rest of the McCullough Mountain Series. SKIN releases on August 22, 2013 and it is dedicated to you.
To watch the Book Trailer for SKIN visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkQykfjYUqM
| SCP |
BLURB:
When Finnegan McCullough gets a flat tire he bumps into a woman he’s never seen before. After a stern lecture on trespassing, he offers her a ride and a friendship takes shape. Mallory Fenton is unlike any girl he’s ever met. She’s funny, sexy as hell, and sweet as pie, but she doesn’t see herself that way.
After literally crashing into Finnegan McCullough, Mallory is a hot, tongue-tied,mess. A true lumberjack, he wears his flannel well and possesses the sexiest smile she’s ever had thrown her way. Unfortunately, men like that don’t look at girls like her. When Finn confesses his desire to be more than friends, Mallory is shocked. After years of being the ‘fat girl’ she knows better than to believe a man like Finn could ever find her attractive. But she’s gotten under his skin and Finn is determined to show Mallory how beautiful she truly is.
A realistic and heartwarming romance that proves love and beauty come inall shapes and sizes.
EXCERPT:
Shaky fingers unzipped her boots and she stepped out of them, shrinking three inches.She undid her jeans and slid them off her legs. Taking a deep breath, she removed her shirt and folded it on the corner of the sink.
It wasn’t easy to face her reflection, but with a slow turn she pivoted. Opening her eyes she tried to see herself, truly see her, the way Finn would see her.Her breasts were displayed in a satin, black bra, supported in a way they didn’t naturally sit. Her stomach curved in wrong places and her belly button was a crease rather than the petite hole that a super model might show off.
The black lace of her boy shorts scalloped the pouch of her stomach, making her,again, appear more feminine than she actually was. She would not start berating herself, not now when this was going to happen.
Her fingers unclasped her bra and away went the support and down fell her breasts.Her nipples darkened and tightened in the cool air. She had nice nipples, not to big and not too small. Not too dark and not too pink.
Her gaze landed on the jagged white scars stretching over her breast. She’d started getting stretch marks when she was a teenager. No amount of lotion or magic cream took them away and she, for the most part, tried to ignore them. Maybe he would ignore them too.
Her head bowed as she slid off her panties. There she was, as naked as the day she was born. Wide hips creased by gravity made it difficult to notice the small patch of soft, brown curls at her apex.
Her gaze flowed over her reflection and took note of her better qualities. Her nails were painted and filed neatly. Her makeup was subtle, but nice. Her hair was long and natural in color. For some reason, it became important for her to show him exactly who she was. There would be no veils or facades, not tricks of beauty or accessories to distract the eye. It was all or nothing. If he wanted her, that was exactly who he was going to get.
She emerged from the bathroom wearing only her robe. Her breath caught when she saw him sitting on the bed in only his jeans, his bare chest showing in the soft lamplight from the nightstand. He was stunning.
A fine trail of golden, brown hair ran over his abs, disappearing behind the unbuttoned snap of his jeans. On the nightstand she spotted the infamous box of condoms. Funny, not until that moment did it actually register that she was going to have sex. The physical act was second hand to all the emotional repercussions.
She hadn’t had sex in years. She almost forgot what it felt like. Chills skated up her spine as she drew the slow epiphany that whatever he was hiding in those jeans was going to be inside of her very soon.
She smiled and he reciprocated the gesture. With slow steps she walked into the bedroom. Taking one last look at the beautiful man sitting on her bed, her fingers went to the switch on the wall and extinguished the light.
Darkness settled on the room for only a second and then a soft click came from the bed as Finn leaned over and turned on the nightstand lamp. He slowly shook his head, telling her there would be no hiding.
Having her body displayed in light where unfavorable shadows could be cast was not a comforting thought. But the look in his eyes told her the idea of seeing her without shields was very favorable to him. She nodded in acceptance and he whispered, “Thank you.”
Her feet carried her slowly to the bed. Standing at the foot, she struggled with the tie of her robe. He stood and met her at the foot of the bed, touching her hands softly, stilling her motions.
She let out a shaky breath as he took over the knot and whispered, “Let me.”
Shutting her eyes, she nodded as the terrycloth lapels were drawn apart. He sucked in an audible breath and said, “Gorgeous.”
She bit her tongue so as to not object to the compliment and gentle fingers tipped up her chin. Soft lips pressed into hers and she shivered. The heat of his body covered her front as he stepped even closer. Tender lips coaxed her mouth open as he kissed her softly. Their heads tilted and her body warmed.
Strong hands cupped her breasts as his thumb dragged over her nipples. Her body tightened as he deepened the kiss.
The backs of his knuckles caressed her stomach causing her to slightly suck in a breath. He teased at the soft curls at her apex and she whimpered.
“I love your body,” he said against her lips.
*~*
For more books by Lydia Michaels visit: www.LydiaMichaels.org
by Sarah | Aug 20, 2013 | Books, Holiday, Hump Day Hook, Secret Cravings Publishing, Writing
Another Hump Day Hook!
I’ve started a new book. It’s part of my Lake Point series and contracted for Valentine’s day 2014.
For this week – I’m introducing Michaela O’Keefe, a 31-year-old divorcee who has spent the 5 years since the divorce rebuilding her life. Unfortunately, her ex just blew into town:
“I thought you’d be happy to see me.”
“You thought wrong. I was happy when you left town with your latest flavor of the month three years ago.” She leaned on the desk. “We’re divorced. You’re not welcome in my home, and not in my business, either.”
“Public place, baby. I can come and go as I want.”
*~*
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:
by Sarah | Aug 19, 2013 | Character Interview, Guest Authors, Writing
Geoffrey: Welcome, everyone! I’m Geoffrey, a page living at Arnhem castle, and I’m going to interview the newest page. She’s a girl! Can’t get over that.
*Aislinn punches him*
Geoffrey: What was that for? Anyhow, Aislinn, what’s your story?
Aislinn: I’m just a girl who wants to become a knight. My older brother died shortly after getting his shield. I want to honor my family and take his place.
Geoffrey: I guess that makes sense. But you’re so small. Aren’t you afraid that being a girl on the battlefield that you…you know…fail?
*Aislinn punches his shoulder*
Aislinn: I’m going to earn my shield and make Arnhem proud. I’ll show you. And Calean too!
Geoffrey: So I guess that means you don’t think you have any weaknesses. *coughs* What about strengths?
Aislinn: Maybe being able to take stupid boys by surprise by wielding my sword better than them.
*Geoffrey steps away to make sure she doesn’t try to hit him again*
Geoffrey: How does your family feel about your training?
Aislinn: Mother hates it. Father… I’m not sure. I don’t want to let either of them down.
Geoffrey: Well, that was depressing. How do you envision your future?
Aislinn: I’ll be a lady knight of course! *glares at him for asking such a silly question*
Geoffrey: What about love?
Aislinn: What about it?
Geoffrey: Do you think you’ll ever get married?
Aislinn: If my mother has her way, yes.
Geoffrey: But you don’t want to?
Aislinn: I don’t know. Maybe. If I found someone.
Geoffrey: Have anyone in mind? *sidles a little closer*
Aislinn: No!
Geoffrey: What about me?
Aislinn: We’re friends, if that.
Geoffrey: No one’s caught your eye? Not Caelan?
Aislinn: That stuffy-headed entitled pompous prince? Never! Interview’s over.
*Aislinn stomps off*
Geoffrey: Well, I guess that ends our interview. Aislinn, wait up. Want to go to the swimming hole?
Aislinn: You know I can’t swim!
Geoffrey: How about a horseback ride then?
Aislinn: Dream Rider still doesn’t listen to my commands. I’m going to train with a knife.
*Geoffrey shrugs*
Geoffrey: Guess I’ll go find Caelan. I don’t think I want to be around Aislinn and pointy objects right now.
*~*~*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B0021L9YDK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | B&N |
Blurb:
Aislinn of Bairbhe dreams of becoming a lady knight to honor the death of her fallen brother. To her mother’s horror, King Patrick grants Aislinn’s wish and she begins her long years of training.
Despite the mockery of the other pages, and the disdain of Prince Caelan who also trains to be a knight, Aislinn commits herself to her dreams and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and bravery. Through the years, Aislinn and Caelan grow from sparring classmates to good friends. They both know that someday Caelan will marry for the sake of the kingdom, but even that cannot keep them from falling in love.
*~*
Excerpt:
“Is there anyone else that you have feelings for, Aislinn? Is that why you don’t want to be with Geoffrey?”
Aislinn blinked, thinking about his question. “I haven’t thought about such things. I’m too focused on becoming a knight. That’s all I’m worried about.”
Caelan pushed back his chair and stood. With him on his feet, Aislinn had to tip back her chin to look him in the face, he had grown so much in the years since they’d first met. “There is no one else?”
She shook her head.
Caelan took a step closer to her, stepping so close he only had to whisper for her to hear him. “What if I told you that Geoffrey isn’t the only one who favors your company?”
His closeness overwhelmed Aislinn and she tried to take a step back. Her shoulders bumped the bookshelf behind her and several books shifted, but none made enough noise to draw the attention of anyone else in the library. Caelan lay a hand against her cheek, his thumb beneath her chin, and with a gentle touched, forced her to look at him.
Her heart pounded hard in her chest like a caged bird and Aislinn caught her breath.
“Caelan,” she whispered softly, but before she could say more, his lips covered hers.
Aislinn froze for a second as he held his mouth against hers, then heard herself sigh when he pressed closer and moved his lips. Aislinn’s eyes fluttered closed and she raised her hands to lay them on his chest, feeling his heart pound as hard as her own. Then reality snapped at her and she shoved him away.
“Stop it!”
She pushed past the prince and rushed from the library, with several squires and younger pages turning at her escape. Aislinn ran to her room and slammed the door shut. She leaned against it and slid to the floor, her head in her hands.
How dare he kiss me!
But the worst realization was that she’d kissed him back. Even the memory now made her insides tremble and her hands shake.
*~*
Bio:
Nicole Zoltack loves to write fantasy/paranormal, romances, horror, historical, for adults and young adults, novels, short stories, and flash pieces. She doesn’t want to get boxed in 
by genre — she might be claustrophobic! She’s also an editor for MuseItUp Publishing and works as a freelance editor.
When she isn’t writing about girls wanting to be knights, talking unicorns, and zombies, she spends time with her loving family. She loves to ride horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, dressed in period garb.
To learn more about Nicole and her work, visit her website at www.NicoleZoltack.com or her blog at http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com.
All of my books on Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Zoltack/e/B00304YARW/
by Sarah | Aug 18, 2013 | Books, Holiday, Publishing Credits, Secret Cravings Publishing, Tuesday Tales, Writing
The prompt this week is Rough.
Oh, look. New story!! This will be book 2 in my Lake Point Series, Deep Fried Sweethearts. Michaela O’Keefe (31) opened her dream restaurant, The Midway, a few years after an ugly divorce.
It serves fair food only (deep fried anything, cotton candy, pork tenderloin, etc) and has a couple of carnival games that change out monthly. Unfortunately, the business has also worn her down so she places an ad for an assistant manager. She doesn’t expect Owen Duncan – aka ‘Dunc’ to apply…a (very attractive) man 10 years her junior that her bff in high school used to babysit.
And here is where Dunc applies for the position. Mikey wants only to get a grip on her inability to hide her blushing…
As always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors:
Another knock disrupted her train of thought. “Excuse me, Miss O’Keefe?” Of course, if her business thoughts had to be disrupted, what better way than with Owen Duncan, better known simply as Dunc. Ten years her junior, he’d grown up into quite a looker.
She could remember joking with her friend, Eve, five years ago about Dunc being jail bait for women like them. Now he was legal 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 and jolted out of her reverie, he rewarded her with that grin, and she swore her heart skipped a beat. She shook her head to clear it. “Yes, Dunc?”
“I saw your ad. Jake suggested I try for it, I’ve been looking for something permanent instead of odd jobs.” Dunc crossed the room and held out some paperwork. “Application, resume, and a few letters of recommendation.”
“You want the assistant manager position?” Try though she might, Michaela couldn’t keep the doubt from her voice. She flipped through the papers.
“Yes. I’m not in school any longer, I need something full time. Floating odd jobs isn’t bad, but I’d like something permanent.” He leaned on the desk, and her gaze immediately flew to the flex of muscle in his forearms. “I hope you’ll at least look at my resume, you might be surprised.”
“Letters from Jake and Eve both?” She pursed her lips. Jake owned the antique shop in town, Past Over, Eve was his manager. “Overkill, don’t you think?”
“Can’t ever have too many letters of recommendation. Miss Ellery insisted.”
She knew if she looked up that damn grin would do her in, so she kept her focus on the papers before her. After she’d flipped through the stack of letters, she set them on the desk. “I’ll look this over and we’ll meet on Monday for a proper interview. I’ll allow you that.”
“Thanks, Miss O’Keefe. You won’t regret it.” He held out his hand. When she responded with her own, his warm hand folded hers in a gentle, but firm handshake.
“Easy, Dunc. I haven’t given you the job yet.” She could swear the heat of his hand travelled up to flood her cheeks. If she did give him the job, it would be rough working alongside such eye candy. Especially with how easily she blushed.
“I know. Let’s just say I’ve got a good feeling.”
So do I. Oops, hush your inner voice. She had no doubt she was blushing now, but forced herself to smile and nod. “We’ll see if it stays. Monday at nine work for you? I’d like to get it over with before I open for the day.”
“Nine sharp. Thanks.” He released her hand and ran his hand through his tousled locks. The kid knew he had it going on. Damn him. “See you then.”
“See you then.” Michaela stood until Dunc left the room, and proceeded to drop into her chair with a groan. “I’m so screwed, and I’m going to kill Eve if she sent him here.”
It would be tough to turn him down, and not just for his looks. Her quick perusal of his resume had impressed her. An associate’s degree in business beat out the lack of a true steady job for several years.
The stack of letters from half the business owners in town worked against her resolve to not hire someone so young. Not age discrimination, but experience.
After her divorce and the hellish two years after, the idea for the business had pulled her out of the hole. She’d worked hard for two long years to get the plan in place and the financing. Every bit of her heart and soul had been poured into The Midway.
She wasn’t sure if she should risk it on an inexperienced young man.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t go on like she was, either. The Midway had grown into a successful business in the past year, but she was pulling one-hundred-twenty hour weeks to keep it viable.
She needed the help badly, like yesterday.
Right then her best option was Dunc. Young, inexperienced Dunc. The rest of her staff was high school students or college students or grandmothers that couldn’t, or wouldn’t, take on the full time work week an assistant manager position would mean.
The ad she’d placed in her desperation had garnered very few worthwhile candidates.
Then along came Dunc.
She wondered if there was a pill that would control blushing. One double-entendre and she’d be done for.
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
by Sarah | Aug 16, 2013 | Guest Authors, Saturday Spotlight, Writing
| [amazon_link id=”B00E9WB37E” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | B&N | Red Sage |
Blurb:
Love smolders and the sex is red hot when Cassianna Baxter leaves behind a glamorous teaching career in Italy to return to her old Alma Mater, Lewiston Academy for Girls as the Deputy Head Mistress.
No sooner does she arrive at the Academy than she walks smack into sexy Lawrence Taylor, her first love and ex lover. He’s been looking for her ever since he was forced to leave her — now that she is back at the Academy, he knows he has to win her back. And not just in his bed.
Tour:
EXCERPT
Cassianna looked around her impressive wood paneled office and went right to the row of leaded windows that looked out on the Quad. She found herself searching for the ‘disappearing man’ she had seen a few minutes before. She could have sworn it was Lawrence. That was crazy. He had left Lewiston years ago and obviously had no intention of returning, judging by the speed at which he’d abandoned her so many years ago.
Across from her office was Mackenzie House, her old residence. The Virginia creeper had grown over most of the front of the building but she remembered her room well, it had a clear view of the riding arena and she used to rise early each day just to catch a glimpse of Lawrence as he went about his morning duties at the stables. She’d sit in her window late at night, reliving the intimate moments they had shared that day tucked away in his loft far from the prying eyes of the school. Those memories were best left unremembered, she told herself.
A knock at the door startled her.
“I hate to interrupt,” Millie said with hesitation as she stepped inside the office, “I know you’ve just arrived but there’s a family at the office, The Stevens family, and they’d like a tour of the school.” Millie paused, then whispered, “The girl’s parents are very generous benefactors of her brother’s school up in Newhaven.” Cassianna was well aware that benefactors were what funded private schools and were not to be taken lightly when they requested a tour. Jet lag or no jet lag, she took her first official school duty seriously and went off to meet the family.
Cassianna greeted the Stevenses and their daughter Penny, showing them around the grounds, the best she could remember. She wished now she had read up on the academy, so many things had changed since she was a student. Answering a multitude of the prospective family’s questions, they toured the Student Block, the cafeteria, the residences, and the sporting arena. Penny’s main interest was horses so Cassianna had saved the best for last.
“Would you like to see the Equestrian Center?” Cassianna asked the young girl.
“Would I? I love horses, Miss Baxter.” Penny beamed back at her and started to walk faster. Had it not been for her parents’ watchful eyes, she was sure the girl would have launched into a full gallop down the Equestrian Path.
Cassianna was as impressed as Penny and her parents with the brand new Equestrian Center. They admired the extensive stables and the new indoor and outdoor riding rings. Leading them to the outdoor Dressage Ring, Cassianna recalled stories of her horse, Raphael, and the painstaking hours she had spent practicing with him. She omitted the part about her torrid affair with Lawrence and her abrupt departure from the academy.
They stood ringside, the smell of hay and sawdust filling the sunlit air, watching a student being coached through a difficult dressage routine. At the far end of the ring a man called out instructions. Cassianna was glad there was such a high level rider in the ring to impress Penny and her family.
“Hello, can I help you?” A deep voice startled them from behind. Cassianna’s chest tightened and a spark shot through her heart.
Slowly, she turned toward the voice.
Those sensuous green eyes, that wavy sandy blonde hair. Her heart stopped for a moment.
“Lawrence?” Cassianna squeaked, in a voice that was definitelynot her own. His eyes held hers and her body trembled.
“Cassianna?” Lawrence asked, a stunned look on his face.
Silence hung in the air.
She had not seen Lawrence in almost twelve years, but there he was before her. His rugged, handsome good looks unchanged. His muscled body evident with his shirtsleeves rolled up, she could see those strong forearms and his adept hands. Oh, what he could do with those hands. She was unable to take her gaze from his. Words would not form in her mouth as she stared at him.
Lawrence stepped forward, extending his hand to Mr. Stevens. “I am pleased to meet you. I’m Lawrence Taylor,” his voice deep and confident, “chairman of the board of trustees for the academy.”
Cassianna’s jaw dropped, but she quickly closed it, struggling to regain her professionalism. She hoped she appeared cool on the outside, inside her mind was racing even faster than her pulsing heart.
She tried to center her thoughts; averting her gaze from Lawrence’s. She struggled with her composure and found her voice.
“The Stevens are here for a tour of the school and were just admiring the Equestrian Center,” she said in Penny’s direction. She feared that making eye contact with Lawrence would have her completely unglued. “And Penny is keen to join the riding team,” Cassianna stuttered, nodding to the young girl.
“Is that so?” Lawrence smiled encouragingly at Penny. “I’m a bit of a horse man myself.”
That’s an understatement, Cassianna thought, given the hours he’d spent coaching her years ago. And not just in the ring. Lawrence had been a talented and devoted lover, but now was not the time to think about that. She couldn’t help but notice that devastatingly charming grin that hadn’t changed, the way one corner of his mouth raised slightly higher than the other. She knew every nook and cranny of that mouth. A hot flush rushed between her thighs as her eyes lingered on him, remembering just how strong her attraction to him was all those years ago. Struggling to ignore those thoughts, she smiled at the eager young girl as Lawrence discussed the riding program in more detail with Penny and her parents.
Cassianna tried to gather her wits as she watched Lawrence, disbelieving that he was really there in the flesh. How could he be here? At Lewiston? And what is he doing being chairman of the board? That was what he said, wasn’t it? Now she couldn’t even think straight. She was trying to pull herself together, but she kept staring at his green eyes, as they flashed with animation.
There was an awkward silence as Lawrence and the Stevenses finished their discussion of the riding facilities while Cassianna just stood there lost in her thoughts.
“Well we’d best be getting back to the office,” Cassianna announced, rejoining the conversation. “Thank you, Mr. Taylor,” she said politely as her eyes met his, a bolt of intense heat rippled through her from head to toe.
*~*
About Kate: Kate Deveaux is a contemporary erotic romance writer and die-hard romantic. A former wedding planner, she has always been “in love” with love! Kate is currently working on several fictional stories – each filled with sexy romance, heroines who are no shrinking violets and heroes who make your heart skip a beat. She is a member of Savvy Author, Romance Writers of America (RWA) and their erotic romance chapter, Passionate Ink. Kate currently resides with her husband in Arizona.
Author website: http://www.katedeveaux.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Deveaux/349294291841235?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KateDeveaux
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Total E-Bound: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2139
Red Sage: http://eredsage.com/store/DEVEAUX_KATE.html
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