by Sarah | Feb 5, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Hump Day Hook, Writing
Another Hump Day Hook! Once again I’m bringing some Jane and Cole to the party.
This really is lucky week 13…because I found out yesterday that Changing Tracks will be released on the 8th – that’s this Friday! So you’ll be able to find it on Friday at Secret Cravings Publishing!
All month long I’ll be having a giveaway here on the blog that will include copies of the book and some surprise swag! So to keep updated on the giveaway and where to find it when it starts, make sure to head on over to my Facebook page & like it to get my updates.
Once again I beg your indulgence. In 95% of cases I try to keep it to one paragraph, but as its release week and I love this little scene and how she fends off his attempt to sway her affections, it’s a little longer. Next week will be well within guidelines again, promise. This isn’t much longer than a paragraph:
As her fingers sought the prize she had in mind, he lifted her onto the desk. Her hand abandoned its task when he yanked her hips firm against his. Desire rose to fight off her anger, winning the battle. She would cave soon.
The pain of the past few weeks rushed up at the thought. With a sob, she pushed him away. “No.”
“Come on, Jane.” His lips found the sweet spot just under her ear.
Focusing on the rising anger at the gall he had to assume she would be so weak, that a few suggestive touches would sway her, she shoved him back with all her strength. At his chuckling, she reached into the drawer and grabbed what she’d been after. “I believe I said no.”
Cole’s laughter faded when she leveled the gun at him, his eyebrow quirking up. “You ain’t gonna shoot me.”
*~*~*
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 | Feb 4, 2013 | Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
I’m sitting here this morning looking out the window…and what do I see? Snow. Cold, wet, white, icy snow. Yes, it can be beautiful to gaze upon, especially when the sun is shining, making the snow glisten and glitter. But, it’s not often I have a chance to simply gaze upon the snow. Regardless of the weather, life goes on, which means appointments, jobs, grocery shopping, and other errands. It means bundling up with boots, mittens, hats, scarves, and heavy winter coats — and still freezing.
No doubt, by now, you’ve figured out that I don’t care for snow. Or winter. Oh, the holidays are nice, but I could just as easily celebrate Christmas in July, and I like to be thankful every day of the year, so setting aside a day in November really isn’t necessary. And our recently-celebrated Groundhog’s Day? It’s always been one of my favorites, but I could do without it if it meant getting rid of winter.
Someday, I should move to a warm, sunny clime. Of course, unless I could convince all of my friends and family to move along with me, I probably wouldn’t enjoy it.
As I’ve been staring at the snow — looking out the window, you see, is a lovely distraction from writing — I’m been thinking about weather and how it’s often used in novels to reflect a character’s mood.
Happily Ever After, my latest historical romance, opens on a lovely summer’s day. Anne Hopkins is on her way to her first meeting with Henrietta Mather, in hopes that she’ll be hired as the woman’s companion. After being fired from her previous position, Anne wants to put the past behind her. The beautiful weather appears to be a harbinger of good things to come:
Blue skies and golden sunlight promised a bright future.
Indeed, Mrs. Mather does offer Anne a job, but it’s not the job she expected. Rather than a widow’s companion, she’s to be the caretaker for Henrietta’s grand-daughter, a troubled nine-year-old still grieving over her mother’s death.
Although Anne is able to make a strong emotional connection with Rowena, she can’t prevent the terrifying nightmares the child experiences. When Rowena confides the secret that her father “isn’t a very nice man”, Anne’s suspicions are aroused. Could George Mather be the dragon haunting his daughter’s dreams?
Again, the weather plays a part in setting the mood:
Anne sat alone on the porch for a time staring off into the distance where a summer storm brewed on the horizon. Soon, thick, gray clouds rolled in, turning the skies dark and gloomy, a fitting counterpart to her turbulent emotions.
The wind picked up, bringing a sudden chill to the air. As a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, Anne hurried inside, her thoughts still unsettled. Thunder shook the house and moments later, the rain came.
She didn’t want to see George yet. She needed time to get her thoughts together and come to terms with the new knowledge she’d gained. Using Henrietta’s old ploy, she feigned a headache and went to her room.
* * * *
“Are you coming down for dinner, Anne?”
She opened her eyes, surprised that several hours had passed. Although she’d ignored the knocking at her door, she could not ignore the voice. His voice. So gentle, so warm, so inviting.
“No, I’m not feeling well.” She closed her eyes again.
“Do you want me to bring a tray upstairs?”
“That’s not necessary. I don’t have much of an appetite.”
“Is there anything I can get for you? Anything I can do?”
She clamped her hands over her ears.
Just go away. Stop acting so good and kind.
“No, George. I’m sure I’ll be all right by morning. I just need a little rest.”
She squeezed her eyes shut as the footsteps retreated from her door. She must not think of George’s enticing kisses. She must remember, instead, Rowena’s secrets and tearful pleas. Her words had been a cry for help.
The rain beat down incessantly throughout the long night. Anne lay awake listening to fierce gusts of wind and the drops pelting against the window pane. She listened, too, for the piercing cry from Rowena’s room…when the dragons came again.
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
$5.99
Available at:
Sweet Cravings Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance Ebooks
Bookstrand
I hope you enjoyed the excerpt from the story. Happily Ever After (currently ranked in the top ten at Sweet Cravings Publishing) is available from the publisher and other online booksellers.
OR… Feeling lucky?
You can enter my giveaway for a chance to win a copy of “Happily Ever After”. All you need to do is comment on this post. Tell me what the weather is like where you are, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win. Please be sure to include an email address so I can contact you if you’re the winner.
The contest will be open until 9:00 AM (that’s cold, mid-western Central Standard Time) on Wednesday, February 6. Winner will be selected through Random.org, and will be notified immediately afterward. Winner will have the choice of Kindle, Nook, or other e-book format.
*~*~*
About Christina:
Christina Cole fell in love with words at a very young age. She’ll always be grateful for her grandfather and his patience as he taught her the joys of reading. Throughout her childhood she loved telling tales. She begged and pleaded for her mother to type them, but soon — with her grandfather’s guidance — learned to type for herself on his old Underwood.
Things have changed now. Her grandfather is gone, and so is the old typewriter, but Christina’s love for story-telling has remained strong. She now does her typing on a computer in a cozy little writing room filled with books, treasures, and a much-cherished photograph of her grandfather.
She is married, lives in the midwest, loves history, hates winter, and is happily at work on her next historical romance.
by Sarah | Feb 3, 2013 | Books, Challenge, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Another Tuesday Tales, the same story – still without a title. It’ll come to me eventually, I suppose. I give a couple of hints into WHAT Carolyn is, but still don’t spill the beans completely. I believe the next foray into this world will answer it for you…but I can’t be sure until it’s written. 🙂 I do know that a couple of times during this bit I tried to slip back into 3rd person. Still not used to this first person stuff.
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
I got to my feet and carried the box into the kitchen. For a few minutes I could do nothing but stare at it sitting on my table. Whatever was in that box could, and likely would, ruin the busy life I had now — only to make it more chaotic. I’d done my time, earned this vacation. With trepidation I dug the scissors out of our ‘junk’ drawer and sliced open the tape.
It didn’t matter if I could have sliced it open myself. Without direct orders I’d stay human as long as possible.
Brown shredded paper provided a buffer against bouncing. The assembly shunned many modern conveniences like packing peanuts. It now was suspect, the delivery truck and man might not have been anything more than my phoenix spy outside. Crafty creatures like that could imitate a great many sounds.
I sighed. No point in delaying any longer. I yanked out the shredded paper and it drifted like snow to my spotless bamboo floor. A plain white envelope sat on top of something. The stamped crest was made of pure liquid silver, set by cooling to earth’s temperature and removed only by fire itself. Not known to humans, only our kind knew of its location and existence.
Two dragons curved along the shield, their tails entwined, noses touching. The face of the shield held a griffin with wings unfurled. Habit brought my hand to my chest where my pendant hung hidden below my shirt. Solid silver, heavy daily reminder of how many years before my molt would occur.
So far in this incarnation I’d worn it every day, it had helped me appreciate the short span of time I’d have. After so many years it became easy to take a vacation as a human for granted. After all, thirty years is nothing when you’ve had eons.
I pulled my hand from the pendant and ran my fingertips along the lines of the crest. Once again I’d have to shed a bit of humanity to open it. They knew it, that’s why they’d used liquid silver.
A scream jolted through me and the envelope toppled to the table. My heart pounded in my chest as I glared at the hawk perched outside my window. While I’d ended use of my third-sight, I had no doubt he was the same phoenix from out front. “For an animal with a life as long as mine you are exceedingly impatient. I’m opening it. Go return and tell them as much. Nosy bird.”
Its beak opened and a staccato of shrieks echoed out, a loud and very poor imitation of laughter. “Glad you’re enjoying yourself.”
I grabbed the envelope again and stretched out my neck. Doing this would leave my hand marked for days. I’d have to feign an injury so Darren wouldn’t know. Maybe I could keep it down to one finger.
Eyed closed I focused on the burning heat in the base of my spine and let it build into a small flame. Under careful guidance the flame worked its way along my bones and into my veins down to my finger.
Pain let me know the shift was happening, but I kept my eyes closed. I’d much rather let instinct tell me the silver had melted than the visual of the matter.
Once the flap of the envelope popped up I pulled my finger back. It took ten times more concentration to rein in the heat and return it to my source. My index finger throbbed and when I opened my eyes it looked like someone had fun with a tattoo gun over half my hand. Lines wove together into something akin to a Henna tattoo, with both elaborate designs and the scallops of scales.
If only I was still single I could leave them.
No matter, I’d cover it later. For now, the letter had to have priority. I pulled out the thick card-stock and flipped it over. My own fathers elegant script scrolled along the card. A message and a command.
Emergency. Inside the box is your excuse. You will not be able to return.
“Bullshit.” I threw down the card. “I won’t do it. You tell him.”
My tattooed hand jerked toward the bird outside my window. “You tell him that I won’t leave so that I can’t return. I won’t molt so easily. Tell him.”
The bird let out a shrill scream before lifting into the air.
Sure I’d be in trouble. But I’d be damned if I’d be ordered around that easy.
*~*
Side note, to see approximately what Carolyn’s hand looks like after this little incident, it’s something like this:
http://blog.bodycandy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Henna-Tattooing.jpg
(I’m linking to the image rather than display it as I don’t like displaying any image that isn’t mine on the blog. Click over, though…it’s pretty cool)
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
by Sarah | Jan 31, 2013 | Book Release, Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
Today I’m happy to have another fellow Secret Cravings author, Victoria Black stop by with her brand new release, Heavenly Revenge! She’s included an excerpt…but be warned – it’s naughty 🙂
Hi Sarah! Thank you so much for having me. You are the very first person to let me talk about my newest novella, Heavenly Revenge, which was released by Secret Cravings Publishers only yesterday. As you can see from the wonderful cover designed by Dawne Dominique, my book a fantasy. Nothing too weird. Just a couple of angels and an alternate reality. And a planet that isn’t Earth. But the hero and heroine, and the fireworks they create, are entirely human! Here’s a tiny little appetizer…
*~*
Revenge can be cold and cruel.
When Rose dies before her time, two sweet, old angels send her on a mission to save another world. The angels worry she will be no match for the land’s strong king. However Rose has learned a bitter lesson courtesy of her unfaithful and very ex boyfriend. She is strong too.
But when the lovely Rose meets Andrejs, the handsome king of this strange land, she has a sweet battle on her hands. He believes she is an enemy spy who has learned a secret that may affect the outcome of the war raging between his kingdom and the land to the north.
It is against Andrejs’ code to hurt a woman.
But, as both he and Rose discover, revenge needn’t be cold or cruel. Revenge can be hot and very pleasurable indeed.
*~*
Isn’t that a sexy premise? I LOVE revenge stories. You do know I write erotic romance, don’t you? Not porn, as I cry in the wilderness to my embarrassed, grown-up children. And in my stories, the emphasis is on both words – erotic and romance. They are certainly sexy, but first, last and always, they are romances. Here’s another little morsel, a small tapas plate, to keep you wanting more…
“That was the most beautiful noise I’ve ever heard.”
The king stood in the doorway. He didn’t seem to be furious like he’d been before, but there was something quietly dangerous about him as he walked into the room and stopped in front of her. He moved with the grace of a panther stalking its prey. “Thank you,” she said. “It’s called music, by the way, not noise.”
Staring down at her with no expression in his eyes, he reached down to the hem of his tunic and drew it over his head. Which left him naked. She looked into his hard, brown eyes, set deep in his handsome face. Then her gaze traveled down the length of his body—from his broad shoulders and muscular chest with its curly, wiry black hair, down to his flat belly, with an arrow of black hair pointing down to his thick, hardening member. She hurriedly lowered her eyes to his long, powerful legs, lightly covered with that same dark hair. He was tanned and beautiful.
As Rose glanced back up into his eyes, she caught his gleam of amusement. His tense jaw relaxed with his chuckle. “Do I meet with your approval, my pretty little enemy?” He lay down next to her and reached out for the sheet that wrapped around her, slowly drawing it away.
As he circled her nipple with his fingertip, he said softly, “You are my prisoner, Rose. It will be my pleasure to punish you for being such an efficient spy.” He bent his head to her breast and swirled the blade of his tongue around her aureole, before gently flicking her now very erect nipple with the tip. “You will be mine to fuck any time and in any way I choose. Do you understand?”
Sounds fun? Of course, if I met the sexy, alpha male Andrejs, I’d run a mile. But luckily, my feisty little heroine, Rose, is more than a match for him.
by Sarah | Jan 29, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Hump Day Hook, Writing
Another Hump Day Hook! Once again I’m bringing some Jane and Cole to the party. I don’t have my official release date yet, but I know that it will be out next month with Secret Cravings Publishing!
This is from early in their relationship, before they’ve even kissed. A fun little scene, but I can only show you a little of it 🙂 :
Setting down the orange she’d been holding, she straightened. “Well, I’m afraid I have a list of things to do today. And you know what? I could search all day and amusing Cole Mitchell would not be found there.”
Saucy. What a challenge she could be. He doubted she could be tamed, but he’d love to try anyway.
*~*~*
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 | Jan 28, 2013 | Books, Challenge, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
I’ve joined another weekly writing challenge called Tuesday Tales. I get a prompt every week and write what comes to mind. This first part flowed so well, I’ll probably try to continue the story, using prompts along the way.
As of now, this is untitled. It’s not my usual style to write in first person, so I’m on a learning curve, but it’s how the story wanted to be written.
Please keep in mind that this story is coming in short pieces and is all first draft, so spelling and grammar issues are possible.
This weeks prompt: Light.
The high pitched whine of a delivery truck’s brakes penetrated the sanctuary of peace I’d built. Heavy footsteps plodded through the snow, a shadowy form growing larger through the intricate frosted glass.
Tension started to wind its way through each of my relaxed muscles. The calm center I’d managed to find popped like a bubble at the peal of our insanely loud doorbell.
So much for meditation.
With the kids at school and husband at work I thought maybe I could manage to find peace and quiet for five minutes. That’s what I get for making plans.
“I could try again.” Even as I said it, I knew it was just too much work.
Besides, curiosity tugged my attention toward the door. Despite last year’s mad obsession with the home shopping channels, I’d been very good about not buying a whole lot this year. I couldn’t recall ordering anything in the past week.
Maybe Darren had ordered something.
I snorted as I rose to my feet. Darren wouldn’t order anything online. Doesn’t trust the internet, big brother, or the space needle. I have always thought it was adorable, really. The man didn’t even own a smartphone.
Everyone owns smartphones. Even everyone in the government he’s so afraid of.
I pulled open the door and found a small box, hardly worth shipping via the big shipping company. Addressed to Carolyn Riese. Me. Return address, oddly smudged until unreadable.
My hackles raised and I glanced around the quiet neighborhood.
Nothing out of the ordinary caught my eye, but my nerves stayed on edge. Winter covered every naked branch and home, covering the world in white silence. A loud scream from a hawk made me jump out of my skin. I found it high in a tree.
Despite the risk of a neighbor seeing I let my third lid blink so I could see beyond the normal. The moment the membrane restored my inhuman sight the world around me changed. Light shimmered and echoed through each snowflake until the ground itself was as blinding as the sun.
Rays of red light streamed down from the tree, echoing sun-dogs in its effect. The red-tailed hawk had revealed itself to be a phoenix.
They were watching me.
If I ignored the package, the consequence could be great.
“It’s only been fifteen years.”
The phoenix turned its head at my complaint, fiery wings flapping before it lifted into the air and soared toward me.
I snatched the box from the porch and slammed the door before he got too close. The box settled in my lap as I sank to the floor. It couldn’t be.
There was still an option to ignore the box, but if I did they’d turn my life upside down in worse ways than I could imagine.
I couldn’t let that happen.
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
Another Hump Day Hook! Once again I’m bringing some Jane and Cole to the party.
