Monday, December 30, 2019

#NewRelease - "Santa, Baby!" by Lisabet Sarai



Santa, Baby!
A naughty holiday fantasy
By Lisabet Sarai

Femdom Holiday Erotica
12,000 words, 51 pages
Smashwords and Amazon KDP
ISBN (Smashwords): 9780463715581
ASIN: B082ZTHVKJ

Hashtags/Keywords

#HolidayErotica #BoyToy #AnalSex #OralSex #Blowjob #Femdom #Pegging #Strapon #MILF #Swinging #SantaClaus #Lesbian #Spanking

Tag Line

This Christmas, Santa discovers it’s nice to be naughty.

Blurb

Matt Glaser may not have the Santa Claus beard or belly, but when it comes to earning extra holiday cash, he loves his red suit like a reindeer loves carrots. This potential client, though—classy, curvy Eleanor Danforth—seems more interested in checking out his butt than his references. And two grand for a private party? Oy vey, Prancer, something's not kosher about this particular Vixen.

Online Excerpt


Excerpt

Muffled in the overcoat I’d borrowed from my roommate Brian, I faced the hardwood and brass double doors to the Danforth’s fortieth floor apartment. The doorbell was easy to locate; I just wasn’t sure I had the guts to ring it.

The Santa costume that my employer had provided was more appropriate for a go-go boy than Father Christmas. The droopy conical hat was traditional, with its fuzzy white trim and pom-pom, and the knee-high black patent leather boots, too, but St. Nicolas wouldn’t have been caught dead in these shiny red spandex hot pants. They clung to my bum like a second skin. It was a good thing the weather was warm for December, or I would have frozen my balls off. The scarlet shirt, fashioned of some sort of stretchy velvet, had long sleeves with white fur cuffs. However, the front made a plunging vee that bared most of my chest.

I was grateful for the soft, snowy-white fake beard. It hid my blushes. I felt ridiculous and incredibly exposed. Like most authors, I tended to live in my head, my vivid imagination compensating for my mundane real-world existence. In contrast, this costume emphasized the physical. My face was hidden; my mind wasn’t important. I had no illusions about the fact that Mrs. Danforth had hired me primarily for my body.

I could still back out. Turn around, step back into the chrome and steel elevator and whoosh down to the ground floor. Spend Christmas Eve eating take-out and working on my novel.

Seriously, though, could I afford to throw away two thousand bucks? Meanwhile, the experience, however weird, might in the future serve as grist to the writer’s mill.

Before I could talk myself out it, I gave the button a firm press.

Almost immediately, Mrs. Danforth opened the door. “Good evening, Matt. You’re right on time. I do appreciate punctuality.”

My eyes grew wide and my cock started to harden as I took her in. She’d been attractive in her form-fitting suit and silky blouse, but now she was stunning.  Her sleeveless, evergreen-colored cocktail dress was fashioned from some light, shimmery fabric that clung to her voluptuous breasts and hips. The short skirt showed off her smooth thighs and muscled calves, their shapeliness enhanced by her sparkling red stilettos. Her pale hair gleamed in the recessed lights of the entry way. Artfully-applied make up accentuated her patrician features. Her plump, crimson lips were moist and inviting.

“Toss your coat onto the chair,” she ordered. “Let’s see the costume.”

Like an automaton, I shrugged off the heavy wool garment.

She clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, you look spectacular! Sexy and naughty, just the way I imagined.”

Buy Links


Kinky Literature –
Barnes and Noble – TBA
Kobo – TBA



About Lisabet

Lisabet Sarai became addicted to words at an early age. She began reading when she was four. She wrote her first story at five years old and her first poem at seven. Since then, she has written plays, tutorials, scholarly articles, marketing brochures, software specifications, self-help books, press releases, a five-hundred page dissertation, and lots of erotica and erotic romance – over one hundred titles, and counting, in nearly every sub-genre—paranormal, scifi, ménage, BDSM, GLBT, and more. Regardless of the genre, every one of her stories illustrates her motto: Imagination is the ultimate aphrodisiac.

You’ll find information and excerpts from all Lisabet’s books on her website (http://www.lisabetsarai.com/books.html), along with more than fifty free stories and lots more. At her blog Beyond Romance (http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com), she shares her philosophy and her news and hosts lots of other great authors. She’s also on Goodreads, Pinterest, and  Twitter. Join her VIP email list here: https://btn.ymlp.com/xgjjhmhugmgh

Sunday, December 29, 2019

#BookReview – “Uncontrollable” by Susan Kearney


Blurb

When FBI operative Amanda Lane goes undercover to find a murderer, she makes a disturbing discovery: Hathaway Balkmandy, her main suspect, can control desire. Through some extraordinary power, he can make any woman want him. And he’s set his sights on Amanda.

When paramilitary agent Bolt Tanner gets assigned to the case, he finds himself with a smart, gorgeous partner...who’s dangerously incapacitated. He has no choice but to come to her rescue—by satisfying her every sexual need.

But they have to discover the source of Hathaway’s strange effect fast, because Amanda’s urges are becoming uncontrollable. And only Bolt’s exquisite—and constant—sensual attention is keeping her from succumbing to Hathaway...the man who killed her sister!

Review

In the seventh book of the Heroes Inc. series, FBI agent Amanda Lane is investigating a cruel, smarmy man since she believes he’s responsible for the death of her sister and other crimes she can’t prove. The man, Hathaway, owns a popular fashion-modeling agency and women can’t control themselves around him. Quite literally. He has a strange, unnatural ability to make any woman he wants fall into lust and beg him to sleep with her.
Bolt Tanner, an undercover Shey Group agent, is looking for a missing perfume bottle that’s rumored to enhance the paranormal powers of its owner. Luckily for both him and Amanda, she is partially immune to Hathaway’s evil charms, but that only draw’s the bad guy’s attention. As they work together, love blooms. But can Amanda trust her feelings while under Hathaway’s influence?
This is a very unusual romance novel. The sexual tension between Amanda and Bolt was off the charts. Though Amanda struggled to repel Hathaway, the scenes between them were hot too. Amanda is a very strong character and I loved her determination to not give up. Bolt is so understanding and truly a decent person, even when another man is turning on the woman he loves.
Though I liked the story, the pacing dragged a little and there was a lot of repetition. There were a lot of sex scenes, too, but given the nature of the plot, the number is understandable.
The ending didn’t make sense to me. I don’t want to give too much away, but Amanda shoots Hathaway and the cops didn’t arrest her. (She wasn’t carrying her badge.) Then the cops find proof that he killed her sister. In the real world, she would’ve been in handcuffs since she had motive to kill him.
Anyway, I enjoyed the plot about the paranormal bottle, the H/h’s search for it, and for the couple’s great chemistry.
3 Stars

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Two Books in Two Wonderful Contests

Wow! I'm so honored. 
Arresting Mason, my sexy romantic suspense, has been nominated along with some other great books in the TBR Pile's Book of the Year Contest. It won for the month of May, so hopefully my luck will continue with the yearly award.
Please vote for Arresting Mason. I would greatly appreciate it.
http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/
*** Contest ends on January 2 ***

**** 
Even more great news. 
Lyrical Embrace, my rockstar romance novella, is in the Annual Critters Readers' Poll. 
Votes are needed!
*** Polls closes on January 14 ***

Thank you so much!


Friday, December 27, 2019

#BookReview – “A Burning Obsession” by Susan Kearney


Blurb

Kimberly Hayward was a stickler for the details in her action-adventure script. She'd checked out every heist--and murder!--for authenticity. Now she had to inject some more sizzle into the love scenes. Who better to help with some "hands-on" research than the mysterious but sexy Jason Parker?

Field agent Jason had never tackled an assignment like this--til a gorgeous blonde who seemed to be up to something suspicious. And he was certain the case didn't involve indulging in sexual fantasies with Kimberly, but who could resist? She seduced him one night--and even took notes, strangely enough! No question, their unfolding relationship was hot, explosive...obsessive. But what happened next wasn't even in the script....


Review


In the fourth book of the Heroes Inc. series, Kimberly Hayward is a Hollywood screenwriter who’s so close to signing her erotic/thriller heist script to a movie director. Her research vacation to the UK is twofold: she needs to make sure the items that are being stolen in the script could really be stolen in real life, and she needs to figure out how to add in the erotic elements the director wants. She’s having a blast playing the “spy” and sneaking into a library to steal a page from an important historical book, but she didn’t expect that a real spy would be watching her.
In truth, Jason Parker is a professional jewel thief wanted in several countries, but he owes a favor to a secretive agency called the Shey Group. The Shey caught him a while back but didn’t turn him over to the authorities, so he agreed to watch Kimberly to figure out if she’s a real spy. His gut tells him she’s innocent, but when the items she’s investigating actually go missing, he wonders if her innocence is all an act.
I love the plot but found it a little confusing. Kimberly is a determined, stubborn woman, but she’s uptight and naïve. She continuously debated about whether or not to like, trust, and sleep with Jason. Her internal thoughts and dialogue grew repetitive. Jason is charming, persuasive, and very light-fingered when it comes to snatching jewels and opening Kimberly’s blouse without her knowing. My confusion stemmed from the heist. I just couldn’t understand how Jason knew so much with so little explanation to how he figured it all out.
There are a few unanswered questions. Mainly: how did the actual thief manage to steal the items when he wasn’t a professional?
Also, the scene with Jason and Kimberly in the hot tub was sooooo hot, but unrealistic. Police officers would never let a naked couple play around in a bubble bath while they searched the bedroom for a stolen artifact. Other than that, the book was very realistic, in my opinion, and made for a fun heist story.
Anyway, I liked the book and would like to read more from this author.
3.5 Stars

Sunday, December 22, 2019

#BookReview – “Deathscape” by Dana Marton


Blurb

After a near-death experience, artist Ashley Price is compelled to paint visions of the dead, and fears she's gone crazy. Then she paints a man buried alive and, recognizing the surroundings, she rushes to save him.

Instead of being grateful to her for rescuing him, Detective Jack Sullivan accuses her of being in league with a serial killer. He swears he will put her behind bars. Except, the more time he spends with her, the more he falls under her spell. Can he trust her, or is he walking into another deadly trap?
 


Review


In the second Broslin Creek novel, Detective Jack Sullivan is hunting a serial killer and gets too close to the killer’s comfort. Trapped, kidnapped, and tortured, Jack is buried alive in the snowy woods and left for dead.
After a near-death experience a year earlier, artist Ashley Price longs for a normal life. She has visions of dead people, which send her into a trance. The only way she can get the images out of her head is to paint them. Due to her mental instability, she’s given her dad custody of her adorable daughter, but she’s determined to get better so she can bring her daughter home. One night, a vision hits and she paints it as usual. But this time, when she breaks free from the trance, she realizes the victim in the painting isn’t dead. He’s still alive, and she recognizes the scenery as part of her property. She goes out looking and finds Jack near death. But Jack isn’t all that grateful to her for saving him. He’s convinced she’s working with the serial killer, and he’ll do anything to prove it.
This is a good mystery, crime-fiction story, and I didn’t figure out who was the killer until late in the book. Both Jack and Ashley have serious baggage and trust issues. There was very little romance between them, at least until maybe ¾ of the book. I couldn’t connect with either of them. Though I understood their motivations behind their actions, their stubbornness and animosity towards one another made it hard for me to root for them.
The time line seemed off from the last book. It’s either been one year, two years, or a few years from the previous one. Kate and Murph, the previous book’s couple, weren’t in this one and they weren’t mentioned either, but Captain Bing played a big role. The local police captain tied the two books together.
Overall, I liked the murder mystery part, but I wish there would’ve been more romance between the H/h.
3 Stars

Friday, December 20, 2019

#BookReview – “Deathwatch” by Dana Marton

Blurb

As the only person who can identify the most notorious hit man in the country, Kat Bridges is running for her life.

Murphy Dolan is in the Army Reserves, returning from his 2nd tour of duty, only to find a stranger hiding in his house. She's scared spitless. He's completely burned-out on violence. Neither of them has any trust left to give.

If the best of the FBI couldn't protect her from the country’s most notorious assassin, does a burned-out small town cop have a prayer?

Review

In the first Broslin Creek novel, Kate Bridges is the only person who can identify the number one person on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, so that man is determined to find and kill her. She only stays in one place for a few months at a time, and she’s currently renting a house from someone who doesn’t own it. When the real owner unexpectedly returns home, she’s knows she’s in trouble.
After an eight-month deployment in Afghanistan, US Army Reserves officer Murph Dolan returns home injured (physically and mentally) and only wants to get back to his old life. When he finds a sexy redhead asleep in his bed, he thinks she’s a welcome home present, at least until she starts screaming and pulls a gun on him. As it turns out, his brother rented the house to her. Murph can tell she’s in trouble—he’s a former cop and his instincts are on high alert—but he can’t help her unless she confides in him.
Kate and Murph are wonderful characters. Kate has lived a hard life growing up in foster care, but she lucked out with her wonderful adoptive family. She’s a tough, smart woman who’s had to make some tough choices to keep her family safe. Murph had a rough childhood, too, but he fared better than Kate did. He has PTSD and serious guilt about his friends and comrades dying overseas, which he thinks is his fault. They’re both broken people, but their trust in one another helps them heal.
This is a really good book. There are a lot of twists and turns, but I did guess who the villain was right away. Still, I enjoyed the way Kate and Murph tried to uncover the identity of the second assassin and how to trap him.
The ending of the book surprised me. There’s a HEA, but there’s also a loose end. I’m hoping this will be tied up in the next book, but I don’t think it will be due to certain things happening in this story, which I don’t want to spoil for readers.
Overall, I liked the book and will check out more books in the series.
4 Stars

Thursday, December 19, 2019

#CharacterInterview - "Karma's Slow Burn" by Nalini Warriar

I love when characters stop by for a chat. Today we have the heroine from Karma's Slow Burn
Let's get started...

What’s your name?
Karma Deepika Huntington 

What do you look like?
Small frame, long dark hair, dark eyes. I love to dress in jeans and plaid shirts. But I clean up real good.

What time period does your story take place?
A contemporary romance set in modern times 2019

What’s your goal in this story?
I’d like to make Rafael Henley miserable. Make him pay for what he did to me.

What is your occupation?
Are you any good at it? Do you like it? I’m a sportswriter in a male-dominated industry. I love my job and am very good at what I do. I will not suffer fools. I love it when I walk into the clubhouse and all the players fall silent. They’re not sure what to make of me. I don’t wear high heels, my hair is in a tight bun and I’m wearing a plaid shirt, jeans and boots. 

What skill do you have that you’re proud of?
Why? I can defend myself. If attacked, I can give back just as good. My father made sure I was able to defend myself if needed.

What did you think the first time you saw Rafael?
He’s handsome, tall and will look straight into my eyes. He’s honest and a wonderful dad to his baby girl who is his number one priority. 

What is your family like?
I’m surrounded by love. My dad and his friends raised me. They have given me nothing but their love and support. They taught me that the world is made up of many colors and it is up to me to find my part in it.

What's the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?
Losing my husband was a shock I’m still trying to overcome.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
This too shall pass.

Do you see morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?
I see it as black-and-white.

Why do you think your author chose to write about you?
I’m a strong, independent woman going through some tough issues. Plus I get to hang out with sweaty, bare-chested men all the time!

What do you wish your author had not told others about you?
That sex with my husband wasn’t all that great. 


Blurb Karma’s Slow Burn

Sportswriter Karma Deepika Huntington is going to hit Rafael Henley, star pitcher for the Sliders, hard to avenge her husband’s death. Rafael cannot ignore the chemistry between them and decides a one-night stand is in order. Karma agrees, just to get that itch off. But once they get into each other’s pants, things get complicated. Revenge and guilt take a back seat with sizzling chemistry in control.

Excerpt 

Reverie? What kind of a man used such an old-fashioned word?
Karma hoped he wasn’t expecting polite conversation and was glad when he maintained silence. Finally, she couldn’t stand it anymore and opened her eyes. His features were bathed in the silver light of the moon. Dark hair maybe. That nose. There was something about it. And those lips. She’d seen them before.

“Henley! What are you doing here? On my spot?”

He peered at her, angled his face and his features came into focus. “Your spot? I distinctly heard you say this is free and not yours to own, Karma.”

“This,” using her index fingers, she made a square in the air right before her face, “is my spot. That,” she jabbed a finger in a vague direction away from her, “is yours.”

“All right then. Now that’s clear.”

“Anyway Henley, what are you doing here?”

“Getting back from my mother’s. She lives up there,” he pointed with his chin.

“You’ll have to spell that out. Can’t see a bloody thing in this moonlight.”

“Right over on Miranda Ave. And you?”

“Midland area.”

“Right, I forgot. Small world.”

“Yeah. How’s that baby of yours?”

“The most beautiful thing on this earth.”

“ Remind me, boy or girl?”

“Girl. Alicia.”

“Think we could get together for some pictures?”

“Sure. Just let me know.”

After that, nothing more was said. Clouds wandered in bit by bit until they extinguished the light from the moon, shrouding them in its pale afterglow. Karma became increasingly aware of the figure beside her. She crinkled her nose. Definitely something woodsy maybe even citrusy. She felt the shape of his arm next to hers and had an unbearable urge to touch him. The light from the moon turned diffuse before it became dark.

When he did something, she nearly jumped out of her skin, she had so tuned out. His hand was under her chin cupping it, turning her face to him. She made out the shape of his face before he lowered his head further.

“I’m going to kiss you, Karma. You have five seconds to stop me if you don’t want this as badly as I do.”

His sexy voice slithered into her ears and five seconds later, his silky beard brushed against her cheeks and then his mouth was on hers. His other hand moved to her back pulling her closer to him and then she was in his lap. 


Nalini Warriar dreamed of being a writer then forgot the dream for a bit as she went on to garner a Ph.D in Molecular Biology. While in her lab, the dream came back and hit her on the head and she’s never looked back writing through her years as a scientist. After more than a decade in cancer research, Nalini returned to the creative part of her soul and now devotes her time to dreaming up the perfect alpha male and feisty woman to appear in her books. Her novel, Fireflies in the Night, was a Foreword Reviews Fab Award finalist and won the Next Generation Indie Book Award in 2017. Kirkus Reviews awarded Fireflies in the Night a starred review and named it Best Books of 2016. Karma’s Slow Burn, a contemporary romance will be released in February 2020. She’s working on her next romance, a Crenshaw Brothers book, to be released in 2020. She lives in Ontario, Canada.

Author Links 

www.facebook.com/authornaliniwarriar
www.amazon.com/author/naliniwarriar
www.goodreads.com/author/show/1028475.Nalini_Warriar

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

#BookReview – “The Highlander’s Hope” by Cali MacKay



Blurb

When Dr. Catriona Ross discovers clues to a long lost highland treasure, her only hope of finding the jewels is to obtain the help of Scotland's most eligible bachelor and playboy, Iain MacCraigh.

Iain can't believe his luck when he finds out the jewels are hidden away somewhere on his land-- and it doesn't hurt that the historian looking for them has curves to go with her smarts. With his brother betting the family fortune, this is the life line he desperately needs.

The odds are against them, and with word getting out about the jewels, they're not the only ones on the hunt. Time's running out, but can they learn to trust each other, or will they lose the jewels and true love in the process?

Review

Dr. Cat Ross is in Scotland to research the whereabouts of the Highland Hope, a priceless bejeweled necklace with significant historical value. She needs help from the MacCraigh clan since she suspects the necklace is hidden somewhere on their property. She just didn’t expect to have a flat tire as she’s driving up to meet the family, nor did she think a gorgeous man in the Jag would nearly run her over.
Iain MacCraigh is the laird of the clan, he’s some type of businessman (real estate, I think), and he’s in charge of taking care of his immediate family even though his father is still alive and well. He has a lot of responsibility and only dates models. After he leaves an angry woman on the road to deal with a flat tire herself, he didn’t expect to later find her in his castle talking with his dad.
Iain and Cat have great chemistry and the sexual tension was off the charts, but they argued a lot. They’re both stubborn and their tempers often clashed, which sometimes made them unlikable. Iain is dealing with family issues—his unrepentant brother owes a million plus dollars to some criminals—and Cat can’t escape the clutches of her ex-boyfriend, a fellow colleague who is determined to claim the discovery of the necklace for himself.
I enjoyed the mystery of the necklace, and Iain and Cat’s search for it, but there were a lot of starts and stops to finding it. I mean, they would discover a clue and then suddenly have to stop searching because something would distract them. Again and again. This made the story drag a little.
I liked the way the author weaved the historical information about the Jacobites into the story without coming across as lecturing in big info dumps. I find this time-period in Scottish history very interesting, so I loved all the references and facts thrown in.
Even though everything is wrapped up at the end, I don’t like how Iain’s brother doesn’t get in trouble for his mistakes. It’s obvious he’ll cause more problems in the future and that makes for a loose end when it comes to Iain and Cat’s HEA, in my opinion. 
Overall, I enjoyed the romance and especially the mystery. I like the writing style, I didn’t find any typos, and would like to read more from the author.
3 Stars

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

#CharacterInterview - "Waiting for a Miracle" by Jennifer Wilck

Thank you so much, Harriet, for chatting with me today. Let's get started... 

What’s your name? 
Harriet Cohen

What do you look like?
Oy, I really wish people would place less emphasis on looks. You young people today…Okay, fine. I have salt and pepper hair (more salt than pepper), which my gorgeous young hairdresser takes beautiful care of every other week. We are NOT going to discuss my wrinkles or age spots—I’ve lived a very good life and they are signs of wisdom. My nails are done in my favorite color—purple—every week. Anything else?

What time period does your story take place? 
Present day, New York City.

What’s your goal in this story?
I want my son, Benny, oh sorry, Benjamin, to be happy. His wife died a few years ago—Lauren was a sweetheart—and it’s time he moved on. I want to set him up with my neighbor, Rachel. She’s a kindergarten teacher, and is such a shayna maidel—that means beautiful girl in Yiddish. She and I watch the Bachelor every week—love that show! But Benjamin is stubborn, so it’s going to take some work.

What conflicts are you facing?
Other than my stubborn son, you mean? Well, Rachel just broke up with her boyfriend. He was a schmuck if you ask me. And she seems a little hesitant to get back to dating. Time’s going by, though, and I think the two of them would be perfect together.

What is your occupation? Are you any good at it? Do you like it? 
What skill do you have that you’re proud of? Why? Matchmaking, of course! Helping someone fine their bashert, their one true love, is actually a mitzvah, a good deed. And I’ve set up lots of people, successfully (we’ll skip the stories of the few that didn’t work). Trust me, Rachel and Benjamin will be perfect together.

What did you think the first time you saw Rachel? 
The first time I saw Rachel, I was a little nervous, because she’s young, and I thought she might be a partier. We live in a small apartment building and the last thing I want is loud music at all hours of the night. But she’s lovely, and like I said, she likes watching the Bachelor with me.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? 
Never go to bed angry. My husband and I were married fifty years, until he died, and we always settled our arguments before we went to sleep.

If you could go back in time, what one thing would you change in your life?
I’d let my husband live longer. I miss him.

Why do you think your author chose to write about you? 
Probably comic relief. She thinks I’m funny. I think I’m wise.

Blurb

Benjamin Cohen, widowed father of six-year-old Jessie, is doing his best to hold it together through order and routine. The last thing he needs is his matchmaker mother to set him up with her next door neighbor, no matter how attractive she is.

Rachel Schaecter's dream of becoming a foster mother is right within her grasp, until her meddlesome neighbor tries to set her up with her handsome son. What's worse? He's the father of her favorite kindergarten student! She can't afford to let anything come between her and her dream, no matter how gorgeous he may be.

Can these two determined people trust in the miracle of Hanukkah to let love and light into their lives?


Excerpt

Maybe it was too soon. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. No, it wasn’t too soon. While he hadn’t mapped out a complete plan, he’d made the final decision yesterday. He’d made significant tweaks to it after their argument. And now it was time to follow through.
Removing his hands from his pockets once again, he knocked on Rachel’s door and paced until she opened it.
“Hi,” he said. He smiled, but he suspected it was more like a grimace. It felt tight and unnatural. Should he stop? How long did you leave a smile on your face before you let it fall? And who asked these questions?
“Hey,” she said. Surprise made her brows lift. Her voice was quiet, her expression wary.
He ignored his face, his thoughts, and his plans, and focused on her. “Hi.”
“You said that already.”
Great. He raised his hand to...he didn’t know what to do with it. “Can I come in?”
She stiffened. She was going to turn him down. But then, she stepped away from her doorway and motioned him inside.
He stepped over the threshold.

“I thought I heard you!”
His mother’s voice over his shoulder made him turn. His stomach dropped. Just what he didn’t need. She peeked out of her doorway. “I thought I heard your footsteps on the stairs, but when you didn’t come to my door, I figured I was mistaken,” she said, walking into the hallway. “And then I thought I heard your voice, and I was right.”

He clenched and unclenched his jaw. “Hi, Mom. I’m here to see Rachel.” God, it was like high school all over again.
His mother’s face brightened. “I see. Where’s Jessie?”
“She’s at a friend’s house for a play date.”
“So you’re having your own?” His mother’s raised eyebrow set his teeth on edge. She’d never been this excited, or sarcastic, about his dates back when he lived at home. Not even with Lauren. Guess this was her idea of progress. In his opinion, it needed work, preferably back in her own apartment.
“We’re going for a walk,” he said.

“We are?” Rachel asked.

He turned toward her. “Please?” The last thing he needed was a witness. Especially when the witness was his mother.
Her brown-eyed gaze shifted between him and his mother. “That’s right, Harriet, a walk. It’s a gorgeous day.”
The sleet and cold were miserable, but he wanted to kiss her for going along with him. Not in front of his mother, though. And certainly not until he settled what happened between them.
“You two have fun,” she said, her voice filled with glee.
He clenched his fist so tight, it was a miracle his hand didn’t shatter.
He waited for his mother to close the door, but she remained stationed in her entryway like a guard at Buckingham Palace, minus the stone face. Then he waited for Rachel to go inside and get her jacket. He’d never been a fan of waiting. He was less so now.
After the longest thirty seconds of his life, Rachel was bundled. She looked like the sexiest abominable snowman he’d ever seen. Once again, he wanted to kiss her, and once again, he’d have to wait.
“Bye, Mom,” he said as he descended the stairs.
“Bye, Harriet,” Rachel said right behind him.

“Bye, kids!”


Buy Links



Bio 

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

She writes contemporary romance, some of which are mainstream and some of which involve Jewish characters. She’s published with The Wild Rose Press and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Author Links



Monday, December 16, 2019

#GuestPost - "One Woman Only" by Dee S. Knight

Holiday Time

Late fall is my favorite time of the year, not least because of our major holidays. Here in the States, we’re right smack between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s generally cool to cold, no matter where you live, and there’s a sparkle in the air because of anticipation of what is coming (Christmas festivities and New Year fireworks), and because there’s so much to do, so many places to be, so many people to see. We think of it as a family time, though many folks like me, are a long way from most of their loved ones. This time of year makes them feel closer, though, in mind and in heart. Maybe that’s why I set my new book, One Woman Only, during this time of year.

That’s pretty much the situation my imaginary family, The Goodmans, are. The Goodman triplets, Mark, Daniel, and Jonah, are home for Thanksgiving, but also for their parents’ wedding. Yes, the boys are strapping thirty-somethings, and they always lived in a house full of love, but their parents have never been married. The weekend is stacking up to be quite an event because nearly the whole town of Lucky Strike, North Carolina will be in attendance. Add to that, Daniel has come home with his new bride and her (theirs, now) six-year-old son, which adds to the fun and excitement.

Can you picture it? Cold, cold mountain air out the front door, but warm and cozy inside. The men and kids are watching football while Mrs. Goodman and Eve, Daniel's new wife, are in the kitchen making bird seed tossers for the wedding, and chatting, getting to know each other. The house still smells of their dinner and the pies that were baked earlier that afternoon. Little boys are laughing, and the guys are cheering or moaning, depending on the football play.

Then the doorbell rings. Jonah jumps up to answer it, hoping he knows who it is, and he’s right. Kelly Shepherd, the girl who stole his heart in high school and then who he ran from, is standing on the doorstep. For eighteen years they’ve barely set eyes on one another at a distance, and now here they are face-to-face. And what a gorgeous face it is! He’s lost, hardly able to remember his manners enough to invite her in. And he knows—just knows—that Kelly has always been it for him. She’s his One Woman Only who has filled his heart.

Think it’s going to be easy for the two of them to get together. Uh, no. But it will be fun, right up to Christmas and on to New Year, where they might make some fireworks of their own.


One Woman Only, the Good Man series, Book 2
Release date, November 2019
Words: 80,310
Publisher: Nomad Authors Publishing

Buy Link

One Woman Only is on KU: mybook.to/OneWomanOnly

Blurb

As one of a set of triplets, Jonah always feels the need to make his individuality known. So where his brother Daniel is serious and completely focused, Jonah shuns commitment. Where his genius brother Mark is hailed in the scientific world, Jonah hides beneath a car, tinkering. Thing is, being different isn't all it’s cracked up to be. It takes a woman—the right woman—to make him see that a "good man" can always be a better man.


Excerpt

He left the car under the cover in front of the door and strode into the lobby. A petite brunette stood at the registration desk. "May I help you?"

"Yes, I'd like a room."

"For tonight?"

"Yes." Jonah dug his wallet out of his back pocket and removed his VISA.

"One king or two queens?"

"One king."

The girl typed furiously and then looked up. "We only have two queen rooms."

"Then that will do." He didn't give a flying fuck how many beds were in the room as long as it had one as a minimum.

Jonah tapped his card on the counter and then walked to the door to look out at Kelly sitting in the car. He wasn't dreaming. That really was Kelly Shepherd sitting in his car and they really were checking into the Family Inn.

"Just one person?"

Oh yeah. He hadn't actually checked in yet. "Two."

"Oh." What the fuck? Did that sweet young thing just frown in judgement?

"Luggage?"

"No." There was that frown again. He glanced down at his clothing, looking a little wilted now after the wedding and imagined what it looked like, his checking in with someone, obviously coming from a party of some sort. But again, what the fuck? She worked in a no-tell motel. Lots of people probably checked in here in for a quickie.

That thought shocked him. Kelly Shepherd was no quickie. If anything, she was the love of his life, the one he'd never forgotten but never felt he deserved. The rich girl whose daddy owned more than half the town and rented most of the rest. And he was…

For the first time, he saw himself as Daniel had seen the three of them since childhood. Well-loved and well cared for bastards. Yeah, no kids had ever had better parents but that didn't change his parentage. Who was he to hold Kelly Shepherd in his arms?

Just as he started to turn toward the door to leave, the desk clerk asked, "First floor or second?"

"Look, I don't mean to be rude but just pick out a vacant room, tell me how much it is, run my credit card, and give me the key. My bride has been waiting in the car long enough."

Her eyes widened. "Your…your bride? Why didn't you say so?" Her fingers flew across the keyboard. She took his VISA and gave it back after a few seconds. "Park right out there in front of the light pole and you can come in through the front doors. Take the elevators to the third floor and go all the way to the end. That whole wing is empty so you and your wife can have some privacy."

"Thank you, uh"—Jonah looked at her nametag—"Ms. Clark. I appreciate it." Without waiting for more conversation, He dashed back to the car. Minutes later, holding Kelly's hand tightly, he walked quickly back through the lobby.

"Congratu— Oh!" Little Miss Desk Clerk exclaimed. "You didn't wear white."

"What?" Kelly asked, slowing Jonah down with a tug on his hand.

"I said, you didn't wear white. To the wedding."

Shit. After almost talking himself out of taking Kelly up to the room, now interfering Ms. Clark was going to do the trick for him.

"No. That would have been inappropriate."

Jonah saw Ms. Clark's eyes widen again as he realized the spin her mind put on Kelly's words. Then that damn frown returned. Jonah wrapped his arm around Kelly's shoulders. "Come on, sweetheart. Our room is ready."

"Okay," Kelly said, gazing into his eyes with the love a real bride would have for her new husband. No, wait. That was a look of confusion. No matter. He pulled Kelly to the elevators and punched the button with his index finger. Once inside, he took her in his arms and kissed her with all the heat that had been building in him all night. To his relief, Kelly responded in kind, pushing her fingers through his hair and holding his head to hers.

When the elevator slowed and then stopped, they stepped into the hallway. Jonah checked the room number on the key card holder and turned them to the left. In her heels, Kelly had a hard time keeping up, so he swept her into his arms.

At their room, she took the key card from him and opened the door. Once inside, Jonah was certain his heart would burst from needing, from wanting, from years of unfulfilled dreams, all about to come true.

"What did that girl mean?"

"What girl?" Jonah took he shawl from her shoulders and folded it loosely on the dresser.

"The girl at the front desk. What did she mean about my not wearing white?"

"Oh, that." He emptied his pockets onto the dresser, and deftly removed a condom from his wallet. "I told her we'd just been married."

"What? Why would you do that?" Kelly moved away from his fingers that were trying to find how to unwrap her wraparound dress.

"Because she kept making judgmental noises and frowning. She made me feel guilty for bringing you here."

"So, when she noted that I wasn't wearing white she assumed that I wasn't a virgin?"

"Probably." Jonah took a step back and gazed at her. "Does that bother you? Because it damn sure bothers me that she dared make any assumptions about us."

Kelly smiled. "You of all people know that I'm not a virgin."

Jonah groaned. "Can we please not talk about that night again? And especially not now?"

Kelly smiled. "Sure, we can do that. And do I care what that little girl downstairs thinks? Not a whit. I just care what you think, Jonah. Here and now." With a flick of her wrist, the tie came loose and the dress flowed to the floor. There, standing before him in all her glory wearing only a lacy bra and little satin short-short things, was the woman of his desires.



Bio

A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex. Writing was so much fun Dee decided to keep at it. That's how she spends her days. Her nights? Well, she's lucky that her dream man, childhood sweetheart, and long-time hubby are all the same guy, and nights are their secret. For romance ranging from sweet to historical, contemporary to paranormal and more join Dee on Nomad Authors. Contact Dee at dsknight@deesknight.com.

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