An Unexpected Meeting...of Lips

Have you ever encountered a moment where, in space of a heartbeat, fear grabbed you, then a kiss stopped you in your tracks?

 

That happened to Branna Lind in Bayou Born with the man assigned by the college vice president to mentor her. A kiss was the last thing she expected from James.

An excerpt from Bayou Born...

“Oh, Lord! If Momma could see me now.” She laughed, not caring who might hear her over the din of voices and piped-in muzak.

With James in the lead, their hands linked, she followed him toward their seats. Someone behind her bumped her hard. She gasped. Fell forward into James, almost sending him forward. She struggled to right herself with the rowdy crowd pushing all around her. Tremors of fear raced through her mind as she started to slip toward the floor. Panicked, she clawed at James’ back.

James turned on a dime. Grabbed her, protected her from falling. He sheltered her from the crushing crowd, and held her steady as she caught her breath. The crowd parted around them as though they were a large boulder in the middle of a fast moving river. Shaken, she clung to him, then blinked when he leaned in and kissed her.

His mouth was warm.

Heat and quivers raced all the way to her toes.

Wrapping his arm around her, he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” Then he wrapped her in an embrace, rested his hand on her hip, and guided her back to their spot at the bar.

Shocked by the kiss, a touch so light and quick that it appeared and disappeared so fast she could have dreamt it. She touched a finger to her lips. They were still warm where his lips had been.

“Who’s going to protect me from you?” she whispered.

I invite you to share the journey of Branna and James in Bayou Born, book one of the Fleur de Lis series. It’s available through:

 

AMAZON / BARNES&NOBLE / KOBO / ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS / BOOKSTRAND

Please visit me at my website - www.linda-joyce.com

Or my blog - www.lindajoycecontemplates.wordpress.com

 

Happy Reading!
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Linda Joyce

Sharon Struth and The Hourglass!

It is with the utmost delight I host my dear friend and fellow agency mate, Sharon Struth, at Tattered Pages today! She brings with her a bit about her writing career, as well as a snippet from her lastest release The Hourglass. I've got this one loaded on my Kindle, Sharon, and can't wait to read it!

~ * ~ 

Novelist Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream. The Hourglass, her debut novel, received first place in the Dixie Cane Memorial Contest and second place in the Golden Heart. She writes from the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut, along with her husband, two daughters and canine companions. For more information, including where to find her published essays, please visit http://www.sharonstruth.com.

Let's start by learning a little bit about you, Sharon, the author. For instance, how did your writing career begin?

After over twenty-five years in accounting, I grabbed the brass ring and decided to pursue a new career. Sorry for the cliché, but I truly believe life really is too short to let my fears stop me from a dream. For the past five years, I’ve pursued this craft every single day. I’m no longer afraid and so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.

Yay! I love that. Writing is, at it's utmost basic level, about letting go of our fears. Okay, so, since you mentioned comfort zones (heh, heh), tell us what heat level you prefer to write. In your books should folks expect that bedroom door to be open or closed?
I love the tension created when two people are attracted to each other. Playful banter or a subtle brush of knees while sitting close, the tiny details that make me crave more for these characters. When they do get physical, a savored kiss and meaningful caress is definitely in order. I’ll take you right into the bed, but then give my characters a little privacy.

Excellent. So tell us a little about The Hourglass. Of the characters you created in that story, which one is your favorite and why?
In The Hourglass, it’s CJ Morrison. CJ intrigued me and surprised me while writing this story. I knew he was rough on the surface. In the process of writing this, he slowly revealed how the curmudgeonly act and abruptness hid a softer caring man. A man who wants to be a better person. A loyal man. A man who’d do anything for someone he loves. I think we all know someone who—on the outside—might have an edge. Yet I’m a believer that it sometimes takes getting to know somebody to see their real soul.

Agreed. And I love the unfolding of the character throughout the book, coming to know them as a reader. CJ sounds like a keeper to me! Speaking of reading, who would you say is your favorite author and why?
My reading tastes run on the eclectic side (much like my decorating tastes). Jennifer Weiner makes me laugh; Jodi Picoult pulls me a world without warning and wows me with her prose; Harlan Coben writes first lines that blow my socks off and keeps me flipping through the pages wanting answers.
 

LOL I'm cracking up about the decorating. Me too! Okay, so what about your husband? Has he ever read your work? And if so, what was his reaction?

Yes and no. One of the things I love about asking my husband, Bill, to read my work is that he’s completely honest. One of the things I hate about asking him is that he’s completely honest!

The truth is, I’m lucky to be married to a man who cares enough to give me truthful feedback. Prior to publication, he had only read a few scenes from The Hourglass. On the day it was released, I’d gone out. When I came home I asked if he saw my book up on Amazon. He turned his tablet around so I could see the screen and said, “I’m reading it.” I was shocked and thrilled. So far, he’s only had good comments.
 
Wow! That's so cool. Good for him...and for you, too! LOL Give me the five top words your best friends would use to describe you.
Chatty. Funny. Sensible. Hard working. Did I say chatty?

LOL It's no wonder you and I get along so well, Sharon. My kids always groan when I start conversations with complete strangers in the grocery store. :-)

And now for a sneak peek inside THE HOURGLASS!

Can forgiveness survive lies and unspoken truths?

Until Brenda McAllister’s husband committed suicide, she appeared to have the ideal life: a thriving psychology practice, success as a self-help author, and a model family. But her guilt over her affair with Jack’s best friend prevents her from moving on. Did Jack learn of her infidelity? Was she the cause of his death?

The release of Brenda’s second book forces her into an unexpected assignment with arrogant celebrity author CJ Morrison, whose irritating and edgy exterior hides the torment of his own mistakes. But as she grows closer to CJ, Brenda learns she wasn’t the only one with secrets—Jack had secrets of his own, unsavory ones that may have led to his death. While CJ helps Brenda uncover the truth about her husband, she finds the path to forgiveness isn’t always on the map.

Excerpt:

Somehow her goal of indifference toward this man had gone into hiding. Determined to fix the added damage she’d just done, she straightened her shoulders, softened her tone, and smiled. “Double-fisted drinker, huh?”

He cut his eyes in her direction and evaluated her with suspicion. “One’s for Autumn.”

Brenda chortled out loud as a Shirley Temple-drink wisecrack jumped from her brain to the tip of her tongue. About to open her mouth, she halted the comment when CJ narrowed his gaze.

“Listen.” Brenda’s tone became more affable. “We’ll have to work together pretty soon. I’m thinking we should clear the air.”

“Really? Well, I’d say you’re itching for a fight.”

For a brief second, she pondered the notion that he might be right. Had CJ’s earlier grumpiness offered an excuse to funnel untapped anger over Jack’s abrupt departure? Anger she’d kept bottled inside for the past year? “No. Just conversation.” She used as much sincerity as she could muster.

He surveyed her, then shook his head. “My Aussie grandmother used to call me a larrikin when I acted like you.”

“What’s a larrikin?”

“Depends on how it’s used.” He cast a scorn-laden glance in her direction.

The bartender placed two cognacs in front of CJ, who pulled a twenty from his pocket and handed it to him.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

The bartender returned with his change.

“Look it up.” CJ pocketed the bills, then lifted the drinks. His mouth curved into an I-got-the-last-word-this-time smirk and he walked away.

~ * ~

Discover more about Sharon Struth here:

Blogs at "Life in the Middle Ages" http://www.sharonstruth.wordpress.com

FacebookAuthor Page

THE HOURGLASS Webpage and Trailer: www.thehourglassnovel.com

AMAZON / BARNES&NOBLE / ALLROMANCEEBOOKS / KOBO

 

THANKS FOR VISITING WITH US TODAY!

XO AJ XO

Mom's Day Snippet Sunday!

Morning Y'all and Happy Mother Day's to the Snippet Sunday Moms!!

I didn't post last week because my blog was under construction...so? What do you think? Isn't it purdy? I've got two releases coming out this fall, and in an effort to brand myself (a job I have avoided for as long as humanly possible) I recently redesigned both my blog and website. You can see my website here if you want:  http://www.ajnuest.com  :-)

For today's snippet, I'm going to pick up two weeks ago where I left off. Caedmon and Rowena were in the forest, surrounded by fog, and she was...exploring his body? I'm skipping ahead just a bit to what happens next.

~* ~ 



A twig snapped.

Caedmon froze, his focus riveted to hers, muscles coiled and tense under her palm. Irritation hardened his features, quickly chased by thin-lipped fear.

Dammit, they’d been found. But by who?

The answer leapt into Caedmon’s eyes. Doesn’t matter. A garrison of Sievere’s men is too great a risk to ignore. Fight now, reason later…or prepare to be arrested…mayhap worse.

She nodded and pressed against him, but he tightened his grip, keeping her in place. He slowly tipped his head toward the pile of weapons he’d left near his saddlebags. She jerked her chin in the opposite direction, indicating her intent to head for the forest. If they were about to be attacked, her best offense would be to see without being seen. Use the fog to transform her into a lethal phantom, striking within the cover of trees.

 

~ * ~





Want more? Be sure to check out other great writers by clicking the links below: 

If you’re a writer (either published or unpublished) join the fun and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.
Participating Authors can be found at these sites: Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
If you leave me a comment, I'll be sure to recriprocate!



The Boys of DownCrash are Here!

Please welcome London Casey to Tattered Pages, who brings to us a New Adult Contemporary Romance, The Stronger, Safer Kind, Book I in The Boys of DownCrash series. Those of you who know me, also know what I sucker I am for rockstar romances (I did marry a guitar player, after all), so it's no surprise when London contacted me, I jumped at the chance to showcase this series.

Here's a peek at what awaits inside the first book in this series! (And by the way, I'm lovin this cover, London. Super cool!)

DownCrash is the band in my newest new adult romance series titled The Boys of DownCrash.  They’re a three piece band and each band member gets their own book.

The series came to me after seeing a couple local bands playing shows and seeing how dedicated their local fan bases were.  Not to mention getting to know some of the band members… and maybe perhaps I, too, play an instrument or three and have a few stories of my own to share.  ;)

Tripp – in the first book (The Stronger, Safe Kind), readers get to meet Tripp.  He’s got attitude, tattoos, and a big heart. From the second he and Scarlett see each other, there’s a connection. But Scarlett is struggling with her own heart after the confession from her close friend, Andy, when he gets drunk and says he loves her.  Andy can give Scarlett an easy life but Tripp’s past and his deepest secrets could possibly be enough to get Scarlett to open up about her hidden past too.

Tatum – the super sexy drummer. He’s tall. No tattoos. But he has piercings. His lip…and somewhere else. When Tatum starts fooling around Scarlett’s roommate, Maggie, things get hot and heavy pretty quick. But then things start to unravel when someone from Maggie’s past comes back, demanding a chance at her future. This isn’t just love and it isn’t just romance…this could possibly mean life and death.

Logan – the quiet but hot bassist. In his book, Logan finally gets a chance to open up. He meets Maggie’s best friend from high school, Annie, and the last thing he’s looking for is a romance. But he can’t help it…he can’t help falling for her…but then fate steps in and Logan feels he’s in the middle of a cruel game.

In creating this band, I had the opportunity to create three different guys and their lives and all that comes with being in a band and what happens after the shows are over. I hope everyone enjoys this trilogy and continues reading beyond The Boys of DownCrash!

Reader can find The Boys of DownCrash here:  Amazon

London Casey is the author of the new adult romance series, The Boys of DownCrash. London has also written the paranormal new adult romance, Hurt Like HELL. Follow on Twitter @london_casey or at www.LondonCasey.com. When not writing, London listens to random music and thinks of more to write about. 

Twitter @london_casey

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LondonCaseyAuthor

Site www.LondonCasey.com

SOUL TAKER BY KAREN M. NUTT!

Like stories about vampires? Then this is the one for YOU!

Check out SOUL TAKER by Karen Michelle Nutt

No soul is safe…

A vampire from the Grim Sith sept is sucking the souls out of young women from the Boston area, but this sinister crime is far worse than a vampire seeking substance. He’s selling the souls to the highest bidder and it seems business is booming.

A vampire, a werewolf and a Necromancer, are a most unlikely team, but Garran, Harrison and Isabella plan on putting a kink in the dubbed Soul Taker’s plans. It’s personal now. One of their friends has fallen victim to the Soul Taker’s charms, but to stop him from hurting anyone else, their efforts may involve raising the dead.
 

~ * ~

The night awakened everything dark and foreboding, allowing them to walk among the humans. Garran MacLaurin would be considered such a creature, though with practice he learned to control his unusual appetite to destroy everything in his wake.

From the shadows, Garran watched Isabella Lucci lock her car, the beep of the alarm echoing in the hospital's carport. She wore a tan long-sleeve shirt with jeans, which looked tailored to fit her trim figure, and designer boots. She turned to go toward the hospital entrance, but something caught her attention. Her feet stilled. Her gaze turned toward him and apprehension crossed her delicate features. She took a hesitant step in his direction, clutching her purse like a lifeline. She scanned the parking lot, searching… For what? He stood still and waited. Finally, she turned and continued inside the hospital.

He would have to be careful. Isabella hadn't seen him, but he knew without a doubt she sensed him. Rare for a human to sense the preternatural world, but then again, if Harrison was correct in his assumptions, Miss Lucci could raise the dead. Garran waited a respected few minutes so not to run into Miss Lucci. Then he too, entered the hospital.

~ * ~

 

Karen Michelle Nutt resides in California with her husband, three fascinating children, and houseful of demanding pets. Jack, her Chorkie, is her writing buddy and sits long hours with her at the computer.

Her Book, Lost in the Mist of Time, was nominated for New Books Review Spotlight Best Fantasy Book of the Year Award 2006. A Twist of Fate was a nominee for Best Time Travel P.E.A.R.L. Award for 2008. Creighton Manor won Honorable Mention P.E.A.R.L. Award 2009.

Her new passion is creating book covers for Western Trail Blazers and Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing. In her spare time, she reviews books for PNR-Paranormal Romance Reviews.

Whether your reading fancy is paranormal, historical or time travel, all her stories capture the rich array of emotions that accompany the most fabulous human phenomena—falling in love.

Soul Taker by Karen Michelle Nutt
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Karen's Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Soul Taker on Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

THANKS FOR STOPPING AT TATTERED PAGES!

XO AJ XO

 

Yummy Snippet Sunday with Caedmon Austiere

Welcome to another installment of Snippet Sunday, y'all. I'm feeling saucy today so I'm gonna pick up right where I left off last week...Rowena waking near Caedmon at their foggy campsite, after she places her icy palm on his stomach and he flinches. For the added visual, I've included a photo of Caedmon (Theo Theodoridis). I know. You can thank me later. Oh, and don't worry. The post will be up all day. Come back as often as you wish.

~ * ~

A girl had to wonder. Would the rest of his body afford the same enticement she’d found in his arms last night? Would it be as endowed as the blunt-tipped fingers he’d thrust through her hair? The opportunity for discovery was too tempting to resist.

 

The downy hair near his waistband gave way to a smooth expanse of sultry skin as she glided her palm higher, exploring the landscape of deeply grooved muscle in his chest and abs. Over one thickly toned pec and she cupped the curve of his shoulder, trailed her fingertips along his collar bone to the shallow dip in the base of his throat. His pulse vibrated through the thin skin and the hair on her nape tingled in anticipation. A heady pulse of arousal heated and moistened the inner folds between her thighs. A slow journey with her fingertips along his second collar bone and she continued her languid perusal, lightly dragging her nails down to the sweet circle of his left nipple.

It is just me or is in hot in here?

~ * ~

If you’re a writer (either published or unpublished) join the fun and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.
Participating Authors can be found at these sites: Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
If you leave me a comment, I'll be sure to recriprocate!

Embrace the Darkness with Lilly Gayle!

I'm thrilled to have fellow Rose and the uber-talented Lilly Gayle visiting Tattered Pages today! She's here with a sneak peek inside her latest release, Embrace the Darkness. This one sounds DE-LISH! For all vampire fans out there, be sure to check out Lilly's blurb and excerpt after the interview!

Hi Lilly! I'm so glad you're here today. To start out our interview, why don't you tell us how your writing career began.

My 8th grade teacher, Miss Patricia Black asked the class to write a story using our spelling words. I filled up a spiral notebook. I wrote all that year and into the summer. Then, I entered high school, and writing stories seemed like a childish pursuit. But during my senior year, I fell in love with reading and writing, thanks to two other special teachers, Mrs. Joy B. Averette and Mrs. Marguerite Stem. I started reading and writing again. I joined the high school literary club. I even entered and won a writing competition on citizenship. But life soon got in the way. College. Marriage. Children. I still dreamed of writing, but it seemed like too much trouble. Then in 1995, my husband bought our first computer and told me to stop dreaming and start writing. We still didn't have internet then, but I started writing stories for my two daughters. It wasn't until 1997 that I decided to write romance. My dedication waxed and waned over the years, but thirteen years later, The Wild Rose Press published my first book, Out of the Darkness. My latest release, Embrace the Darkness is the sequel to OTD and the second book in what I hope will be a four or five book series.

Me too! These stories sound outstanding! So while crafting these most excellent romances of yours, do you stick to one sub-genre or write across lines?

I cross the lines. I write paranormal and historical. My historical books are all set in the Victorian Era, but one is a western, one is set in New York, and one is set in England.

I love, love, love Victorian Era romance! So when a reader cracks the spine on one of your babies, what should they expect for heat level? Do you keep that bedroom door open or closed?

In writing, I open the bedroom door all the way, but I've never crossed certain boundaries. There are just certain terms for body parts I don't use. Nothing that starts with a "C." lol! I've read books across the romance genre from inspirational and sweet to books far racier than the ones I write. But I don't read erotica. IMHO, BDSM and/or ménage is not romance. It's sexual fantasy and to each his/her own.

Gotcha! So, talk to me a bit about self-publication. Have you ever considered venturing into this area of publishing?

I have and did. My western historical, Helpless Hearts is self pubbed. My brother did the cover and the book trailer. He also did the book trailers for my paranormal romances. (book trailers available here <--CLICK THIS WORD)

Oh, how cool. I didn't know that! You've been holding out on me! LOL  I'm gonna go check it out! What about your reading preferences? You mentioned no erotica above. What’s on your nightstand (or downloaded onto your Kindle) right now?

Oh, wow! There are so many great books on my eReader right now. I wish I had more time to read. I just finished a book by Dean Koontz that I downloaded over a year ago. I did get a chance to read a good but extremely short story by Donna Steele in the doctor's office waiting room a few weeks back. Now, I understand why such short stories are so popular. It was a lot better than flipping through a year old magazine while I waited. I'm also currently reading two WIP's by two different critique partners. So, I'm always reading something. I just wish I had time to read more.

I hear you there, sistah! Never enough hours in the day.

And NOW FOR THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!

Here's a peek inside Embrace the Darkness!

An experimental vaccine gives vampire Gerard Delaroche hope for the first time in two centuries—until two people are brutally murdered, and he suspects a conspiracy between vampires and mortals. To solve the crime, he must put his trust in a beautiful detective. But is former soldier and MP turned detective, Amber Buckley, a threat to his existence? Or the answer to his prayers?

 

Amber Buckley and her partner are assigned to do follow up interviews in the Lifeblood of America slayings. Amber believes she and Reid are just new eyes on a cold case. That is, until she meets Gerard Delaroche. Something about him teases long-buried memories Amber would rather not chase. However, the two join together, falling into more than resoulationg of a murder case. It seems Amber has come dark secrets of her own.

 

To find their way into the light, Amber and Gerard must first EMBRACE THE DARKNESS.

 

~ * ~

He rolled his eyes and huffed. “Stop pretending ignorance. You know what I am.”

“A vampire. Really?” She wanted to scoff, but a chill shivered over her skin. He wasn’t dead. And she’d shot him.

Maybe he was wearing Kevlar. But wouldn’t Kevlar show through that tight-fitting shirt?

Perhaps not. Still, there had to be a logical explanation.

Ignoring the warning bells clanging inside her skull, she shoved the Glock back in its holster and reached for the beer she’d deposited on the counter. She took another long, hard pull on the bottle, hoping to douse irrational thoughts.

Gerard inhaled sharply. His eyes devoured her.

Despite renewed fear, she managed to set the bottle back on the counter without dropping it.

He’s not a vampire. He’s not a vampire. He’s not a vampire.

“I’d give anything to drink beer again,” he said in a reverent voice.

Amber nearly laughed aloud. Her shoulders sagged. Gerard Delaroche wasn’t a vampire, and he didn’t want to drink her blood. He wanted a beer. Like a normal guy.

Hell, he probably was normal. She was the one off her rocker.

“Want one?” She forced herself to meet his intense stare.

He smiled. “Can’t. Vampire. Remember?”

Like that was something a girl could forget. It wasn’t every day a hot guy claimed to be a vampire.

Hell, maybe he was a vampire. The man could stop bullets with his chest.

He took a hesitant step closer. She stiffened and took another cautious swallow of beer. He stopped three feet away. Good. Sexy and crazy was a dangerous combination.

 

Oooo! This one sounds sooooo good! LOL

 

Looking to find out more about Lilly and her books? Here's where you can find her on the web (just click the links):

 

WEBSITE, BLOG, AMAZON, FACEBOOK, TWITTER

 

THANKS FOR VISITING TATTERED PAGES!

XO AJ XO