Pages

The Romance Reviews

Monday, 27 January 2014

#TantalizingTuesdays - Morning Glory

Every Tuesday a bunch of talented writers choose a picture that inspires them to write a 200 word teaser. Check them out here.

This week I'm having some alone time...


Morning Glory




The mist curled around her feet as she walked. The morning sun hadn't yet breached the gloom of the forest. Some would have found it eerie, but to her, the woods were a safe haven. There was no loud traffic, no constant chatter, and best of all, no one else around. In this day and age it was difficult to find a quiet spot for any length of time before someone crashed in with their toxic barbecues, and noisy ball games. 

For now, the only sound echoing among the trees was the steady thump of her feet on the wooden walkway. She paused to listen to the soothing background noise of nature around her. The rustle of leaves falling to the ground, the first bird song high in the trees as morning broke, and the gentle ripple of water running alongside her, went some way to calming the fast beat of her heart. 

She breathed the cool, crisp, air into her lungs, wishing she could stay here forever. 

All too soon, her peace was shattered. She held her breath, afraid to move as she heard a twig snap in the distance. 

"Look, a deer!" 

And she was off and running.

Saturday, 25 January 2014

#SexySnippets


This week saw the release of Evernight Publishing's hot shifter antho, Alpha's Claim. 


My story, Extinction, is included in amongst some fabulous stories. Care to read a #SexySnippet?

Holly's first impression of Lucas had been that he was an egotistical arse, not that he was some sort of sex attacker. But what possible explanation was there for him to be here minus his clothes?
"It's not how it looks. I can explain." He got to his feet and gave a full frontal view of everything Mother Nature had bestowed upon him, and boy she was one generous lady.
"Really? Because it looks as if you broke into my house and climbed into my bed uninvited." She tried to maintain eye contact, but it was difficult when his huge penis was vying for her attention.

She waved a hand in the general direction of his manhood. "For God's sake, put that away."

Alpha's Claim is now available at Evernight Publishing, Amazon, All Romance, and Bookstrand

Check out the rest of the #SexySnippets over at The Nuthouse Scribblers blog.

Friday, 24 January 2014

Hot New Release - Alpha's Claim Anthology

I love being part of Evernight Publishing's anthologies. When they put out a call for shifter stories, I couldn't resist :D

Alpha's Claim Anthology
Blurb:
Strength. Power. Domination. 
The shifters in our Alpha's Claim anthology have one thing in common—they won't take “no” for an answer. Whether they lead packs of their own, or whether they walk a solitary path, these alphas won't let anyone stop them from claiming their women.
Lose yourself in these ten sinfully delicious love stories. After all, who could deny an Alpha’s claim?
My story in the anthology is Extinction. Here's a little snippet…

Extinction
"You have nothing to be ashamed of." The look Lucas shot her pinged Holly's nipples into points against the flimsy fabric of her nightwear.
"You saw me naked?" Regardless of whether his tale was true or not, she hated that there was a possibility he had seen her at her most vulnerable.
"I think that makes us even, don't you?" He clutched the pillow closer to his groin. She'd have to remember to put the cover in the wash tomorrow.
"So, you've seen me in the nip, and I've seen you. It's been fun, but could you please fuck off now? It's been a long day." She wanted to crawl back into bed and pretend the past twenty-four hours had never happened.
"I didn't realize losing my father's funding would cause you such hardship. I'm sorry I upset you. That wasn't my intention." He had seen her tears after all. Bugger. That put her on the back foot.
"What did you think was going to happen? That we would put the flags out and celebrate our independence? As much as I detest saying it, we rely on your contribution to fund the project here." She had to set her weapon down so she could wipe away some more stupid tears.
"I'm still trying to get over the loss of my father. I guess I was trying to make it easier on myself by cutting a lot of ties to him. Listen, do you have something I can wear? It's impossible to have a serious conversation when I'm standing here with my balls in my hand." He peered at her from under lowered lids, sounding strangely vulnerable.
Maybe he wasn't such a cold hearted bastard after all. She knew she would go completely doolally if anything happened to her parents. That still didn't make it any more appropriate for him to be stark bollock naked in her bedroom. The sooner he covered up his six-pack and that happy trail of hair dipping from his navel, the quicker she could resume hating him. She grabbed her robe from behind the bedroom door and threw it at him.
"Thanks." He dropped the pillow to catch it in both hands.
Fuck a duck! Holly tried to avert her eyes, but she could still see his junk swinging about in
her peripheral vision as he dressed. "I think I'll go put the kettle on."



#FlashFictionFriday


Every week, a fabulous group of writers take inspiration from a selected pic and write 100 words to go with it. Check them out  #FlashFictionFriday

Saffron clicked on the icon her boyfriend had tried to minimize on the laptop as she came into the room.
"What the hell is this?"
Images of an overweight, virtually naked man popped up on the screen. She knew Tom had a bit of a dodgy past he didn't like to talk about, but a fetish for portly gentlemen was definitely something they needed to address.
"I wish you hadn't seen that," he said with a sigh.
"Is there something I should know?" She feared anything that would jeopardize their relationship.

"That's what I looked like before the gastric band."

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

#ThursdayTasters


Every Thursday a group of talented writers share a sample of their awesome writing here. Check them out!

This week, I've stopped by the cosmetics counter in my wip. This is the second book in my series, The Department Store.

With grim determination, he pulled her back the way she came, not saying a word.
"Jonah? What's going on? I need to go home." The tone of her voice varied from loud, outright panic, to quiet resignation. It only succeeded in driving him on in his quest.
When they reached the pub again he dodged down the alleyway at the side. They didn't need an audience. He pushed Maggie up against the wall, careful not to hurt her, but, with enough force to stop her running again. He caged her between his body and the brick building. As she worried her bottom lip with her teeth, Jonah leaned down to catch it and draw it back out. She was soft and pliant, and her gentle scent intoxicated him further.
With a point to prove, he kissed her hard, plunging his tongue in to her mouth to taste her sweetness and claim it for himself. Such an audacious move would've deserved a slap or a knee to the balls. Either would've been worth it. Instead, she went limp beneath him, submitting immediately.
Whoah!
He levered her off and stepped back. "That is how you make me feel. How you should be kissed."

Christ, the way she responded to it made it a double sin that someone didn't do that to her frequently.

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

New Release! - Stacey Espino

Today's Hot New Release comes from the fabulous Stacey Espino :)


COWBOYS MINE by Stacey Espino

Western Menage (MFM) Romance

Releasing January 22nd from Evernight Publishing

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/cowboys-mine-by-stacey-espino

Blurb

Eva Ford lives a sheltered life on her small rural farm. At twenty-two, she feels the need to spread her wings and start her own life, planning a trip to the city to show her prized cows. Colton and North McReed from the next ranch over are determined to make sure she stays out of trouble.
Twin brothers, Colton and North, have always loved little Eva. She's their rock in life, the one pure thing in their otherwise dark existence. Their abusive father ran out on the family years ago and their mother suffers from a serious addiction. They never look at Eva with desire...until they spend a week alone with her in the city.
Everything changes when Eva and the cowboys realize just how deep their love for each other runs. Once their passion is unleashed, it's impossible to contain. But can their unorthodox relationship last? Will sex ruin the friendship of a lifetime?


Excerpt

North was ready to brawl. In fact, he craved it like never before. Pain would be preferable to the ache in his heart. Somewhere along the line he began to see Eva as more than the sweet girl next door. Somewhere along the line he’d fallen in love.
What he didn’t understand was Colton’s sudden disinterest. Their feelings for Eva always mirrored each other’s. Half the time when he’d escape to the Ford house, Colton was already there. They’d come on the trip specifically to keep Eva out of trouble, but instead, his twin was turning a blind eye.
They ate dinner in silence. North watched the sky turn from blue to black, every darkening shade bringing his anxiety to a new level. She still wasn’t back. God knows what that cowboy was doing with little Eva. The thought of his filthy hands on her made his blood boil. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could sit still with his imagination running wild.
He was just about to bolt from his seat when the door to the trailer opened. Cool air flooded the interior and the sound of Eva clearing her throat made every live wire inside him suddenly lose power. He exhaled a nervous breath, glad she was at least home safely.
“Told you I’d be back in one piece,” she said as she hung up her cardigan. “There’s no need to go hunting me down. Seriously.”
She started to climb up into the loft.
“Where’s lover boy?” asked North, no humor in his tone.
“His name is Wade, and he just dropped me off, like a perfect gentleman.”
“That why he had his lips all over you?” asked Colton. His brother was just as unimpressed, even though he’d condoned the behavior.
“Hush you!” Eva slipped under the covers.
“You haven’t eaten,” said North.
“Wade bought me dinner.”
He ground his teeth together, stifling a growl. The sound of that man’s name on Eva’s lips made him see red. If he never heard the name again it would be too soon.
They secured the trailer and turned out the lights before joining Eva in the bed. He tossed his shirt and lay down on his back, staring up at the low ceiling. She was already comfortable, obviously not feeling the volatile energy keeping him awake. He kept as far to his side as possible, the cold wall of the trailer chilling his arm. Every time she shifted in the bed, he tensed.
“I’m cold,” she murmured, cuddling closer to him. The heat of her body scorched his bare skin. In a matter of days, everything changed for him. He wasn’t sure when it happened, but he wished he could go back to the way things were. Uncomplicated.
He tried to get away from her but he was trapped in the tight confines of the sleeping area. He held his breath as she ran her palm over his chest, over and over in small circles. Her touch had always been soothing—not so much anymore.
“What’s wrong with you?” she whispered against his neck. His eyes lolled back in his head. Even her fucking breath was sweet.
“Nothing. Go to sleep, Eva.”
“You’re acting weird, North. Is this because of Wade?”
He decided the cowboy was a safer topic than his changing feelings for her. “I don’t trust him.”
“Why not?”
“Just don’t is all.” He rolled to his side and away from her. It didn’t feel right going to sleep on a sour note, but he couldn’t have this discussion now. Mrs. Ford was the one to teach him and Colton not to speak out of passion. It was always best to confront a person with a level head, after cooling off and replaying the events over in your head. He usually didn’t take the advice, but tonight felt like a good time to start.
“Will you two quiet down,” said Colton.
Eva pressed her body against his back. Why had he taken off his shirt? He needed layers between them—many, many layers.
“I know what I’m doing,” she said in a whisper. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I’d worry less if you spent more time with Bessie and Ruby than that drifter.”
“He’s not a drifter.”
“Why you defending him?” he asked. “You act like you’re already an item.”
She kissed his shoulder. “I just want you to be happy for me, North.”
“It doesn’t matter what I think.”
“It does. You’re the one who taught me how to rope a calf, and even though it took me weeks to learn, you never got impatient. You protected me when Jameson’s dogs got loose.” She ran her hand delicately down his arm, her fingers lingering over the raised scars on his forearm. “You bought me a corsage when no boy asked me to prom. Remember when the three of us danced in the rain that night? My dress was covered in mud.”
“I remember.”
“Well those are just examples of why I love you so much. It doesn’t feel right doing anything without your blessing.”
He wasn’t sure he could ever give her what she wanted.


Stacey Espino
https://www.twitter.com/staceyespino

Monday, 20 January 2014

#TantalizingTuesdays - In the Club



Every Tuesday a bunch of talented writers choose a picture that inspires them to write a 200 word teaser. Check them out here.

This week, I'm going clubbing...


"What the hell is a paint party anyway?" Kim was having second thoughts even as she reached the doors of the club.

"Like a foam party, only with glow in the dark paint." Nina bounced inside, trailing Kim behind her.

"Great. How am I supposed to make Jake see what he's missing if I look like a psychedelic drowned rat?" The whole point of coming here was to flirt in front of her ex and make him sorry for not calling her back.

"You went out for one whole week. He dumped you. Get over it, and let's have some fun." Nina was right, but what a week it had been. They'd barely left her bed.

Kim went through the motions, dancing like Jake was watching. Suddenly he was.

"Hi," he said as they were pushed together in the throng. "Sorry, I didn't call you."

"It doesn't matter." And it didn't once he started kissing her. 

As his lips captured hers, she barely noticed the paint raining down on them. The colours smudged together as they clung to one another. 

She could forgive him anything when she was in his arms. One more night with Jake was worth any pain.