Tuesday Teaser: The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke

This week's Tuesday Teaser is from The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke, which is part of the Jamesville series. Shamus is one of my favorite heroes I've ever written!

TEASER:

Shamus crowded in next to her and she was forced to widen her legs to give him room. He edged closer so that her legs were on either side of his. He was huge as he loomed over her. His large hands cupped the sides of her face as he leaned down. “You are an amazing woman, Cyndi.”

The sincerity in his voice brought tears to her eyes. This man saw only the good in her. “I wasn’t always a very nice person.” She felt the need to be honest with him.

“All that’s behind you now.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “Someday you’ll tell me why you did the things that you did.” She made a sound of protest, which he hushed by placing one finger across her lips. “When you’re ready,” he murmured, dropping soft kisses on her temple and down the line of her jaw.

She tipped her head to one side to give him better access. He made a deep rumbling sound in his chest, and she knew her action had pleased him. She wanted him to kiss her, but felt the need to protest at the same time. “Shamus, you’re so much younger than me.” That had been bothering her somewhat. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this.”

He nipped the sensitive skin at the base of her neck, making her jump. “Of course we should do this.”

Summer Heat...

I'm chatting about the summer heat and the memories it brings back from childhood over on the Samhain Blog today. Be sure to stop by and check it out.

New Cover--Damek's Redemption

Check out my awesome new cover for Damek's Redemption, coming from Samhain Publishing on October 30th!

Tuesday Teaser--Tempting Tori

There seems to be a lot of love for cowboys lately, so this week's Tuesday Teaser is from Tempting Tori. J.T. Courage is one heck of a sexy cowboy.

Tuesday Teaser:

She took a deep breath and knew immediately it was a mistake. His scent—clean male sweat, sandalwood soap, leather and hay—filled her nostrils. But below it all was the smell of J. T., the one man who had the ability to set her on fire with barely a look or a touch.

His large hands grasped her shoulders and she tilted her head back to look at him. Pale blue eyes, like lasers, pierced her very soul. He looked as tortured as she felt. Tori shook her head, not understanding.

He took the slight movement of her head as another “no” and shook her slightly. “You’re not leaving.”

Monday, Monday

A question to ponder for sure. lol I'm a vegetarian, but I've been known to indulge in animal crackers a time or two.

Up very early this morning as hubby is gone on an overnight business trip and his flight left very, very early. It's eight o'clock and I've written 2K so far this morning. Not bad, but I think I need a nap.

Hoping this is a better week for writing as this has been a very slow summer for me. Some writers can write for long stretches at a time. I find I have about two hours in me for the day and I'm usually done. The old brain won't do any more creatively. I find it fascinating how different authors work--some need quiet, others can write anywhere; some write at night, others in the morning; some can write for long stretches, while others can only write in short spurts. Personally, I'm at my best in the morning before my brain gets cluttered with other things. And I need quiet. Can't write to music as my attention gets fractured.

I try to take weekends off from writing, not that it always works out that way, but I figure if I want to keep doing this for the next twenty-plus years I need to have some kind of schedule to keep from burning out.

Authors are always working--creating new stories, writing blog posts, checking social media and yahoo groups, working on advertising and promotional items, etc... The list is long and varied and can be overwhelming at times, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love what I do and feel privleged to be able to do it. But living and working in the same space can leave you feeling like you're always working, even when you're not.

I'm thinking about taking August away from all the other distractions and concentrating solely on my writing. A lot will depend on what happens between now and the end of July. If I get my writing back on track, I'll simply keep on going as I am. But if I keep stalling, I'll probably unplug from eveything else for a while and throw myself into what I like to do best--writing!

Have a fabulous Monday.

Hmmm...now I want animal crackers. *g*

4 Stars for Touch of Topaz

Night Owl Reviews has given Touch of Topaz a 4 Star review. Here's a snippet of what reviewer, Chris, has to say.

"Another contribution to the Awakening Desires Series. I thoroughly enjoyed the alpha male that was John Knight, and look forward to his twin’s story in the future...Full of anticipation and erotically forceful sex this was a read that entertained."

Read Entire Review

It's all about perspective

So hubby and I went out for breakfast this morning to the local A & W and we got to talking about writing, which is going to happen from time to time because we're both writers. I was saying how I plan to write one more Tapestries book, but that I'm finished with the Legacy series for now.

"I have nothing left to say in that series," I foolishly said.

"What character do readers ask about most?" hubby asked.

"Damek," I replied. "And his book is coming out in October." I hesitated and said in a small voice. "They ask about Craig too, but it's a paranormal series and he's human."

"Think of what it's like for him living in that world among all those other extraordinary creatures while he's human."

"Hmm," I replied, fearing I heard the creak of the wheels starting to turn in my head.

"He's living on the fringes of that world without really being a part of it," hubby continued.

I guess it's all about perspective and hubby's comment started an entire conversation in my head and before long the ideas were flowing. We talked a while longer about other things, but as we left the restaurant I turned to him and said, "Damn you, now I'm going to have to write Craig's book."

The storyline is churning in my brain. I won't get to it until December or January at the earliest as I have two other books that HAVE to be written first. But then...then I think I'll revisit the Legacy series and Craig Lawton. Turns out, I only thought I was done with this series.

Tuesday Teaser--Embracing Silence

Embracing Silence is the first book in my futuristic Project Alpha series and was nominated for an RT Reviewer's Choice Award. Love the cover for this one.

TEASER:

She was almost through the first strap when she sensed the air behind her stirring. Silence continued to saw frantically at the restraint. He was here. He’d made no sound, and she’d been listening, but he was here. As always, she could sense his very presence, as though the air shifted and made way for him wherever he went.

“You’re resourceful.” His voice was deep and dark and raspy. His words made her shiver with dread. He didn’t sound particularly mad about her escape attempt. He didn’t sound anything at all. His total lack of emotion was more frightening than if he’d bellowed in anger.

Silence almost sobbed with relief when the leather strap gave way. She clawed at the second strap, getting it undone. Not pausing to even think about why he was allowing her to do so, she sawed at the strap around her waist. Blood from several shallow wounds on her wrist dripped down her fingers making it more difficult for her to work.

“How do you plan to get past me?” His question was thoughtful, almost as though he was curious about her intentions.

Monday, Monday

Good morning and welcome to Monday. Usually I greet the new week with a big smile and a burst of energy. I'm still smiling, but the energy is low.

Had the big family yard sale yesterday. Four families with all their junk...I mean fine collectable items...on my brothers front yard and driveway. It started out cool and cloudy, but turned into a gorgeous sunny day. Laughed a ton, ate way too much (did I mention it was also a potluck) and made a few bucks. What didn't sell is being swept off to charity this morning thanks to my SIL and her father's truck.

Seven hours in the sun left me with a bit of a sunburn (missed a few spots with the sunscreen, darn it), but nothing bad. Figure it will fade in a day or so. But the fun memories will last a lifetime. I'm already looking forward to the next one, which will probably be in a couple of years time.

Today, I'll take things a bit slower,  maybe even go to a movie. Have to see about that. Either way, I'm sure it will be a great start to the week.

Have a fabulous Monday.

Happy Friday the 13th

 

Happy Friday the 13th! I'm not superstitious about this particular day. If anything, it seems to be a good day for me. Hope it's the same for you.

Much cleaning and digging through cupboards and closets this week as I gather things for this weekend's huge family yard sale. We do it every couple of years and it's always fun. Getting rid of some old shelves so we had to go buy new ones this week. Hubby has become a whiz at putting them together. Replaced our old wicker nightstands too with new shelves. Much nicer. Hopefully, we'll do well on Sunday. Going to put the money toward a new stereo system.

Tuesday Teaser--Katie's Art of Seduction

Katie's Art of Seduction is this week's Tuesday Teaser. This is the first book in the Awakening Desires series. If you love a "beauty and the beast" style story, you'll enjoy Katie and Cain's book!

TUESDAY TEASER:

The world no longer existed. Sheltered in the dark of the trees, away from the footpaths and the lights, the night was a secluded and seductive haven. Vague sounds of traffic and the barking of a dog were nothing but dim background noise, drowned out by the pounding of her heart. For Katie, there was only Cain.

Her feet left the ground as Cain lifted her easily and moved them both deeper into the surrounding trees. Startled, Katie opened her eyes as her feet touched the ground again. Cain turned her body so that her back was against a tree, and he stood in front of her. The two of them were completely isolated from the rest of the world, as the only sounds were their breathing and the wind whistling through the tree branches.

“Trust me,” came his sorcerer’s voice from the darkness.

Week in Review

This is me lately. I'm a little scattered but that's okay, things are still getting done, albeit a bit slower than I'd like.

Let's see, in the past week or so I've finished rewriting one of my WIP's (Sapphire's Seduction) and have it ready to print off for hubby to read. I'm currently about halfway through the rewrite of another WIP. Once that's done (hopefully by the end of the week) I'll print that one off too. I'm hoping to submit both to my editors before the end of the month.

Getting ready for a family yard sale at my brother's place this coming weekend. Once every two years we all come together to hold a multi-family sale so I've been tearing the apartment apart, going through cupboards and closets finding things to sell and trashing other items. (It's amazing how many boxes I had stored away for things we no longer own.)

Bought new shelves to replace old wicker nightstands in the bedroom. Love them. Will probably replace shelving in the office too. It's old and cheap and I'm ready for a change.

Went to a movie by myself for the very first time on Saturday. It was weird to realize I'd never gone to one by myself before. When I was a kid I went with friends. I met hubby when I was eighteen and we've been going to movies together ever since. But he was busy Saturday afternoon with work so I took myself to see Magic Mike. Dancing was fantastic. Plot...not so much.

That's a brief wrap up of the past week. Hopefully, this week will be a productive one.

Have a good one!

Book of the Week--Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter

I'm a fan of Gena Showalters' Lords of the Underworld series, so when I saw the first book of her new Angels of the Dark series--a spinoff of the Lords of the Underworld series, I knew I had to give it a try.

Wicked Nights kicks off the new series and it was an interesting read. Showalter creates new mythologies with every series she writes and draws you into her fascinating world. I like Annabelle. This is a kickass heroine who is not afraid to fight evil when it finds her. Zacharel is an imperfect angel fighting for not only his own life, but the lives of the other angels in his army.

I enjoyed Wicked Nights and will definitely be checking out book two of this series. If you like paranormals with something different, you should really check out Wicked Nights.

BLURB:

Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed too dangerous, too ruthless, and if he isn’t careful, he’ll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred . . . until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he’s never before known.

Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation—or her ultimate damnation?

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Happy July 4th!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL MY FRIENDS IN THE USA!

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY FILLED WITH FUN, FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

FREE E-Book for Limited Time

My very first book, and the first book in the Summersville Secrets trilogy, Annabelle Lee is now available for FREE for a limited time! If you've never tried it before, now is your chance!

BLURB:

By day Annabelle Lee is a perfect small town librarian, with loose-fitting dresses and hair scrunched up in a tight bun. But at night, lying in her lonely bed, her sensuality emerges in scorching, erotic dreams about Mike Sloan.

Annabelle's not the only one with a few fantasies. Mike has been dreaming of stripping her out of her prim clothing and getting her into his bed, and when the opportunity arises, he grabs at the chance. Soon they're heating up the sheets, and each other, with steamy sexual interludes.

While Annabelle is luxuriating in their no-strings secret affair, Mike is longing for something more permanent—like exploring the exhilarating heights of passion as man and wife.

July/August Newsletter Now Available!

I hope you're all enjoying a beautiful July 1st!

The July/August 2012 issue of Awakening Desires—the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters—is now available.

Be sure to check out all the latest news, contests, my husband’s popular column—Confessions of a Romance Author’s Husband—an excerpt, and this month’s interview with the extremely talented Emmy Ellis! (aka Sarah Master, Natalie Dae, M.E. Ellis and Charley Oweson)

As always, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. All you have to do to be eligible to win is go to Awakening Desires Newsletter and join. While you’re there, you can check out back issues of the newsletter.