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Sunday Snippet – Crossing The Line – Listen to Me
It’s Sunday Snippet time. This week’s bite-sized excerpt is from my upcoming release, CROSSING THE LINE. When you’re done here, head over to see the full list of participating Weekend Writing Warriors.
Last week, Derrick Sutter was trying to sneak a peek at his bride-to-be before the ceremony. In doing so, he overheard something nobody wants to hear right before their wedding. I know some of you wondered who said the dreaded words at the end of last week’s snippet…
“It’s not too late to call it off.” Mrs. Collins’ voice, in its usual, judgmental tone.“Mom, please.”
“Hanna, you need to listen to me.”
All the muscles in Derrick’s body seized. If anybody walked out of one of these second-floor rooms, he was fucked. Because he couldn’t move. All he could do was listen, same as the woman he loved had just been ordered to do.
Thanks for stopping by — I hope you’ll check back next week for another snippet.
Crossing the Line
Derrick can’t give his wife the thing her biological clock wants, but he can give her what her very healthy libido craves—a threesome. Of the two guys, one girl variety. And he knows just who to invite as their third.
Ten years ago, Hanna danced with two guys at a bar. The one she went home with became her husband, a man who still brings love, lust and adventure to her life, daily. When Derrick suggests inviting the other man, his longtime best friend, Jeremy, along for a sexy weekend getaway, Hanna can’t help worrying. Nor can she resist what will undoubtedly be the hottest birthday party ever.
Everything would’ve been fine if they’d had their fun that weekend, then gone back to normal.
But they didn’t. And things will never be the same—for any of them.
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A.S. Fenichel’s Alaskan Exposure
Today, I’m fortunate to have one of my very good friends visiting. I met A.S. Fenichel at the RWA National Conference in NYC in the summer of 2011. During our random meeting at a panel discussion about digital publishing, she received the cover for her very first book via email. Fast forward two years, Andrea has 9 book covers on her website! Including this pretty one, for her brand-new release, ALASKAN EXPOSURE.
Welcome, Andrea!
Hi Karla, I’m so happy to be here to talk about my new release, Alaskan Exposure. This is my first contemporary romance and I’m really excited about it. I got the idea while on my own Alaskan cruise. My husband and I went on an anniversary trip last year and had the most amazing time. Alaska is stunningly beautiful and so was the first officer on the ship. We met him when we took a tour of the bridge. He was so good looking I could barely speak. Good thing my husband had a lot of technical questions about the ship. He even asked questions about becoming a career merchant marine. YUM! I took it all in, made a few mental notes (mostly about his beautiful blue eyes) and by the time we left the ship, I had the makings of a new book in my head. Now that’s what I call a working vacation. J
I’m happy to share the back cover blurb and a short excerpt here today. If anyone has any questions about Alaskan Exposure, the book or the cruise, I’d love to hear from you. I’m also going to be chatting on Writer’s Space tonight with some other wonderful writers from 9:00 – 10:00 ET if anyone would like to join me for a real time chat.
Excerpt:
Charley headed to the designated area in front of the forward elevator bank on deck eight. In case a good shot availed itself, she kept her camera bag with her. She reached inside the specially made backpack and felt her way to the camera sling. Her Canon EOS 5D Mark III was at the top and she dug for the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens and its EW-83F hood. Her hand wrapped around it and pulled it from its snug memory foam compartment. She walked up the one deck from their cabin while attaching the lens best suited for close, low-light shots.
Even only having seen that small percentage of the ship, she had to admit it was not at all cramped or claustrophobic. When she saw an officer talking to a group of passengers, she immediately clicked off a few pictures. He was tall. His chest and shoulders filled out the white uniform and he smiled easily at the three women who peppered him with questions while batting their eyelashes shamelessly. The youngest of the three looked to be at least ten years older than the sailor.
Charley zoomed in on his bright blue eyes and neatly cropped dark, curly hair. He seemed genuinely interested in what the women were saying. If she had to guess, the handsome officer must have known the passengers. She clicked several more pictures.
His eyes turned toward her. There was a moment of surprise, followed by a slow, private smile. Inside her lens he was so close he penetrated her comfort zone. Charley felt her cheeks flush and she took the camera away from her face.
He’d caught her with her hand in the cookie jar. She’d invaded his privacy and he smiled warmly across the expanse of blue carpet. But he didn’t look the least bit offended. Normally she asked people if she could photograph them, though spontaneous pictures always turned out better. Making a conscious effort to slow her heart and ignore her embarrassment, she felt her cheeks cool slightly.
The officer said his polite goodbyes to the ladies and walked over to Charley. “Miss Ballantine?”
“Yes.” Immediately her cheeks flushed again. He smelled of a musky cologne, soap and man. What the hell was wrong with her? She shook herself out of her mesmerized state. “I’m Charlene Ballantine, sorry I’m late.”
He frowned for an instant. “I was told Charley.”
Her cheeks were on fire and her heart beat so hard that it was a wonder he didn’t comment on the infernal noise. “Charley is fine.”
He held out his hand. “I’m Kyle Macintyre, the ship’s first officer. I’m assigned the task of showing you the bridge. The captain asked that I tell you what you may and may not do while aboard.”
“They sent me a list of dos and don’ts.” Her voice was a bit steadier.
There was that smile again. “Yes, I’m sure the line sent you a laundry list, but since you’re not part of the crew and you have had no shipboard training, Captain Cristou likes to make certain they’ll be no trouble.”
She nodded dumbly, intoxicated by the deep, warm sound of his voice. “Who were those women?”
If the question surprised him he didn’t show it. “Mrs. Jones and her two daughters. They’re taking a family vacation.”
“Do you know them?”
He cocked his head to one side. “I just met them. Why do you ask?”
She shrugged, wishing she could keep her mouth shut. She supposed the question was out of context, but she was curious. “It looked as if you knew them.”
Turning the digital display on her camera around, she showed him the pictures she’d taken. He stood very close as she scrolled through the dozen shots she snapped while he was unaware. Her shoulder brushed against his arm.
The warmth of his body spread through her as if she were standing too close to a furnace. She’d lost her mind. That was the only explanation. Since her divorce, men had been the last thing she wanted. She’d spent a year in therapy trying not to think of them as the enemy and she’d made progress. She’d even gone on a couple of dates that hadn’t ended in disaster. But this sailor had an effect on her that none of the men she’d come in contact with had. Her pulse was tripping wildly and she thought running away would be a great idea. In fact, better to get as far away from Kyle Macintyre as possible. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.
He smiled brightly. “It does. You know, I’ve been doing this for so long, I’ve just learned that on a short cruise you don’t have much time to get to know people. I make friends quickly.”
She took a step away from his arousing scent and warm body.
“I’ll bet you do.” Sarcasm dripped from her words. She thought of looking around to see if her mother was behind her. No, it had been her. Shit.
He frowned, but was still so gorgeous she could barely look at him. “I think I should be insulted by the way you said that, Miss Ballantine, but I’m going to reserve my reaction until I know you better.”
About A.S. Fenichel
A.S. Fenichel gave up a successful career in New York City to follow her husband to Texas and pursue her lifelong dream of being a professional writer. She’s never looked back.
A.S. adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and staying up all night to finish a good story.
Multi-published in erotic paranormal, historical romance and now erotic contemporary, A.S. has 6 books currently available and two more underway with Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
Originally from New York, she grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in the East Texas with her real life hero, her wonderful husband. When not reading or writing she enjoys cooking, travel, history, and puttering in her garden.
Connect with her online:
Website ♦ Blog ♦ Facebook ♦ Twitter ♦ Goodreads
Google ♦ Pinterest ♦ Amazon ♦ Ellora’s Cave
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Sunday Snippet – Crossing the Line – I Do, or…
Sunday Snippet time! As always, pop over to the Weekend Writing Warriors site for the complete list of participants.
Today’s eight sentences are from the first page of CROSSING THE LINE, which releases November 18th. Less than two weeks left to wait!
Last week, Derrick was battling with his tie as he got ready for his wedding day, and his best buddy posed a cryptic question. Today, we’re following Derrick as he goes in search of the bride-to-be.
Thanks to the ultra-plush carpeting that ran through the house, nobody heard him climbing the stairs. Or walking down the hall toward the last door on the left, Hanna’s old bedroom. He’d have been happy to make things legal at some chapel in Niagara Falls, where she’d made him the happiest man alive by accepting his proposal. But deny Hanna the pretty, garden wedding she’d dreamed about and deserved? No way. So here they were. And here he was, three steps from his bride-to-be’s half-open door.
“It’s not too late to call it off.”
That’s the mock-up of the print edition cover. So exciting!
You know what else would be exciting? If you added CROSSING THE LINE to your Goodreads shelves! 😉
Thanks for visiting! I hope you’ll stop by next week for another snippet. 🙂
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Author Cara Bristol Talks About “Breeder”
Today, I have the lovely and talented Cara Bristol visiting. Cara is the author of the successful “Rod & Cane Society” domestic discipline series, published by Loose-Id. She also has standalone paranormal and contemporary erotic romances in her ever-growing backlist.
Ms. Bristol’s newest release is BREEDER, a sci-fi erotic romance. Let me say upfront, I’m not much of a science-fiction reader. That said, I knew from the first snippet Cara posted from BREEDER, that I had to read it. The premise hooked me immediately. As did the tone of the story. And the hero. I read BREEDER last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great writing, great world building, riveting characters and story. You can read my 5-star review here. Add it to your TBR list, then bump it to the top.
Gorgeous cover, isn’t it?
Before we get to the Q & A, I need to say Congratulations! BREEDER is currently ranked #5 in the science-fiction romance category on Amazon! Woohoo! Now, without further delay, welcome back, Cara!
Karla Doyle: You’ve written contemporary and paranormal, why did you decide to write a science fiction erotic romance?
Cara Bristol: First, thank you so much for having me today. You’ve always been hugely supportive! I chose science fiction because the story couldn’t be told any other way. The spark of the idea for Breeder—and I want to be clear it was the spark and not the actual story because that changed—was of a society in which the law made women sexual slaves. (Sexy fantasy, horrific reality). Although many countries today still treat women as chattel, nowhere on this planet in this day and age does the law sell women into slavery (that I know of anyway). So Breeder had to be science fiction.
Karla: How did the story deviate from your original concept?
Cara: There IS sex in the story, but Breeder evolved from a sexual slavery fantasy to a story about changing values and perceptions. Imagine if everything you were taught about the world, your core beliefs, was wrong. Planet Parseon is a truly a “man’s world.” Men rule and women have no power or value other than as “breeders”. Men partner with other men for sex and companionship. To consort with a woman for pleasure is to debase one’s self. Hero Dak, one of the highest rulers of his planet and the living embodiment of the law deeming women worthless, purchases a breeder to produce his progeny. Mating is supposed to be a dispassionate, perfunctory act, but he falls in love. His love for his breeder jeopardizes their lives, his rule, and the political stability of the entire planet.
Karla: You’re known for your spanking romances, the Rod and Cane Society domestic discipline series. I already know the answer to this, of course, but is there spanking in Breeder?
Cara: Yes, there is a domestic discipline element to this story and spanking occurs, but I wouldn’t categorize Breeder as a spanking romance, because the story isn’t about a naughty woman being spanked—it’s about a man and woman struggling against incredible odds to be together. I took some risks in this story by writing about DD spanking and actual hardcore violence in the same story. I trust readers to discern the difference. Parseon is a world ruled by violent men, and what happens reflects that “reality.”
Karla: How does the novel reflect your view of the world?
Cara: This is my wild ass theory: whether a result of genetics, culture, or a combination of both, men and woman think and act differently. In general—of course there are exceptions—men are aggressive and competitive. Women are passive, submissive. Historically, men have been the drivers, the innovators, the explorers with sometimes positive, but often destructive results. Women have been the builders of relationships, the keepers of the home, the glue that holds the world together as men charge full steam ahead. Women provide a mitigating, civilizing influence. Imagine a society in which men have no connection to family or home—where they have nothing personal at risk. That’s the world of Parseon. In Breeder, I remove the female influence and give a glimpse of what the world might be like if men ruled unchecked.
Karla: Interesting. So…it’s a feminist story?
Cara: Exactly. But that story is told between the lines. The main story of Breeder is the romance between hero Dak and heroine Omra.
Karla: What things inspired or influenced you in writing this book?
Cara: Oh gosh. Besides my beliefs about the differences between men and women, I drew inspiration from so many things: the “grayness” of communism such as the stark cement blocks that pass for housing in the former Soviet Union and the drabness of the Mao suit; genocide by the Nazis; the bellicosity of Star Trek Klingons; historical beliefs about women’s abilities (the “weaker sex”); and the relationship between language and control in George Orwell’s 1984. In Parseon, there is no word for love. That’s not a coincidence.
Karla: Breeder has a dystopian feel. Is that intentional?
Cara: I can’t deny the story has a bleak, dark side, but I believe hope, joy, and love override it. Against all odds, love prevails.
Karla: What do you hope readers will get out of this book?
Cara: I want my readers to feel. I hope they will gasp in shock, hate the villains, and love the hero and heroine. I want them to fume in anger, cry with sadness, and smile with happiness. And I hope they say, “Damn, I’ve never read a book like this. I wish there was another one.”
Karla: Will there be another one?
Cara: Yes. Breeder will be a series. I have not decided whether it will be three books or five. My initial thought was a trilogy, because I have two other stories in mind, but my Loose Id editor asked if there would be five books because there are five Alphas of Parseon. Duh. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
Karla: It does! I look forward to reading more about Parseon and its Alphas. Besides future Breeder books, what’s next for Cara Bristol?
Cara: I am writing the fifth Rod and Cane Society novel, which I hope to submit in December or January. In February 2014, LazyDay will release Milestones, a domestic discipline anthology with seven stories by seven authors. It’s a follow-up to Coming to Terms. I’m also under contract for a sooper seekrit domestic discipline project with another group of authors. Thanks again, Karla, for having me!
Karla: It was my pleasure!
Breeder Blurb
To secure his legacy, Commander Dak, a ruling Alpha of planet Parseon, purchases Omra, a breeder slave. He intends to impregnate her, produce a son, and hand her off to his anointed beta partner. As Dak and Omra discover a sexual bliss banned by law, he begins to question Protocol-sanctioned male domination, causing him to jeopardize his command and endanger the life of the woman he has come to love.
Breeder explores the concepts of gender roles and social prohibitions against deviant behavior. It includes graphic M/F and some M/M sexual content and domestic discipline.
Buy now from:
Amazon • Loose-Id • All Romance
Visit Cara online:
Author Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon Page
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Sunday Snippet – Crossing the Line – Ties
Welcome! It’s Sunday Snippet time, part of the Weekend Writing Warriors meme.
For this week’s bite-sized excerpt, I’m serving up the first eight sentences of my upcoming release, CROSSING THE LINE, available November 18th!
“Fucking ties. What idiot invented these things?” Derrick snapped the strip of gray silk from its stranglehold around his neck. “To hell with it, not doing it,” he said, launching the thing at a garbage can.
Jeremy’s dark eyebrows rose, but Derrick’s best friend left the tie where it’d landed. “I have a solution. We pretend I won the coin toss that night. I get the girl, you get to avoid the marital noose.”
Blurb
After a decade together, things are perfect between Derrick and Hanna. Derrick can’t give his wife the thing her biological clock wants, but he can give her what her very healthy libido craves—a threesome. Of the two guys, one girl variety. And he knows just who to invite as their third.
Ten years ago, Hanna danced with two guys at a bar. The one she went home with became her husband, a man who still brings love, lust and adventure to her life, daily. When Derrick suggests inviting the other man, his longtime best friend, Jeremy, along for a sexy weekend getaway, Hanna can’t help worrying. Nor can she resist what will undoubtedly be the hottest birthday party ever.
Everything would’ve been fine if they’d had their fun that weekend, then gone back to normal.
But they didn’t. And things will never be the same—for any of them.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you’ll visit again next week for another taste of CROSSING THE LINE. Have a great day!
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Cover Reveal for Crossing the Line!
I figured ‘Hump Day’ was a good day to reveal the cover for my upcoming release, CROSSING THE LINE. 😉
Two awesome bloggers are helping me roll out the hotness, and each of them has a different, sexy excerpt, so go visit them both!
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Spotlight at Straight Shootin’ Book Review
So there’s a relatively new book blog in town, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, I recommend you rectify that. Not only because its lovely owner is doing a spotlight on my books, plus a fun Q&A (though you should go check that out, of course 😉 ), but because her reviews are fun to read, she often has giveaways and posts other cool stuff, too.
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Sunday Snippet-More Than Words-On the Wagon
Sunday snippet time! Part of the Weekend Writing Warriors meme. Make sure you check out that list of participants when you’re done here. 🙂
Starting next week, I’ll be starting with teasers from my upcoming, November release, CROSSING THE LINE. Check back here this Wednesday for the cover reveal.
For today, here’s one more bite-sized excerpt from MORE THAN WORDS. This bit follows not too long after last week’s, where Travis met Calli in person for the first time with a surprise — and very unexpected — visit to Calli’s store.
“Are you…” How to word it. How to ask if the ridiculously good-looking man holding her in his arms was some nut-job stalker. “Insane?”
“Not currently. I’ve been on the wagon for almost two months.” Dear god, he had dimples to go with the charming crinkles when he smiled.
She was such a goner.
For more of Travis and Calli’s dirty Scrabble story, check out MORE THAN WORDS on Amazon, Goodreads, or at your other favorite e-book retailer.Thanks for stopping by!
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Sunday Snippet – More Than Words – Messed-Up Wiring
Sunday snippet time! Part of the Weekend Writing Warriors meme — make sure you check out that whole list of offerings.
Today’s bite-sized excerpt is from MORE THAN WORDS, and it follows right after last week’s snippet, where Travis got his first look at his anonymous Scrabble crush when he walks into the store where she works.But there was something else — more than the pretty picture staring him down as he approached. She had this…damn, there was something about her. Eyes full of fire, sexy curves all buttoned and tucked neatly away inside a sweet, innocent exterior. Just looking at her messed with his wiring. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do more—adore her or corrupt her.
“Can I help you?”
Hell yes, she could help him. Give him a sec and he’d hand her a list of the ways.
For more of Travis & Calli’s sexy Scrabble romance, check out MORE THAN WORDS at your favorite ebook retailer, and on Goodreads.
Thanks for stopping! 🙂
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Sunday Snippet – More Than Words – The First Look
Sunday snippet time. Make sure you check out the full list of participants at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.Today’s eight sentences are from MORE THAN WORDS, aka “the dirty Scrabble book”. Last week, Travis was doing a little investigating via Google, trying to locate his mystery woman from some clues she’d left. Today’s snippet skips ahead some. (If you want to know what happened in between, just click one of those buy link buttons at the bottom.)
Travis pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head — he wanted a clear view when he walked through the door.
An electronic chime announced his arrival. A woman sat behind the main counter, bowed over a book, dark hair pooling on newsprint as her pencil tapped frenetically on the gleaming white countertop. He’d made it halfway into the store before she raised her head, looked him in the eye and straightened on her stool. The sight stopped him mid-step. He’d hoped she’d be attractive. Expected it, since her sister was a looker. But he hadn’t prepared himself for the possibility that his anonymous Scrabble crush would be knockout beautiful.
MORE THAN WORDS is now available just about everywhere, so go grab your copy. 😉
Amazon • Kobo • B&N • iTunes • More E-tailers
