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Sunday Snippet—CUP OF SUGAR—Vacancy
This week’s Sunday snippet follows shortly after last week’s offering from CUP OF SUGAR. Nia’s hunky neighbor has saved the day (actually, the night) by offering to drive her through a nasty snow storm to reach her long-distance destination. Only the weather has forced them off the roads, to the only refuge they’ve come across in over an hour of treacherous driving. Conn has just returned from the small motel’s office.
He eased back in his seat, grinning as he killed the engine. “The good news is, we chanced upon the only motel in a hundred-kilometer radius before we ran out of gas or landed in a ditch…and it had a vacancy.”“A vacancy?”
“Yeah, one room left.” As if cued, the red “Vacancy” sign in the office window flickered to black. He held up a plastic fob with a single key dangling from its ring. “And it’s all ours.”
She forced a smile while donning her coat—sharing a motel room with Conn was definitely not good news.
Visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors serving up eight-sentence snippets this week.
CUP OF SUGAR
Nia has one rule—don’t date neighbors. Simple, except the guy next door is single, handsome, and not inclined to close his blinds while naked. When her car dies, Conn takes “being neighborly” to a new level by offering a ride to her long-distance destination. Nia has resisted his looks and charm for months. Surely she can handle a few hours in his truck…
For months, Conn has blatantly put himself on display, hoping his pretty blonde neighbor would tire of secretly watching and come knock on his door for a cup of sugar—or more. No such luck—until an unusual opportunity arises. After a six-hour drive turns into a sweet-and-sexy weekend, Conn wants more than neighborly status with Nia. To get it, he must convince her to break the rule protecting her heart—by putting his on the line.
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Sunday Snippet—CUP OF SUGAR—Car Trouble
Since we’re in the middle of another frigid, snowy winter, this week’s Sunday snippet is from the first page of CUP OF SUGAR, which opens on a blustery New Year’s Eve. Conn and Nia are new-ish neighbors, but they don’t know each other very well—yet.
“My car won’t start.”Chalk this one up as a late Christmas present from the universe. Conn motioned at the passenger door. She nodded in response, so he opened it, stuck his head and shoulders inside. “I’m at your service—I can jump you or give you a ride.”
She squeaked—actually squeaked—and the frost melted from her expression. Oh, she was still pink in the cheeks, the color just didn’t look cold-weather induced. Maybe this New Year’s Eve wouldn’t completely suck after all.
Amazon • All Romance • iTunes • B&N • Kobo • more
Check the Weekend Writing Warriors website for a full list of this week’s participants.
Blurb
Nia has one rule—don’t date neighbors. Simple, except the guy next door is single, handsome, and not inclined to close his blinds while naked. When her car dies, Conn takes “being neighborly” to a new level by offering a ride to her long-distance destination. Nia has resisted his looks and charm for months. Surely she can handle a few hours in his truck…
For months, Conn has blatantly put himself on display, hoping his pretty blonde neighbor would tire of secretly watching and come knock on his door for a cup of sugar—or more. No such luck—until an unusual opportunity arises. After a six-hour drive turns into a sweet-and-sexy weekend, Conn wants more than neighborly status with Nia. To get it, he must convince her to break the rule protecting her heart—by putting his on the line.
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Guest Post—Cover Reveal for DECEPTION by A.S. Fenichel
I’m happy to share in the cover reveal fun for one of my best friends, the lovely A.S. Fenichel. DECEPTION is Book 2 of The Demon Hunters series, an exciting blend of steamy historical romance, paranormal elements and action! Isn’t that cover just gorgeous? And after you ooh and aah over the cover, be sure you scroll all the way to the bottom, because there’s a Rafflecopter draw for a $25 gift certificate!
When Demons threaten Regency London, only a Lady can stop them.
Lillian Dellacourt is beautiful, refined and absolutely lethal. She’s also the most feared and merciless demon hunter in The Company. She’s come a long way from the penniless seamstress’s daughter sold to the highest bidder, and it wasn’t by trusting a man, let alone an exiled Marquis with more on his mind than slaying the hellspawn. . .
For Dorian Lambert, Marquis de Montalembert, being sent to keep track of Lillian is no mean task. He’s wanted the fiery vixen since he first heard of her five years ago. But wooing the lady while fighting the demon uprising is no easy feat, especially when the lady’s tongue is as sharp as the Japanese sai blades she favors for eviscerating the spawn of hell.
These two will have to learn to trust each other fast, because the demon master is back, and he’s planning to turn Edinburgh into a living hell…
Publication Date: July 7, 2015 by Lyrical Press/Kensington Publishing
Pre-order it now from Amazon • B&N • Kensington
And while you’re waiting for DECEPTION, grab ASCENSION, Book 1 of The Demon Hunters…
Buy now from Amazon • B&N • Kensington
Connect with the author online:
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Sunday Snippet—GAME PLAN—The Toys Are Coming Out
Happy Sunday! Today is a special day, because it’s the 3rd anniversary of my first pubished book. My debut novel, GAME PLAN, released February 15, 2012. The publisher has recently dropped the price on this book, so if you haven’t picked it up already, now’s a perfect time.
GAME PLAN is an older woman/younger man erotic romance. Andie, a 40-year-old divorced mom of a tween, meets Mason when he “accidentally” hits her with a baseball while warming up for a game. Here’s an eight-sentence snippet from their first meeting…
After inspecting her toes and her injured ankle a couple minutes more, he met her eyes again. “I’ve gotta go, I’m playing on the other diamond and my game is about to start. But you should call me later—for ibuprofen, cold packs, a foot rub, whatever you need—I deliver, 24/7.”“A foot rub…are you a registered massage therapist or something?”
“Strictly amateur. But I do more than feet, and I guarantee satisfaction.”
Well that about sealed it. The toys were coming out tonight—the big ones.
Don’t forget to check out the other Weekend Writing Warriors‘ offerings.
GAME PLAN
Recently divorced after seventeen years with a snooty, uptight, controlling man, forty-year-old Andie is definitely ready for some casual, sexy fun when a hot younger man “accidentally” hits her with a baseball. Mason’s interest is clear and he looks like a lot more fun than her overworked vibrator collection, so she goes for it, despite the obvious age gap. The young veterinarian is as easy to be with as he is on the eyes, making him an ideal summer diversion and the perfect man to help her make up for lost time and missed orgasms.
Mason had to meet the sexy woman at the ball diamond. The chemistry between them is instant and completely addictive. Andie is more than beautiful, she’s uninhibited and independent—totally unlike the needy twenty-somethings he’s been dating since his ex-fiancée deceived him five years ago. And yeah, Andie is ten years older than him, big deal. The more they’re together, the more his heart wants her as badly as his cock. Too bad Andie isn’t playing for keeps.
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Sale Alert! ICING ON THE CAKE
February 13th only, ICING ON THE CAKE is the deal of the day at All Romance Ebooks! If you haven’t read this one yet, go grab a copy for just $1.50. That’s lots of laughs and steamy sex for less than a cup of coffee! Epub, mobi (Kindle) and PDF formats are all available. 🙂
Not sure? Read more about ICING ON THE CAKE, including the first chapter, here.
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Guest Post—REASONABLE DOUBTS—Cara Bristol
Today I have the lovely Cara Bristol visiting. Even her dominant alpha heroes would have to admit, Cara is definitely in charge when it comes to Domestic Discipline romance! Spanking and tenderness go hand-in-hand in Cara’s books. If you haven’t read her yet, I absolutely recommend you do!
REASONABLE DOUBTS, Book 5 in Cara’s highly popular Rod and Cane Society series released a few weeks ago.To celebrate, Cara is treating us to an excerpt from REASONABLE DOUBTS, along with her thoughts on something very important to any good story—chemisty.
Take it away, Cara…
The chemistry of relationships
By Cara Bristol
Some define chemistry as a “spark.” I think of it as “glue” that bonds two people together until they can get to know each other in a deeper way and discover if true compatibility exists. At least initially, chemistry is a temporary, albeit powerful attractant.
I didn’t marry until I was 33 years old. Between the ages of 18 and 33, I dated a lot, but most ended at the first date because of a lack of chemistry. With only one exception , all dates in which I had chemistry resulted in long term relationships—and one in marriage.
When you meet someone with who you have chemistry, there is physical awareness, of course, but also a rapport, comfort instead of awkwardness, and an ease of communication, all of which build and begin to solidify a relationship. Chemistry is usually instantaneous—although not always.
(When I first saw the man who would become my husband, my exact thoughts were, “that’s the kind of guy I could go for.” And then I talked to him, and the actual attraction to him grew quickly. Our first date was the most comfortable first date I’ve even been on.)
Chemistry can develop over time. People can begin as platonic friends, but then start “noticing” the other person. But for chemistry to work, i.e. bond two people, it must be mutual. It’s not always.
(I believe there is a chemistry to platonic friendships as well. We have many acquaintances, but far fewer friends. Some people we automatically “click” with and others we don’t. The one’s we click with become our friends while the others remain acquaintances).
Chemistry is so powerful, it can lead people to make bad decisions such as get involved with individuals who are wrong for them, remain in a bad relationships, or cheat on spouses, break up families, and destroy a good marriages. (There are other reasons for infidelity of course, but I think a common one is that chemistry may wane in a marriage, and then a spouse develops chemistry with someone else).
In Reasonable Doubts, widow Liz Davenport thinks she knows what she wants when she starts to date again. She wants a man like her late husband: an older, experienced disciplinarian. But chemistry draws her to Grant Davis. He’s not older. He’s no more experienced than she is, and he’s never spanked a woman in his life. Against her rational judgment, she gets involved with him.
How do you think chemistry affects a relationship?
Reasonable Doubts Blurb
Widow Liz Davenport assumes when she begins to date, her new man will be like her late husband–a member of the Rod and Cane Society and an experienced disciplinarian who can provide her with loving guidance she requires to feel grounded and secure. So why is she attracted to Grant Davis, an ex-Naval JAG officer who works for her nemesis and has never spanked a woman in his life?
Events in his recent past have forced Grant to take stock of his life and try some new things. But spank a woman? He’s never considered that before, but with Liz’s coaching he’s willing to try.
But when the past collides with the present, will he be able to step up and become the disciplinarian Liz needs?
Reasonable Doubts excerpt
“Let’s go.” Grant swatted her ass. A wave of longing rolled through her like thunder traveling across an open plain. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and swayed. More. Please more.
But there wouldn’t be more, because Grant wasn’t that way.
Why couldn’t he be a gentleman and a spanker? Was she foolish to start a relationship with a man who could give only half of what she needed? She’d never settled before. But at the idea of walking away from Grant, a little pang shot through her.
But maybe that ache afforded reason enough to call it quits—get out now before she became more attracted, more attached. She needed a man with the confidence to take her in hand and provide what she needed without her having to ask. A head of household who provided stability, structure, and discipline. A mother-may-I guy would not fit the bill.
Grant was a nice man. A good man. They had no commitments, but eventually she would meet someone who could provide everything she needed, and she would move on. It wasn’t right to use him to stave off the loneliness or to scratch an itch. He deserved better.
“Hey…are you okay?” Grant settled a gentle hand on her shoulder, and she realized a long moment had passed since she’d agreed to leave.
Dating did not get easier when you got older. If anything, it got more complicated. She took a deep breath and turned. She didn’t want to disappoint him, to hurt him. She liked him. Enjoyed his company, his conversation, his laugh.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t do this.”
“If you’re not ready, we don’t have to. I understand,” he said.
He didn’t understand. She would not be ready, ever. Not with him. But the words to mark paid to their fledgling relationship refused to leave her lips. Why did he have to be so nice? Attractive. Sexy. Damn him!
“Why don’t we go have some tea and dessert?” he suggested.
“All right,” she agreed, because she couldn’t bring herself to ask him to take her home.
She slipped out of his sports coat and felt an instant loss of warmth. “Thank you.” She returned it, giving back more than his jacket.
“Are you sure? It’s still chilly in here.”
The only thing she was sure about was how confused she was. “I’m good. Thank you.”
Grant shrugged into his jacket, and they exited the gallery. Misery thickened Liz’s throat, but she held her head high as they strolled down the corridor. They avoided the crowded elevator for the empty stairwell. Liz started to descend the steps, but Grant stopped her on the landing. He lightly gripped her upper arms.
“Listen,” he said. “I’m attracted to you, and I want to sleep with you. But it has to be right. You were married a long time, and this is a big step. We’ll take it at your pace. I’m sorry if I came on too strong.”
He brushed his thumb over her face, and Liz realized she was crying. Her face heated with mortification.
“Hey….” He wrapped his arms around her in a hug, and she hid her face against his neck. He chuckled, a sound of such tenderness, Liz cried harder. “Sweetheart?” Grant rocked her. “Tell me why you’re so upset.”
Because she wanted to sleep with him, but she needed him to spank her. Because her emotions were stronger than she’d thought. She craved discipline, but she desired it from him. Grant had wrapped himself around her heart the way his arms fit so snuggly around her shoulders. “B-because…I don’t know. Because I’m crazy.”
“I like crazy women.”
“Nobody likes crazy women.”
“I like you.”
“Then you’re crazy.”
“See? We’re perfect for each other.”
She smiled through her tears. A measure of heartache receded, but confusion still reigned. “I’m a basket case.”
“I like baskets.”
Laughter snorted out her nose. She thumped his chest with her fist. “You’re too nice to me.” You don’t make it easy.
Or maybe she complicated the situation. She and Grant had connected. Perhaps she should get out of her own way and let nature run its course. Stop analyzing and go with the flow. Counselor, counsel thyself. Many friends had sought her advice, used her as a sounding board to work through relationship woes. She could read people and had an instinct for who would be good together. How many couples had she matched up over the years? Dozens, probably. But her life was a mess. A turmoil of conflicted emotion.
Fix me a spanking, won’t you, darling?
Some people drank to calm their nerves. Others exercised or meditated. She’d been spanked. So many times, after a grueling day at work, Otis had taken one glance at her and taken her in hand.
Spank me, Grant.
“Can I reconsider?” she asked.
“Reconsider?” he raised his eyebrows.
“I’d like to sleep with you. Tonight,” she said.
“You don’t have to do that. I can wait,” he said, but a lopsided, hopeful smile slid across his face.
She shook her head. “I don’t want to wait.”
As if he feared she might change her mind again, he hustled her down the stairs.
REASONABLE DOUBTS is available now:
Amazon • Amazon UK • Amazon AU • Amazon CA • B&N • All Romance
Connect with Cara Bristol online
Prizes, Prizes!
How would you like to become card-carrying member of the Rod and Cane Society? To receive a membership card, leave a comment for Cara about Reasonable Doubts or this blog AND your email address in the body of your comment. Cara will contact you to arrange to send you a membership card. This is not a drawing. Everyone who posts a comment with an email address can receive a card—as long as supplies last. In addition, by commenting on this blog and leaving an email address, you’ll be entered into a drawing for Rod and Cane coffee mug.
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Update: Cherry on Top
This is one of those posts I hate writing, because I know it will disappoint people. But, I’d rather keep everybody informed than guessing, so here’s the update on CHERRY ON TOP…
Unfortunately, I must push back the release date, which was scheduled for March 19th, to later this year. Probably summer.
As much as I love Ben & Lindsay, their book has not been coming easily, and is nowhere near finished. I’m not one who can “force” words onto the page when they don’t feel natural or true to the story. Therefore, I’m removing a scheduled release date from this book. I promise that it is coming, I’m just not sure of the date.
To those of you who were excited to read Ben & Lindsay’s story this March… I’m sorry! Truly. I hope that when it is finished, you will think it was worth the wait.
Thanks to everybody for their encouragement, enthusiasm and support. It is always appreciated. ♥
~Karla
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Sunday Snippet—GIFT WRAPPED—Good Girl
This week’s Sunday snippet is a continuation of the kitchen scene from GIFT WRAPPED. In the excerpt a couple of weeks ago, Davis told Brinn what he’d do to her (and the pudding they’re making) if she continued undressing him. Last week the clothes came off. And here’s eight sentences of what happens next…
“Are you really a good girl, Brinn—I need to know.”“Yes, I’m a good girl,” she said, her legs shaking and heart racing.
He leaned over her back, molding his body tightly to hers. “Do you like being a good girl?”
His warm breath on her neck made her shiver. Or maybe it was the question, so loaded with naughty promises.
“No,” she whispered, “I don’t like it.”
“Then I’m going to fuck the good girl right out of you tonight.”
Make sure to check out all the snippets from the Weekend Writing Warriors.
GIFT WRAPPED
After catching her boyfriend cheating two weeks before Christmas, Brinn is seriously lacking in holiday spirit. So when she looks into the eyes of a last-minute shopper after closing on Christmas Eve, she’s sarcastic rather than sympathetic. But Brinn is ever the good girl and her conscience wins out. She offers the handsome stranger ten minutes to select a gift and ends up with a present of her own—a date. On Christmas Eve.
Davis hates Christmas. Especially this year, since a neighborhood heist liberated him of his hard-earned belongings and the few gifts he’d purchased. But the robbery led him to a cute store manager with a sense of humor, smokin’ body and no plans for the evening. Mistletoe might be in order after all.
Their Christmas Eve date is like gift-wrapped, sexy satisfaction. But the best gifts keep on giving, and one naughty night may not be enough—for either of them.
Amazon • All Romance • iTunes • B&N • more
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Sunday Snippet—GIFT WRAPPED—Gift Exchange
Thanks for stopping in to read the Sunday snippet, part of the Weekend Writing Warriors meme. This week’s morsel from GIFT WRAPPED follows hot (and I do mean hot) on the heels of last week’s offering.
A deep growl rumbled near her ear, then Davis’s hands were everywhere, stripping away her clothes with a combination of efficiency and impatience. “Jesus, you’re sexy.” His gaze moved over her naked body. “Merry Christmas to me.”“My turn to unwrap a present,” she said, reaching for the bottom of his shirt and tugging it upward.
He helped, peeling the fabric away and tossing it onto the growing pile of castoffs. His jeans followed—then boxers and socks, leaving him head-to-toe naked and hard all over.
“I’ve obviously been a very good girl this year, to get a present this size,” she said, taking his cock in hand.
Want more than a little bite of the hot chef? You can have all of him for just $2.99…
Amazon • iTunes • All Romance • B&N • Kobo • more
Blurb
After catching her boyfriend cheating two weeks before Christmas, Brinn is seriously lacking in holiday spirit. So when she looks into the eyes of a last-minute shopper after closing on Christmas Eve, she’s sarcastic rather than sympathetic. But Brinn is ever the good girl and her conscience wins out. She offers the handsome stranger ten minutes to select a gift and ends up with a present of her own—a date. On Christmas Eve.
Davis hates Christmas. Especially this year, since a neighborhood heist liberated him of his hard-earned belongings and the few gifts he’d purchased. But the robbery led him to a cute store manager with a sense of humor, smokin’ body and no plans for the evening. Mistletoe might be in order after all.
Their Christmas Eve date is like gift-wrapped, sexy satisfaction. But the best gifts keep on giving, and one naughty night may not be enough—for either of them.
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“Tell Me Your Favorite Scene” Giveaway
I have a fun little giveaway going on my Facebook page this week. Just pop over and comment on this post with your favorite scene from any of my books. I’ll put all the commentors’ names in a random drawing and choose one winner of a $5 Amazon gift card on January 31st. Easy peasy. 🙂
I can’t wait to read about everybody’s favorite scenes!
Click on the above image to be taken to the post.
