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Sunday Snippet—CROSSING THE LINE—Need vs Want
This week’s Sunday snippet is from the early pages of CROSSING THE LINE, my edgiest book, and one of my favorite stories. Derrick and Hanna have been married eight years, and her birthday is coming up. Derrick has one hell of a gift in mind for the woman he loves…
“You cue up a video,” her tongue slid along her plump bottom lip, “and I’ll grab a few things from the bedroom.”So they could act out a three-way scene, something they both loved doing. “The videos you watch, the stuff we pretend—we can do that if you want. Really do it.”
A couple of seconds ticked by before it clicked. “No, Derrick, I don’t need that…just you, you’re all I need.”
Ah, there it was, the importance of a single word. She didn’t need to be with two men at once, but she hadn’t said she didn’t want to be.
Check out the rest of the Weekend Writing Warriors’ offerings here.
CROSSING THE LINE
Lifelong best friends Derrick and Jeremy met Hanna at a bar ten years ago. Both wanted her—one married her. Now the other man has been invited to join in for one hot weekend.
Everything would’ve been fine if they’d had their fun that weekend, then gone back to normal. But they didn’t. And when past demons resurface, things will never be the same—for any of them.
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Sunday Snippet — ICING ON THE CAKE — Presumptuous
Happy Easter to those who celebrate, and thanks for hopping by for another Sunday snippet. If all goes according to plan, I’ll have a new release to share with you in May, so for the month of April, I’m going to post from a variety of my backlist books for my contribution to the Weekend Writing Warriors.
This week’s snippet is from ICING ON THE CAKE. In this scene, Curtis and Sara are navigating the waters of their siblings’ wedding reception, and their budding…relationship?
Curtis’s big, hard body pressed against Sara’s back as he turned her away from his sister—and trouble. “Lindsay’s had one too many glasses of wine; be a good girl and walk away.”“Now you want me to be good? I thought you wanted me to be very, very bad.”
“Oh, I do,” his mouth brushed the shell of her ear, “and you will be—later.”
“Pretty presumptuous, lawman.”
“Part of why you like me.”
“Also presumptuous—I never said I like you.”
ICING ON THE CAKE is one of my favorites. 🙂 If a bossy cop hero & a snarky, badgirl heroine sound fun to you, here are some places you can buy a copy:
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ICING ON THE CAKE
Close to Home series — Book 2
Nia and Conn’s wedding will be fairytale perfect…if their siblings can get along.
Free-spirited, anti-establishment Sara has always been on the outside of her family’s fairytale mold. Now she’s being forced smack into the middle of it at her sister Nia’s wedding. Alongside the cocky and annoyingly sexy best man—Conn’s cop brother.
Curtis doesn’t buy in to organized romance and fairytales. But for his brother, he’ll throw on a tux and fake it for a few hours. His flak vest would have been a better choice around the maid of honor. He should have brought his handcuffs too, because somebody needs to restrain the dark-haired spitfire—and he’s just the man for the job.
One night to indulge the spark between them, then goodbye—that was the agreement. Curtis isn’t looking for a relationship and he sure doesn’t want a troublemaker for a girlfriend. The last thing Sara needs in her daily life is a cop looking over her shoulder, no matter how hot he is.
But giving in to their chemistry is much more fun than giving it up…
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Sunday Snippet — CUP OF SUGAR — Getting Educated
It’s Sunday snippet time, and Conn and Nia are steaming up that roadside motel room they’ve been forced to share.
Eyes locked with hers, he stroked her—lightly, firmly, circling, rubbing. Dipping inside, one finger, then two, then none as he focused his ministrations on her clit again. Making her crazy.“Stop teasing,” she whispered.
“Not teasing.” A naughty smile curled his lips. “Learning. Then I’ll have you at my mercy.”
You have to love a man who wants to further his education. 😉
CUP OF SUGAR
Visit more of the Weekend Writing Warriors here.
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—Want Some?
Sunday, fun day. Time for another eight-sentence snippet from CUP OF SUGAR, part of the Weekend Writing Warriors meme. Conn and Nia are still stuck in the little motel room with only one bed. The TV’s on and they’re into the snacks. TV & snacking should be an innocent way to pass the time, right? 😉
She popped the first pretzel piece into her mouth and closed her eyes. Her lips moved in a circular motion and her cheeks hollowed, then she moaned. The woman looked and sounded as if she was on the verge of an orgasm—from pretzels.Jesus, how would she respond to his face between her legs, or his cock buried deep in her body while he kissed her? He was never going to make it through this night.
“Want some?” she asked, offering the bag.
Hell yes, he wanted some. So badly his cock could probably be used as a battering ram.
Want more Sugar?
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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 — Sleeping Arrangements
Welcome back for another Sunday snippet from CUP OF SUGAR. This bite follows right after last week’s offering, when a horrible snow storm forced Conn and Nia to take refuge for the night in a small motel with only one room available.
The bottom dropped out of Nia’s stomach when Conn opened the motel room door. Yes, the “good news” could get worse—there was only one bed.“Where are we all going to sleep?” she asked, voicing the million-dollar question.
Conn made a sharp, clicking noise with his tongue and pointed to the carpet near the dresser. Zeus shook his big, reddish-brown body and sauntered to the spot. The dog stretched to a ridiculous length, then curled into an unbelievably small ball and immediately fell asleep.
“I hope you’re not expecting that to work on me.”
“Nope,” he redirected his outstretched arm and made that same clicking noise, “I’m ordering you to the bed.”
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Make sure to check out all the offerings from the Weekend Writing Warriors!
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—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.
Amazon • iTunes • Kobo • B&N • All Romance • more
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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.
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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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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:
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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.
