Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Egg-cerpt for The Soldier's Return


The Soldier's Return by Ava Delany

buy link - http://www.breathlesspress.com/erotic/the-soldier-s-return.html

Blurb


Wet with anticipation, Janelle waits in her sexiest attire. She longs for her husband’s return from deployment in Afghanistan. When he arrives, she has a surprise for him. But she isn’t the only one with something to share.

Will this homecoming be as fulfilling as she desires?



Excerpt
The key in the lock sent her pulse racing, and she stepped into the hallway, wanting to be the first thing he saw. The door opened. His finely pressed military uniform accentuated the thick muscles of his chest and arms. His dark hair and swarthy complexion gave him the appearance of an Arabic sheik, and she wanted to be his harem girl.

A loud thump reverberated throughout the room as he dropped the bags he carried. Ignoring his widening eyes, she jumped into his arms, pressing her warm flesh to him. Ron's muscles rippled under her hands. He kicked the door closed behind them, and her lips covered his, her tongue desperate to discover the heat of his mouth.


Thank you, Ava, for your sharing your book with us,

Tina

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Visit to President Hoover's Library in Iowa


Find more photos like this on Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction (WRDF)

Mike and I stopped by President's Hoover's Library. He was an amazing individual, gave away a great deal of his own money to help starving people across the world. A successful geologist, he found gold any a number of countries around the world.

Hope you enjoy,


Tina


Monday, March 29, 2010

Egg-cerpt for Laura's Lost Love


Laura's Lost Love
Book One of the Heart Junction Series
By Fran Shaff
Sweet Early 20th Century Historical Romance
Print Publisher: Create Space,
ISBN: 9781438264417


AWARDS:
Golden Rose Award from Love Romances and More, Recommended Read Award from Fallen Angel Reviews

Available in paperback at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Lauras-Lost-Love-Heart-Junction/dp/1438264410/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264003260&sr=8-2

Read the first half of the book for free and buy at: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8321

Also available in e-book in most formats at Internet outlets

BLURB

When the orphan train arrives in Heart Junction, South Dakota in 1912, Laura Windsor happily greets the little girl she intends to take into her home. Her plans are shattered when Gavin Maitland explains that the orphan train children may be placed with married couples only.

Gavin hates disappointing the lovely Laura, but he has no choice. He is bound to follow the rules of the town council. When he is unable to place Angelina with a willing couple because she is a sickly child, he arranges for Laura to take her in temporarily.

Circumstances surrounding Angelina's care and placement keep Laura and Gavin close enough for each of them to realize that there is much more between them than their concern for a child. But can two people at odds ever join together? Not without breaking conventions, promises and even a few laws.

EXCERPT

Laura let her gaze drift around the office. She appreciated the fine look of the large hardwood desk, but she could have done without the stale stench of cigar ashes emanating from the ash tray on Mr. Farah’s desk.

Mr. Maitland’s melodious, deep voice drifted through the open door.

Angelina’s sweet laughter followed the sounds of keys striking paper on a modern typewriter.

Laura relaxed a little knowing that Angelina seemed to be content. She peeked around the frame of the door into the lobby. Mr. Maitland touched Angelina’s cheek and smiled at the child. The man who was about to ruin Laura’s life appeared to be charming the daughter he was ready to destroy. Gavin Maitland was most assuredly two men in one. Charming, handsome, some women might say irresistible with his mass of caramel hair and his hazel-brown eyes. Yet heartless, cruel, uncaring had to be accurate words to describe him if he intended to stop Laura from making Angelina her daughter.

Laura pulled her gaze from the lobby of the train station and leaned against the door jamb. She closed her eyes. He can’t take my daughter from my arms. We need each other.

Mr. Maitland came through the door, nearly brushing his broad chest against Laura’s shoulder. He shut the door and stood inches from Laura, looking down at her.

She stared up at him, studying his eyes, wondering what she had to say or do to convince this sober, unrelenting stickler for the law to bend the rules this one time so she might keep Angelina with her in Heart Junction.

“Shall we sit down?” he asked in a coarse, husky voice.

Laura blinked and gazed up at him a moment longer. Would charm work? Scolding? Intimidation?

Seduction?

Her cheeks burned. She looked away. “Yes, let’s sit.” Just the thought of how far she may or may not go to keep Angelina warmed her whole body.


Find Fran Shaff, Award-Winning Author at



Thanks Fran,


Tina

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Egg-cerpt for Youthful Temptations

Here's an egg-cerpt from my book.
Youthful Temptations Excerpt

"And exactly why does he hanker for a wife and a child?" She pointed her cell phone at Vaughn’s chest. "Because I’ll tell you, marrying a woman just to produce kids is a really bad idea."

"I couldn’t agree with you more." Vaughn stepped forward and held out his hand. He craved her touch and the sensation of the fast beat of her pulse against his fingers. "By the way, I’m Vaughn Reagan. Philip introduced us at the start of the evening."
Her forehead wrinkled, and she tilted her head slightly to the right.

Vaughn added Philip’s earlier description. "I’m the computer nerd who works at home and never gets out."

"Oh, yeah, shows you what a total idiot he is." She shifted her phone to her other hand.

She closed her cold fingers around his, and their palms touched briefly. The image of her hand stroking other parts of his body teased his mind with erotic possibilities. He released his grip and reminded himself to take it slow. Six months marked a long enough dry spell to suffer without a date.

"My son is working on his degree in computer science," she added and slipped her hand from his.
"And even though he doesn’t travel much, he’s brilliant. He surfs the Net and learns all sorts of useful facts. Knows more about the world than anyone I’ve ever met."

"Yes, well, the Web can be a lonely place. Chat rooms and cybersex don’t provide much of a physical connection." His words registered. At the same time, she jerked back with a shocked look on her face. "I mean . . ."

She shook her head, her full lips quirking into a grin. "I know what you mean." Her gaze shifted to the people still inside the house. "But sometimes I think companionship is overrated."

"No, there are jerks everywhere." He crowded closer and pointed to her phone. "But I can’t blame you for wanting to leave. Bill and Karen are nice neighbors, but some of their friends are less than polite."

"So you live around here, too?"

"Next door." He pointed over her right shoulder. She turned, and her arm brushed his shirt.

A sweet fragrance tickled his senses, almost the same scent as fresh-baked cookies. He drew in a deeper breath and identified the alluring scent.

Vanilla. His mouth watered for a taste.

She glanced back over her shoulder. The sexy pose plunged his heart into overdrive. "That really is close."

"Yes, and it provides an easy way to escape the boring company of fools." He forced himself to step around her and held out his hand. "Why don’t you run away with me?"

Her hair caught by the wind blew across her face and blocked his ability to read her expression.
She shoved the silky auburn strands out of her eyes and frowned. "That’s not a very good idea. I don’t even know you."

"Yes, but are you sure you’d like to return to the party?" He read the answer on her face. The light from the sliding glass door lit the frown forming on her lips and the subtle narrowing of her eyes.

The notion of her going home with him caused excitement to race through him, and he tried to remember if the place appeared presentable.

"No, but if forced to choose between the devil I know and the devil I don’t . . ." She strolled forward and laid her hands in his. "I guess you win."
Also read the first scene on my website.

Tina

Friday, March 26, 2010

Egg-cerpt from Tory Richards


Marshall reached for his wineglass before sitting back on his stool. For the hundredth time in an hour, his eyes went to the beauty mark on Annie's face. The reason the small flaw captivated him was because it was so close to temptation, and he suspected a taste of heaven. He had a burning desire to kiss her and find out if her lips were as smooth and soft as they appeared.



More than that, he wanted to taste her, in more ways than one. Earlier, in the bedroom, it had been a struggle not to throw himself down on her and give in to the situation building between them. She'd looked damn appealing on his water bed, glaring up at him with indignant fire in her eyes.



He was willing to bet the fire in her eyes would intensify when it was replaced with passion. The innocence she eluded wasn't a ruse, but a thin layer protecting the woman he sensed was hidden beneath the surface. When was the last time he'd met a woman like her?



"That was good, Detective." Annie's compliment broke the silence. She pushed her empty plate aside and dropped her napkin over it before reaching for her glass of wine. "Either you've never been married, or you've been divorced a long time." She narrowed her eyes at him over her glass.



"Fishing, Doc?" Marshall grinned, pouring more wine into his glass. A tiny smile played upon her lips, making him wonder what she was thinking.



"What now, Detective?" She ran her pinky along the edge of her glass, dipping it slightly into the liquid before bringing it to her mouth.



In spite of the sophistication that cloaked Annie, she looked extremely vulnerable at that moment. Her action under normal circumstances would have been a natural prelude to an intimate moment between them-like a kiss. But he knew she wasn't aware of the alluring quality of her movements. She didn't seem the type to purposely tease a man using seductive coyness. In fact, she seemed a thousand miles away.



The shower had done her good. She looked refreshed and sexy as hell in faded cut-off jeans that left her shapely, slender legs bare all the way to the tops of her suntanned thighs. A sleeveless top completed her casual look, something thin and airy that tied beneath her breasts, emphasizing their perky shape.



And I'd thought there wasn't enough there to fill my hands?



A tingle of awareness surged through his blood, warming him more than any wine.



He hadn't denied her comments about being horny. Hell, she'd hit the nail right on the head, but she was the one making him that way, turning him inside out. When Michelle had kissed him and pressed her body against his, he'd felt nothing. Not a twinge of the old passion had resurfaced.



All Annie had to do to turn him on was be in the same room with him, like now...



*Previously released with New Concepts Publishing. With 20,000 words of new content including a new last chapter, if you enjoyed the ebook than you'll love the print version of this sizzling, suspenseful romance!


Tory Richards
Author of sizzling romances!
http://www.toryrichards.com

Thanks Tory for dropping by,

Tina

Friday, March 19, 2010

Egg-cerpt for Baby Decision



When I wrote this book, I wanted to show both the struggles of an unwed mother but also the pain of not being able to have a child.

Hope you enjoy the excerpt.

“It just doesn’t make sense to me, Kelly. He’s a smart guy. Why would he need me to help him with the class?” Susan watched the blade of the knife go through the onion. She was glad her job in Kelly and Jason’s household didn’t include cooking. Kelly had insisted she liked the chore. Susan, as the maid, only had to clean up.

“Jason is a smart guy, too. But he can’t spell worth a damn,” Kelly said around the matchstick in her mouth. Susan really didn’t believe the technique kept the tears away.

“Yes, but Jason loves you.” Susan wondered if anyone could not find Kelly loveable. Besides being a beautiful blonde with blue eyes and a killer figure, she was smart. Too bad she . . .

“Maybe, but when we were teamed up together in the master’s program, he was a royal pain.” Kelly threw the match in the trash. “I think the man went out of his way to find big words to use in our report so he could ask me how to spell them.” She scooped onion pieces off the cutting board and put them into a skillet. “And believe me, he was just like Colt. Jason wanted me to go out with him, and he thought if he pestered me enough, I’d give in.”

“So what should I do?” Susan shifted on her wooden barstool to get more comfortable. The baby rolled over and stretched. The soft pressure against the wall of her abdomen drew her hand to her stomach. “The man is hot. I’m not going to be able to resist him.”

“What’s wrong?” Concern rang in Kelly’s voice.

“Nothing, why?” Susan said, confused by the quick shift in topics.

“You had a funny look on your face.” Kelly picked up the green bell pepper and started chopping.

“Oh, the baby is moving.”

“Really?” Kelly’s eyes lit up.

Susan knew how much Kelly wanted to have a baby. It was part of the reason she was living with Kelly and Jason. “Do you want to feel the power of an all-star kicker?”

“Yes.” Kelly put down her knife and walked around the counter.

Her hand must have alerted the baby, because a kick hit Kelly’s palm.

“It must be amazing to feel a little person growing inside you,” Kelly said in awe.

“Usually.” Susan shrugged. “Sometimes, though, it’s more discomfort than amazement. Like at night when the baby wakes me, or during the day when he lays on my bladder. Sometimes I feel like an alien is invading my body, with demands I can’t meet.”

“You know you don’t have to face this alone. Jason and I will help you in any way we can, even if you don’t want to let us adopt your baby.” Kelly placed her hand on Susan’s shoulder. “You know we think of you as part of the family.”

“Yes, but . . .” Susan didn’t want to go over this again, but she still didn’t know what she should do. “If I keep the baby, how am I going to be able to go to school and get a degree? And if I let you and Jason adopt it, my parents will never forgive me.”


Purchase at:
www.amirapress.com

Tina

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Egg-cerpt for Black Dragon's Heart


Black Dragon's Heart (also in paperback)
by Anita Philmar

Blurb-
Devoted chemist, Sarah VanHorn, lives for her research but fantasizes about loving Jake Ramsey. Her two worlds collide when the dragon center agent arrives to rescue her from the company suspected of producing chemicals dangerous to those with dragon blood.

Sarah's not the only one with fantasies. Jake wants Sarah as his mate and he's waited years to claim her. Now, under his protective custody--not to mention the influence of Syndetic's sexual stimulant scenting the air--he can't resist the fiery temptation to finally make her his.

But when tragedy strikes and their dreams are threatened, will Sarah sacrifice her career, Jake, and possibly her life to discover the answers? And will Jake let her?


Excerpt - (PG)

“William sent you here, didn’t he?” Sarah laid her hands on Jake’s shoulders, wondering if she’d lost her mind. For a lifetime, she’d wanted to make love to him. Now, he covered her chest, stomach, legs.


“Yes, and he’s the reason I shouldn’t let this go any further.” Jake shifted her hips to the edge of the narrow bed. “My assignment isn’t to sample the pleasures of your body, but to free you from here and carry you home to your family.”

His gaze fell to her breasts. Sarah smiled. The fire in his dragon blood demanded the same relief hers did. “But you will, won’t you? Because if you don’t, I might press the button by the door. You know it’s the responsibility of every cadet to report to security when a stranger enters their room.”

Jake’s eyes lifted to hers. “Are you trying to force me into complying with your will?”

“Do I need to?” Sarah raised her upper body so her breasts brushed against his chest. The hard evidence of his desire bit into her thigh. She wished he'd find a better place to rest, like deep inside her. “We both want the same things.”

“You have no idea the things I long to arouse in you.”

Now available at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Find Anita at

She's also posting egg-cerpts on her blog.

Thanks again for sharing,

Tina

Monday, March 15, 2010

Egg-cerpt for Carolina Heat



Put a workaholic Yankee together with an amiable Southerner and watch the sparks fly! Annabelle travels to Charleston, where she stumbles across the trail of a long-buried Civil War mystery. Along the way she finds steamy passion, steadfast friends, mortal danger, and the love of her life.


Well-known journalist Annabelle Carlyle is stunned by the personal twist of her latest assignment: her best friend Vanessa is missing. Annabelle goes undercover in the Old South to search for answers. Full of thick accents and a way of life rooted in the past, Charleston is as foreign and strange a place as any Annabelle's visited. And before she finds a single clue, she runs into a sexy man she can't shake.


Tall, dark and charming, Mark Dering is happy to show the gorgeous Yankee his hometown. He's captivated by the quick witted, quick tempered redhead. But when they're shot at, he realizes she's far more than just another tourist. Soon they're knee deep in a mystery that goes all the way back to the Civil War. For once Annabelle is in over her head. Desperate to find Vanessa, she reluctantly accepts Mark's help. It isn't long before romance blooms right alongside the magnolias.


The stakes grow higher when a body is discovered. Someone is willing to kill to keep a century old Confederate secret hidden. With her best friend missing and a killer on the loose, it's the worst possible moment for Mark to try and unlock Annabelle's heart. Or is love exactly what her life's been missing?


And the excerpt:

Step into the world of Carolina Heat.......


Annabelle pushed through the baggage claim doors and stopped dead as a dense wall of humid air immobilized her. No, it was more like being slowly smothered. The humidity was a wet blanket lying over the entire city of Charleston and it sapped the tiniest dreg of energy she hadleft.


Spotting a cab idling in the pick-up lane she hurried forward, wincing as her laptop case banged against her hip. A quick shrug brought the strap back onto her shoulder. It also threw her off balance enough to slip right off the edge of the curb. Her knees crumpled. Exhaustion dulledher reflexes, so she was on her way to the ground when a well-muscled arm sprinkled with curly black hair shot forward and grabbed her wrists, keeping her upright.

"Careful there. I guess it's too late to tell you to watch your step?"
Annabelle stared at him for a moment without responding. The only thought in her brain was Wow! The man had to be several inches over six feet, and every speck of skin she could see was tanned. The way his muscles bulged under the plain white T-shirt told her his amazing physique didn't come from weekly visits to a gym. And were those really dimples bracketing his smile?

"Uh, thanks," she said belatedly. This behavior was ridiculous. She'd interviewed world leaders, celebrities, but was struck dumb by a complete stranger in an airport parking lot? Another part of her brain catalogued how well his deep black eyes were offset by his olive complexion and thick, black wavy hair.

"Are you okay?"
"What? Oh, yes, I'm fine. Apparently too tired to walk a straight line, but overall I'll live."
His dimples deepened. "Good to hear."

"Thanks for catching me. The way my day's gone, I would've fallen and broken my wrist."

"Pleasure's all mine. Now I can scratch `rescue damsel in distress' off my to-do list."

"Hmmm. When you look at it like that, it's almost as if I did you a favor," Annabelle teased.

"Then I should pay you back. Would you let me buy you a drink?"

This guy was smooth. And fast. On the other hand, this was the most fun she'd had in days.
He cocked his head to the side. "Come on, take a chance. I promise – no nefarious schemes. I'm gainfully employed, straight, single, and I think this could be fate. After all, it isn't every day a gorgeous redhead falls right into my lap."
"I appreciate the offer, but I don't even know your name," she stalled.


"I'm Mark."

"Annabelle."

"It's a genuine pleasure to meet you, Miss Annabelle."His voice was flat out amazing. The vowels oozed like warm honeyfrom between the consonants. This was her first encounter with such a thick Southern accent, and she was completely enthralled by his slow Charlestonian drawl.

She realized her hand was still clasped in his, and abruptly pulled free. Annabelle didn't make a practice of standing in the middle of the street gaping at a man, even if he was unbelievably handsome in a brawny sort of way. As an investigative reporter she was used to meeting people, quickly cataloging her first impressions, and moving on. Being phased by a syrupy accent must be an oddity brought on by the extreme heat, she decided. This weather was enough to melt even her composure!

Purchase from Eternal Press for $6.95!

Christi Barth
http://www.christibarth.com/
http://wordwranglers.blogspot.com/
Thanks Christi for the egg-cerpt,
Tina

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Egg-cerpt for Sophie's Pleasure


Sophie's Pleasure

Excerpt #2

He waited until the elderly lady left then re-entered the shop. “All right, suppose I buy
something.”


“Suppose you do. What are you talking about?”


“I’m trying to get you to like me.”


Sophie turned her back on him and reached for her bottle of water. She took a drink and
faced him again with a smile. “That would be a serious mistake, don’t you think?”


“Why? I’m a nice guy.”


Sophie only smiled for a response.


“Sophie, come on.”


“All right,” she shrugged as if her next words were no big deal. “I’ve always wondered
what I missed. So why don’t we go to bed?”


He blinked in surprise. “What do you mean? Just like that?”


“Why not? We’re grown up. All right, let me rephrase. I’m grown up. I can decide to go
to bed with someone, if I want to. I was only sixteen when we dated. And you were three
years older, more experienced and ready to go off to college. You were a bit out of my
league.”


Joe, obviously dumfounded, was momentarily unable to respond. Idly he wondered
how this woman had somehow gotten the upper hand. Had she just insulted him? “You
don’t think I’m grown up?”


Sophie shrugged. “I don’t know you well enough to say.” And that was the truth. She
couldn’t judge the man on the little she did know.


“All right, you want to go to bed with me. Didn’t you just tell me it would be a mistake
to like me?”


Sophie dismissed his remark with a light frown and a gentle shake of her head. “I don’t
have to like you to have sex.” She took a deep breath. “You know, when I was a teenager, I
heard about this woman. She was writing a book. In it she rated every man she ever slept
with. All right, perhaps ‘slept with’ is the wrong terminology, but you get what I mean.”


Joe swallowed. “And what, you’re looking to rate me?”


She laughed at his bleak look, thoroughly enjoying this teasing conversation. “Well, I
wouldn’t mind seeing for myself what all the fuss was about.”


“Jesus, nothing like putting a little pressure on guy,” he said, his voice slightly
strangled.


“Well, if it’s only a little pressure, it shouldn’t bother you any.” She grinned at his sour
look. “Being a kid, I thought she was disgusting, but reconsidering, she was quite brilliant,
don’t you think? Imagine how hard those guys worked once they realised what she was
about?”


Finally, he managed a dour, “When?”


If he appeared a bit glum about the prospect, Sophie thought he’d get over it soon
enough. She smiled. “I have plans for tonight and tomorrow. Are you busy Friday night?”


“What time?” he asked without the slightest bit of pleasure.


Sophie grinned. For someone who appeared to be unhappy with the thought, he surely
was an amicable sort. “I close the shop at six. Is eight o’clock all right?”


“Fine, should I bring—”


Sophie interrupted with a shake of her head. “Nothing. This isn’t a date. I’ll make
dinner.” She laughed as she watched his brows rise, his gaze obviously confused.


“I thought this wasn’t a date. I thought you only wanted sex.”


“I have to eat, don’t I? As long as I’m cooking, I might as well make enough for two.”
She laughed softly as she gave him a knowing look. “And you can be dessert.”

Buy it at http://www.total-e-bound.com/

Patricia Pellicane
best selling writer of romance
from Total-e-bound
The Cove
The Best Present Ever
Sophie's Pleasure
Feburary 15,2010
To Save Emmy


Also check out her new website http://www.patriciapellicane.com/


Thanks Patricia,


Tina

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Egg-cerpt for Tempered Dreams


Tempered Dreams - book 2 in 4 part series

© 2005

Publisher: ComStar Media

ISBN# 0-9769960-3-0

Dr. Scott Hensley (introduced in Tempered Hearts) has built a wall around his heart since the death of his wife and parents. Katrina Simmons is recovering from scars inflicted on her as a battered wife. Can dreams be renewed and faith strengthened? Can they find joy and peace in God’s love and in love for one another?

Excerpt:

He grinned. "I'm not blaming you. Yeah," he contradicted. "I guess I am. It’s not my fault that you're so beautiful you take my breath away."

"Right," she snorted. "I'm so beautiful. My legs are too short, my breasts are too small, and my hips are too big. And you think I'm beautiful. You, doctor, need your head examined. Or your eyes."

Scott glared at her, irritated beyond belief at what he was hearing. "That low-life son-of-a-bitch really did a number on you, didn't he?"

Trina gasped, surprised and shocked at his anger. "I was just joking."

"Well, it's not funny. You're constantly putting yourself down, and I'm sick of it!" Lunging from the couch, he carried her into the bedroom and stood her in front of the full-length mirror. "Look at yourself," he insisted, urging her chin up with his hand, determined that she see herself as he saw her.

"Your skin is like silk, all peachy and soft." He brushed his knuckles down her cheek. "Your hair is like satin, thick and shiny, makes me think of..." he hesitated. How could he describe the rich gold shot with equal proportions of red? he wondered, running his fingers through it, pulling her head back against his chest and placing a kiss on it. "Makes me think of a fiery sunset."

"And those eyes," he groaned, forcing himself not to turn her around to face him, "are big and luminous and incredibly rich. Like two huge chocolate drops in a bowl of fresh peaches and cream. Those lips," he traced them with his thumb, "soft and full, beg to be kissed."

His fingers trailed down her throat and over her shoulders until he cupped her breasts in his hands. "Feel perfect to me," he breathed, giving them an intimate squeeze. Releasing the tempting flesh, he continued, running his hands over her torso to cup her waist. "Beautiful," he assured her, his voice thick and husky. "So tiny. I can almost clasp my hands together, you're so tiny."

His hands continued their torturous journey, cupping her hips. With a gentle tug, he pulled her firmly against his body. "Flared just right,” he hummed. “Baby-making hips. Watching you walk, with that subtle sway of yours drives me crazy," he confessed.

"And those legs," he rolled his eyes with a satisfied grunt. Turning her around, he picked her up, and wrapped them around his waist. "Not long, true. But incredibly slender and well toned. The sexiest pair of legs I've seen in a long time. And I see plenty of them in my profession," he admitted, stroking her thigh.

"You have an abundance of energy, and depths of untapped passion that shows in the way you carry yourself, the glow you radiate, and the way you laugh and cry, with all of your emotions. That in itself is a turn on, knowing that when you love, you'll love with all of your being; that you'll hold nothing back, you'll give yourself freely and completely. I know you haven't been loved like that before, and it's hard for you to trust that you ever will, or can. But I love you, Katrina. I love you like that," he whispered.

~Blessings~
Pamela S. Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge!" (TM)
http://pamelathibodeaux.com
http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Member White Roses in Bloom Authors
Member/CoFounderBayou Writers Group

Thanks Pamela for sharing with us,

Tina

Sunday, March 7, 2010

New Blog - Wisdoms Echo

A dear friend sent me this note and I thought I would pass it on. There's no cost just a sharing of ideas.


Dear friends,

I am working on a little project close to my heart and would love for you to help me out. If you would be so kind,check out the link below and if you would like to contribute, I would be very grateful.

http://wisdomsecho.blogspot.com

Please share this with your friends and encourage them to do the same. I'm hoping for a wide and deep reach of people.

Sincerely,
Mary Karen Meredith

Friday, March 5, 2010

Egg-cerpt for Training the Receptionist


“Training the Receptionist” by Juniper Bell
Genre: Erotica

ISBN: 978-1-60504-949-6
Length: Novella
Price: 3.50

I snatched the application and plopped myself into a leather chair. I didn’t have time for random idiocy, I needed a freakin’ job. Quickly, I filled in all the usual information.
Dana Arthur. Age twenty-two. Previous experience: various crap jobs, some waitressing. Two-year degree from Long Island Community College. Strengths: motivated, hardworking, willing to do just about anything to move out of my house. (Okay, so I didn’t actually write down that last one.) It didn’t ask about weaknesses, but I don’t mind saying them. No tolerance for boredom, restless, problem with authority, a couple of hidden piercings and not-so-hidden tattoos, one or two DUIs. Or three.
I attached my resumé to the application and handed it to Bizarro Girl. Showing absolutely no interest in it, she slid the papers into a manila folder and stood. Something flashed into my eyes, and I realized, after recovering my vision, that she’d taken a Polaroid of me. While I was still blinking, she popped it into the folder and left the room.
Alone in the lobby of Cowell & Dirk, I seriously debated walking out right then and there. What kind of place took a Polaroid of you without so much as letting you get the McMuffin crumbs out of your teeth? But I let it go. For one thing, there was something very relaxing about that lobby. It was so quiet, like a super-secret, soundproofed vault. Not a single sound came in from outside. The colors were all bland and soothing. Beige carpet, black leather armchair and couch, blond wood receptionist’s desk. The overall look was what I would call Corporate Zombie. I could totally picture the people who worked there—pudgy-bodied, dull-eyed, combed-over drones in yellow ties and brown dress shoes. Every Friday they went out for after-work drinks at the nearest T.G.I. Friday’s. Mondays they spent the first few hours recounting their wild weekends, consisting of football games and blind dates who wouldn’t go down on them unless they paid for dinner.
Shows what I know.
When the door opened again, the sexiest man I’d ever seen in my life came toward me. My nipples got hard the instant I set eyes on him.
I still can’t put my finger on exactly what made him so hot. He was good-looking enough, with eyes like chips of green stone and black hair. Black Irish, I think that look is called. He had a rolling, in-charge kind of walk, as if he were walking onto the deck of his own personal pirate ship. The pirate comparison wasn’t half-bad, he even had a scar on his cheek, a thin, white crescent around his mouth.
His mouth might have been the sexiest of all. Surrounded by a slight stubble, it curved in a way that implied I know you and I know what you like. He was the kind of man who looked like he had a lot of secrets, secrets you might regret learning. The kind of man any normal mother would never allow anywhere near her daughter.
But my mother was long gone, and I hadn’t listened to my stepmother from day one.
“Ms. Arthur. Thanks for coming in.” Those eyes of his were mesmerizing. Half-hypnotized, I barely noticed he was patiently holding out his hand to shake mine.
I got to my feet. But instead of shaking his hand, I stuck out my chin. “And you are?”
“I’m Simon Dirk, Executive Vice President.”
He could have said, “I’m the King of the World,” and I wouldn’t have argued. I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.” Was there some kind of extra electricity when our hands touched? I can’t be sure. I was too bewitched by his eyes. From closer range, they looked more forest than grass-green, more cool than hot. They were slightly narrowed. This man was taking me in. Assessing me. It made sense, of course, he was considering whether or not to hire me. But, in retrospect, I know he was assessing me for something else.
He looked down at my application. “So, you’re interested in the receptionist job.”
Something told me he wouldn’t mind a cheeky attitude. “Yes. It’s a lifelong goal.”
Right away his gaze darted up to meet mine. He gave me a long, cool look. “Do you plan on greeting clients in that manner?”
“Absolutely not. Clients will get my complete and undivided servitude.”
“I see.” After another long look into my soul, he pulled my resumé from the folder and scanned it. “Interesting job history.”
I couldn’t help a wince. “It’s a tough economy.”
“Yes, but two months at The Lotus Circle? Six months at Chuck E. Cheese? U-Stuff Taxidermy?” He looked up from my resumé, the most endearing frown making a dent between his eyebrows. Oh, how I wanted to feel that crease in his flesh.
“Only one month there.”
“What do you have, Job Attention Deficit Disorder?” Those eyes sent me a sexy green sparkle.
“Undiagnosed.”
A smile tugged the corner of his mouth and I watched the scar retreat up his cheek. Without the scar, his face would have been almost too pretty. But the scar, and a bump on his nose that I knew meant it had once been broken, kept him on the rugged side of fucking gorgeous. And then there was the animalistic heat he gave off. Quite a feat, under his crisp business suit.
“Well, Ms. Arthur, I have a feeling you’d fit in well here.”
I wasn’t entirely sure that was a compliment, given the Corporate Zombie decor. “Thanks.”
“Can you start on Monday?”
“Uh…sure.” I inwardly danced a jig. Hired! At last! That meant I could skip my Monday appointment at the hospital to participate in a blood sugar experiment that would pay me fifty dollars. “But…silly question, I know, but what is it that Cowell & Dirk does?”
“We’ll get to all that during the training period.” Simon Dirk frowned. Had I asked something inappropriate? “Oh, and we’d like you to wear this on your first day.” From behind the receptionist’s desk, he produced a white box with a fancy department store logo I didn’t recognize. “If, that is, you’re serious about working here.”
What did I need to do to convince him? “I’m serious. It’s either that or sell my blood by the pint.”
He chuckled. I hoped I would be answering to him personally.
Little did I know how personally.


Find Juniper at http://www.juniperbell.com/

Purchase at Mybookstoreandmore.com

Thanks for the egg-cerpt,

Tina

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Egg-cerpt by April Dawn


Crushing Desire by April Dawn

buy it here - http://www.breathlesspress.com/erotic/crushing-desire.html


Blurb

Reena Harrison is anything but the fashion, but despite her flaws, she has several suitors. Unfortunately, the one man she has always loved is not one of them. After things go dreadfully wrong with a suitor and her family, she finds herself asking Joshua a peculiar favor.

Joshua Sinclair has long had a fascination with the tall beauty. After years of denying his feelings for Reena in pure military fashion, he finds himself thrown together with her in an out of control scheme. How can he possibly rule his emotions when he finds himself posing as the sensuous woman's husband?

Excerpt-

“It sounds like the guests are arriving.” Reena plucked a flower, spinning it in her fingers as she stood.

“All the more reason you should be on your way.” Emily eyed the darkening sky, not quite rolling her eyes at Reena. “I should have brought a whip with me. It would have moved you along faster.”

Reena winced. She knew she should hasten into the tent and greet her guests, but the longer she waited, the more she could imagine the pleasant possibilities and ignore the disagreeable ones. Perhaps she would enter, and Joshua would be awaiting her, eyes shining, hand extended for the first dance. He would fight away all others who asked for a dance, then kiss her deeply, telling her he loved her too.

Sighing, she trudged on, knowing it more probable that he would spend the evening sitting in the corner with his eyes on the floor, and she would spend it pining for him.

The candles and torches, which lit the fluttering canvas, cast a magical glow on the night. Entering the tent, she found herself greeted by a cheer as the first chord of a favorite country dance was struck. Merry voices called loudly, and dancers took their positions.

“Come, come.” An excited Daniel Dubois encouraged Reena onto the dancer’s line.

She took her place, the corners of her traitorous lips lifting against her will. Her mind wanted to hold on to her worries, to hold on to thoughts of Joshua, but her body wanted to dance. Whirling across the floor, she glimpsed Joshua for the first time. He sat in the corner, eyes downcast. His gaze rose to meet hers. Her heart caught in her throat, and she found it hard to breathe past the lump it formed. She missed a step in the dance and shrugged her apology to Dan, falling back into line with him.

Trying to focus on the steps, which by and large came so naturally to her, Reena kept her eyes on Dan. But she could feel Joshua’s gaze. Tingling heat filled her cheeks and spread down her neck to settle in her belly.

Whirling into a turn, she followed the others in the dance, coming in to touch hands with Dan, and then stepping away again. She glanced back toward the darkened corner where Joshua sat. He was still so attractive, though perhaps a bit thinner. His black waistcoat and breeches showed his mourning, but his eyes showed something else: a profound craving. A heat that burned her from across the interior of the tent.

The last notes of the dance played, and Reena turned, curtsying at Dan.

“Merci, Monsieur Dubois.” He looked devastatingly handsome with his dark hair, buff breaches, and tan waistcoat. But her gaze moved right past him, gliding over his shoulder to the spot where Joshua had been but a moment ago. “If you would excuse me, I must greet my uncle.”

Reena surveyed the room, searching for Joshua. There was a small band and a table filled with refreshments for the small group. A number of chairs lined the walls for those who wished to rest, but Joshua was nowhere to be found.

“Where could he have gone?” she mumbled to herself and moved to the opening in the tent, eyes on the room. She stood at the entrance, watching as the next set of dancers took their places. With her bottom lip in a tight hold between her teeth, Reena snuck out.

The darkness was near absolute after being inside the well lit tent. She could make out two figures in the darkness beside the tent. They stood very close, almost intimate.

“You are stunning tonight, my sweet one,” The male voice said before lowering his head to the woman in his arms.

Reena looked away, her fingers curling in the folds of her skirt. She had always wondered what it would be like to kiss Joshua like that. Her gaze slid back to the whispering couple, and her heart beat harder in her chest. She should move on, she knew it, but her mind had filled with the fantasy images of Joshua kissing her as Dan had in that alleyway so long ago. Better still, as this man now kissed his woman in the consuming shadows of the night.

Averting her eyes, she shook the daydream from her head and continued her search. It was not good to linger on things that were not to be. Joshua had never shown interest in her before. Though his eyes had lingered on her tonight.

The torches that lit the edges of the garden illuminated a lone figure sitting on a bench, head in hands. Something in the strength of his build and the dejected way he slumped told her it was Joshua, regardless of the shadows. Soft music filled the silence of the night beyond the tent. She stepped forward, hesitant to break into his isolation.

"You shouldn't be out here, Reena. You should be in there, dancing and enjoying yourself." Joshua sat up, eyes rimmed with dark circles, his countenance stiff.

The use of her given name sent a thrill through her, raising goose flesh from her head to her toe. She took another small step; sure she hadn't made a noise. How had he known she was even there?

"So should you," Reena said softly, her eyes gliding over his lean form. Her heart welled, seeing the man before her, so decimated by grief. Eyes tearing, she bit her lip, trying not to think of the great love he must have shared with his departed wife. Trying not to be selfish and wish that love were hers.

He rose from the bench, facing her, his face illuminated somewhat in the torchlight. His gaze wandered to the well-lit room from which music and frivolity emanated.

"Go inside, Miss Harrison, I'm not fit for company yet." His gaze returned to his shoes.

"I don't mind staying here with you. You are always enjoyable company to me."

His eyes met hers. They blazed with ferocious intensity, burning into her, holding her entranced. Her pulse thundered in her ears, and her breathing became shallow. It seemed neither of them had moved, but in the next instant, she was in his arms. First he only held her, as if his life depended on the heat and energy of her body. His strength and warmth seared through the material of her dress. Reena pressed herself closer, clinging to his arms as he held her against his chest.

For a moment, that was enough. They held each other in the night without a sound. Then they were kissing. His tongue found its way into her mouth and made Dan's kiss meaningless. There was something powerful and intimate about this stolen moment. Fire built in her body as his kiss deepened, Reena moaned deep in her throat. -----

Thank you April for your egg-cerpt,

Tina

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Egg-cerpt from My First Book - Pregnancy Plan


Derek entered the condo exhausted from a day at the lake. He wanted a cold beer and a hot shower, in that order.



Good thing he’d strong armed his brother into taking Kelly away for the weekend. It gave him the place to himself, and Jason and Kelly could use the relief from the stress of planning their wedding.


Removing his sweaty shirt, he threw it over his shoulder, opened the refrigerator and pulled out a Bud. He opened it with a quick twist of his wrist, then poured the cold liquid down his throat.


Now the shower.


He stepped around the bar that separated the kitchen from the dining area, saw the light on the answering machine blink, and hit the button.


“Uh, Jason, it’s Jillian.”


A picture of a shapely woman flashed through Derek’s mind.


“I don’t want you to worry. I’m not pregnant...”


“Holy shit!” Every big-brother, over-protective gene in his body kicked into gear.
The rest of the message was obliterated by the sound of Derek’s beer bottle shattering on the floor when his fist connected with the wall.


Was this the reason Kelly was having second thoughts about marrying Jason?



Buy Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/pregnancy-plan

Hope you are enjoying the egg-cerpts,

Tina
www.tinagayle.net

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Happy Eighteenth Birthday


Hi everyone,

We are taking a break from Egg-cerpts to celebrate my son's birthday.

An amazing kid, he's everything a mother could ask for in a son.


At fifteen, he received his black belt in karate. I can't tell you how many times my heart skipped a beat during one of his tournaments.



Now involved in drama, I love watching him on stage.

Some day you may see him on the big scene, but first it off to college in the fall.

Here's to an awesome birthday, son.

Love ya,

Mom

Monday, March 1, 2010

Egg-cerpt from Lizzie Starr



Blue Keltic Moon


Buy link: http://www.wingsepress.com/Bookstore/Blue%20Keltic%20Moon.htm

Blurb:

Duty before love. As much as Branna's heart protested, Gowthaman would have to wiat until she returned with the rescued Alfar-Sindhu prince.

Love before self. Following Breanna into the world between worlds, Gowthaman faced the pains of his past, riskes his intellect, his sanity and his life. For her.

Destiny before all. In the time of the blue Keltic moon.


Excerpt:

The opening scenes of the movie flickered on the huge screen and he blinked at the odd, science fiction images. Bree gave half a chuckle. “I love this movie.” Then she leaned close again. “I can’t believe I’ve never made you watch this with me.” The low, sultry tone of her words vibrated through him like a song. A fey angel’s song. Breanna’s song.

He turned his head and bumped her nose with his. She gulped back a gasp but didn’t move away. He could kiss her now, in the movie darkness. But not the kiss he wished to bestow upon her; how could he, when he was undeserving?

Tiny frown lines marked the downturn of her lips as if she knew his thoughts.

“We should...” he started, then cleared his throat of the words hovering there.

“I think a better...” Bree said at the same time.

“Shh.” A wadded napkin landed on Bree’s outstretched arm. Chance’s movements rustled from the overstuffed floor pillows. “You’re the one who said we’ve gotta watch a movie, so be quiet.” He laughed, spoiling his stern reprimand.

“Okay, okay. I’m watching the movie.” Bree rolled her eyes as she sank against the back cushions. She lifted her soda can in a sarcastic salute after Chance focused on the screen. “Brat.”

The interruption had been timely. Unsure exactly what Chance had interrupted, and vaguely angered with the young man, Gowthaman stored his erratic thoughts away and after a quick glance at Bree, determined to watch the movie. No thinking, no action, just mindless drivel to take him away from his concerns.

After all, that was what his Breanna wanted. Wasn’t it?

The distraction worked—for a short while. He even found himself identifying with one of the characters. Until the actors portraying actors arrived on a real space-going ship modeled after the vessel on their television show. Until his hand bumped Bree’s in the popcorn bowl when they both tried to keep the bowl from tipping. Until she twined her fingers with his, moved the bowl and scooted closer, resting their joined hands on her thigh.

Without turning his head, he glanced sideways at her. A tiny smile accented the fullness of her lower lip. The tip of her tongue swiped at a shiny spot of salty butter at the corner of her mouth. Gowthaman clawed the fingers of his free hand into the furniture arm. The aching need to kiss her, to show her his love rumbled deep in his chest. He released a slow breath, the roar of movie battle covering the low sound of his indiscretion.

Perhaps if he did kiss her, he would be able to take control of his wayward emotions. He glanced at her again. Seeming oblivious of his internal struggle, she laughed at the movie actors.

He should kiss her. He would after the movie. One kiss then he could return to his journal and complete the preparations needed to send the mission off successfully. Just one kiss.

After all, that was what his Breanna wanted. Wasn’t it?

*~*romance with a sparkling twist*~*


Blue Keltic Moon


Find Lizzie at:
http://starrwords.blogspot.com/

http://www.lizziestarr.com/

Thanks Lizzie, I always enjoy your books.

You are awesome,

Tina