All across the internet people play a Thursday meme called Thursday 13. We'll play too!In comments, tempt us with a snippet up to thirteen sentences long. Don't forget your buy link and website/blog link.
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Discover great reads. Exquisite Quills' Thursday 13! http://exquisitequills.blogspot.com/
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This is a snippet of my contemporary romantic suspense A SPELL IN PROVENCE published by Accent Press.
He looked down. The light of the rising sun played on his face and made his green eyes seem deep and warm. Time slowed down. The noise from the crowd became muffled and distant, and all she could hear was the crystalline spring water trickling in the old fountain. The spring that ran through the forest between Manoir Coste and Bellefontaine and bound hearts and lives together, or so the spell said … Her heartbeat slowed, or maybe it stopped altogether. It was as if Fabien and she were alone. Desire, fear and another feeling she didn’t recognise overwhelmed her and made her dizzy.
A SPELL IN PROVENCE is available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spell-Provence-Marie-Laval-ebook/dp/B00RVQO8RM/ref=sr_1_10?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1421344692&sr=1-10&keywords=accent+press
and
http://www.amazon.com/A-Spell-Provence-Marie-Laval-ebook/dp/B00RVQO8RM
Thank you for reading the snippet!
THE DEVIL AND DANNA WEBSTER (a romance from Astraea Press available in all ebook formats: Kindle, Smashwords, Kobo, iTunes, B&N Online) is a good book for mothers and daughters to share.
Here's a snippet from Chapter One:
When my mother talked about Lori, she always got a funny look in her eye — not ha-ha funny but strange funny. When I was little, I never understood. As I got older, I wondered more about Lori, but I hardly ever asked because it just seemed to make my mother sad.
Yet, every now and then, I would say something or do something that made her sigh and exclaim: "You remind me so much of Lori!"
Not long ago, I was sitting on the living room couch reading a novel I found on the bookshelf. My mother walked into the room and gasped.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
She stared at me for a moment and shook her head. "No, but for a moment, it seemed like I was looking at Lori. I remember when she read Rebecca. She loved to read old-fashioned romances."
"Mom, what happened to Lori?"
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZYXW7K/
http://jacquelineseewald.blogspot.com
CAMPAIGN (Brad and Ryn's story)
A River City Novel
by E. Ayers
“Honey, I don’t bite. You don’t have to be afraid to talk to me.”
Ryn smiled. Pay attention. I am talking. She signed, “I am mute.”
The woman cocked her head and furrowed her brow.
“I am mute.”
“You’re dumb?”
Ryn closed her eyes. Hatred for being called dumb crawled up the back of her neck. She was an intelligent woman. She opened her eyes and shook her head. Slowly she spelled mute.
Amazon International Buy Links.
http://authl.it/B00LYWD668
Available as a Kindle Unlimited
Along Came Pauly
There isn’t enough L’Oreal on the planet to cover my white trash roots, Daria Jacks thought this as her black pump went tripping down the long, elegant staircase. Without her. The shoe clicked and clacked against the marble steps.
Her date, Samuel Lafayette, stiffened next to her.
The old adage about being able to dress her up but not take her anywhere came to Daria’s mind. Outclassed once again, her gaze swept over a ballroom filled with people who’d been born into money.
She’d been the kid with skinned knees for every major event in her life, except her birth. Each school picture sported a bandage on some part of her face.
Buy link: http://amzn.com/B00EN33QNI
Website: www.chrisreddingauthor.com
A snippet from Mariah's Marriage by Anne Stenhouse - http://goo.gl/JjY907
Her visitor smiled and she made a mental check. Aristocrats affected to be bored by everything. The boy had called him “your lordship” in his confusion, but Mariah thought it might turn out to be true. If so, he must find her enthusiasm gauche.
“Well, well, Miss Fox. I should like to advance your ideas. May I send my mother to call on you and your papa?” he asked.
“That would be delightful. I will take great pleasure in explaining my theories to her,” she replied.
“As to that, Miss Fox, you must not expect to be able to do too much talking on first meeting my mama,” Mr. Longreach said, and his smile broke into a grin that tempted Mariah to laugh. “Sir,” he said and executed a tight bow which Peter reluctantly matched. “Good-morning, Miss Fox.” Longreach extended a hand and shook Mariah’s. “I have enjoyed watching your skills and I will see the boy has the best attention and a good meal or two.”
From The Aphrodite Touch, first novella in my Aphrodite and Adonis series set on Cyprus- romance and mythology!
“Ah, one glance from your eyes, sweet Aphrodite, and the youth is awakening at last.”
They stood on the highest step of the ruined amphitheatre and watched as Jamie and Carla walked arm in arm to their car. Already, Aphrodite knew they had reached a new level of closeness, for a short time at least.
“They are a handsome pair, Adonis. Perhaps we might enjoy a small flirtation with them before they leave the island.” She smiled into his eyes, knowing he took little persuasion. “We should take a swim tomorrow.”
“So long as we are careful with their fragile human feelings. We must ensure they deepen their love for each other.” He crooked a finger under her chin and tilted her face up. “Flirtation, not complete interference, my precious love.”
http://www.amazon.com/Aphrodite-Touch-Adonis-Series-ebook/dp/B00CXXBN4O/
Website: http://ros-readingandwriting.blogspot.com
From Whirlwind Romance (M. S. Spencer, 2014):
“I never should have let you help me.”
“You didn’t have much choice, Armand. Besides, I couldn’t leave you in the mangrove swamp. It’s not done in my family.”
He shook his head. “And then I seduced you in the first five minutes of our acquaintance. I am a wicked man.”
Lacey thought back to that night—to the smells of sulphur, mud, and sex. She’d felt guilty then, believing it was her fault, that she’d thrown herself at him. Not the other way around. She looked up into Armand’s face. Black stubble covered his chin. His unruly hair, a little long now, matched his glistening black eyes. She reached an arm around his neck and drew him toward her. Just as their lips touched his eyes went wide, and he fell on top of her.
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Whirlwind-Romance-M-S-Spencer-ebook/dp/B00N105I4E/
See more at M. S. Spencer Tale Spinner: http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
From The Cowboy’s Little Surprise by Barbara White Daille
Tina hasn’t seen Cole since he left Cowboy Creek five years earlier. Now, he’s back—and has just discovered her secret.
“Why don’t you go explain the rules to Scott,” Cole told her son, “…while your mama explains a few things to me.”
“Okay.” Robbie headed toward the younger boy.
Tina could feel Cole’s angry gaze on her, could feel the rush of her own anger and confusion spreading through her. Again, she fought an overwhelming desire to hurry over to Robbie, grab him by the hand, and flee the hotel.
Running wasn’t the answer—not that she would choose that way out, anyhow. Neither was this light-headed, weak-kneed, schoolgirl-with-a-crush reaction. She squared her shoulders. If the time had come to tell Cole the truth, to make the explanations she’d spent five long years dreading, she’d stand straight and tall and look him in the eye.
And if it came down to a battle between them, she would give him the fight of her life—and Robbie’s.
For what seemed like forever, Cole stood staring at the boys in the sitting room.
Then he turned back to the desk, placed his palms flat on its surface, and glared at her. “When were you planning on telling me the boy is my son?”
Links:
The Cowboy’s Little Surprise, an April 2015 release, is up for preorder at your favorite bookseller, including: http://www.amzn.com/0373755643
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com
Thanks, Exquisite Quills!
Loving Leonardo (Book 1) by Rose Anderson. http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004XDGWL6 In this scene Ellie proposes to Nicolas.
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Were we to marry, I see advantage for the both of us outside this venture.”
“Advantage?”
“Yes, you’ll be free to love who you will without society casting rude speculations your way. And aside from my being free to be who I am, I’ll benefit by a social standing that will allow me to affect change from within society.”
I considered her a moment. Miss Elenora Schwaab was an extremely pleasant-looking young woman with her wise blue eyes and cinnamon hair. She was fit and fashionable, and without a doubt a highly-educated and intelligent person. Her ready humor and matter-of-factness were also quite appealing. Yes, I could see myself enjoying this woman’s companionship if nothing else.
Running down a list of potential advantages of marrying someone not shocked or repulsed by my nature, I surprised myself by finding her proposal no less than brilliant. Many marriages started with far less. Still, there was one bit that must be addressed. It had always been my understanding that one day I’d be pressed to marry and sire children.
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Buy all my books wherever books are sold. Sample the first chapters free on https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/333971 Stop by my blog for interesting topics all month long: http://calliopeswritingtablet.com/
:) You're welcome.
:)
From Civil War romance, Confederate Rose.
When he didn't move, she said, "Eat. Ye'll be needing yer strength."
"Pardon me?" He reached for the bottle.
"Ye've not looked outside, I take it."
"Outside?" He glanced at the gauze-covered window.
The sky appeared dark. After glancing at her, he rose to investigate. When he pulled back the curtain, the sight before him sent his stomach plummeting. Snow covered everything as far as he could see and continued to fall from the lead-colored sky with furious resolve. "This can't be. I have to get out of here today."
http://www.amazon.com/Confederate-Rose-Susan-Macatee/dp/1601545568/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_4
“Don’t worry. The whole family is behind you. We just thought it better if we didn’t all hover.”
Shifting from foot to foot, she wrung her hands together. A simple process of a changing of the guard for them, Amber’s arrival marked the end of the life Mattie loved.
The beautiful spirits around her didn’t understand how cruel humans could be to each other. What if she screwed up and the girl left? Or the girl hated living with a house full of spirits?
Unease pricked at Mattie’s mind. She had no experience in dealing with strangers. All her business associates understood her likes and didn’t force her to attend any social events.
A quick glance out the window, and a car rounded the fountain.
She wasn’t prepared to entertain Amber. How could she be? She never invited guests to the estate.
Summer's Growth by Tina Gayle
Read the 1st chapter at http://www.tinagayle.net/SGchapter.html
or purchase at B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summers-growth-tina-gayle/1116264676?ean=9781482503777
From Lord of the Broken Tower by Theda Hudson
He stared at her, a smile pulling one corner of his mouth up as he took her hand and shook it solemnly. It made him look incredibly attractive, and she wished he really was her lord and not just the owner of the manufactory she would supervise.
"I wanted to see what you'd make of things," he said, still holding on to her hand.
"I'm afraid I won't be doing more than assessing right now," she answered, wanting to pull her hand from his, but she couldn't find a way to extricate herself without seeming ungraceful. "I hope it won't take long and I can get to the meat of things."
Ashdon's smiled grew and revealed a hint of tooth behind his lips. "Oh, I hope so, too. I just hope you don't take too long to get there."
She did pull her hand away then. Was he talking of the manufactory or his words in the library?"
"Such beautiful color," Ashdon said softly. "What are you thinking? Perhaps I don't know what I truly have here."
http://amzn.com/B00FR6LT3E
http://www.lilacmoonbooks.com/theda-hudson/
First dates are always fun to write and this is a snippet from Mary and Joe's lunch date at a local deli.
"Hi there, sweetie, who's the hunk you've brought in with you today?" I didn't know who this woman was but she obviously had good taste. I liked her already.
When Mary blushed, I placed my hands on her shoulders. Trying to take reins of the conversation, I nodded to the couple and smiled. "My name is Joe, and it's a pleasure to meet you both."
Mary finally found her voice and further introductions were made. She leaned in closer and in a theatrical whisper to the man and woman in front of us, she said, "This is our first date." Then she winked at Ken and Rita.
"Well, you sure have come to right place, Joe," said Rita. "We have the best sandwiches in all of Golden Lake. What can I get you?" I surveyed the expansive menu board. It had over fifty sandwiches that all looked equally good as the one beside it.
PRINCESS OF THE LIGHT
N. N. Light
Buy here:
http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Light-N/dp/1502438453
Find out more here:
http://princessofthelight.wordpress.com
A MISSED FLIGHT by A.H. Scott (In this snippet, a twist of fate comes to a bitter airline passenger)
TSA agent with those sad eyes motioned his hand in a wave around the outside of the metal detector to this passenger, “Please, come this way, ma’am”.
Nancy walked behind him and was followed by the female agent, “Now, this is the type of service I am accustomed to”.
As this man pushed through a pair of slate grey, steel doors behind the TSA security station, Nancy was led through a restricted section of the terminal.
Consisting of a long hallway with six rooms on either side of the walls of sky blue color; Nancy was directed past several other passengers being questioned in a trio of those enclosures.
Man with the bushy moustache stopped directly in front of the last room on the left. Opening the door, he made a request of her, “Right in here, ma’am”.
Sense of relief in getting the apt treatment by a pair of wannabe purveyors of authority, Nancy whisked by him and peeked into the darkened room with a smile, “Is this the shortcut?”
At that moment, Nancy had an impression that the final room may have been an exit to the boarding area.
Blonde of short stature who looked like a plump Cabbage Patch doll responded to this woman’s carefree question with a quick action. Pushing Nancy inside of that room, this TSA agent’s soft voice turned into a vicious growl, “No, bitch!! It’s your final destination” Closing the door behind this pushy passenger.
For Nancy, the tables of power could shift in a snap. Or, in this instance a slamming door.
AMAZON - http://www.amazon.com/Missed-Flight-H-Scott-ebook/dp/B00EP5F43O/
(also find "A Missed Flight" at Barnes & Noble, Itunes and Smashwords)
Thank you Exquisite Quills !!!
A.H. Scott - http://www.angelfire.com/ahscottnyc/index.html
A.H. Scott Manic Readers - http://www.manicreaders.com/AHScott/
The Dead Man’s Treasure:
Rebecca’s hand shook as she reached for the box. It was a metal candy tin for peppermint bark. Maybe Grandpa had a sweet tooth? Or was this some random trash left by a tourist too lazy to bring it back to his car? She straightened and gazed down at the box. It had to hold the next clue. It would be too much of a coincidence – and too heartbreaking – if it were anything else.
She glanced at Sam and he nodded in encouragement, drawing close to her side. She swung open the lid. Several folded pieces of paper lay inside. A strip of masking tape on the inside lid had words in marker: “Take one and leave the others unless you are the last.”
Rebecca pulled out the top piece of paper and unfolded it.
Website sample: http://www.krisbock.com/the_dead_man_s_treasure__125081.htm
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SJXNBUG
Kindle e-book: http://bookShow.me/B00SJXNBUG
Print on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0692371672/
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dead-man-kris-bock/1121114539
ARE: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thedeadman039streasure-1733701-153.html
You just don’t expect to see gunfire at a wedding.
I know, because I’ve been in a lot of weddings, despite my well-known aversion to them. “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” is not just a cautionary adage, it’s my personal credo.
Having a gigolo for a father might have contributed something to that philosophy. Who really knows for sure?
Today Alexa, my best friend since grade school, glided down the aisle of the chapel to the accompaniment of a string quartet playing an elegant Handel air. For this wedding she wore a white strapless dress, complete with tulle and beaded embroidery that made all the women sigh as she passed. The low v-back and body-hugging mermaid shape, along with her icy blonde beauty, provoked quite a different response from the males in the congregation.
I clutched my single calla lily, watching her entrance with a mixture of awe and disbelief. How had Alexa persuaded me to be her maid of honor, again?
And again.
And yet again.
From I DO. . . OR DIE ~ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K5ZHAWQ
More info at www.AllAboutTheWriting.com
HER MIDNIGHT STARDUST COWBOYS, a ShapeShifter Seductions Presents Novel
*13 sentences*
"This is the one." Sherilyn hardly recognized her giddy voice. "It looks like I'm covered in flakes of diamond...the parts of me that are covered."
"Just like stardust on that beautiful body of yours, sweetheart."
Zance's tone felt like a wicked caress on her skin. Sherilyn glanced over her shoulder, seeing both lust and admiration in his eyes.
What woman could ever resist that look from a man?
Feeling like a forties era movie star, Sherilyn stared at her reflection in the tall panel of mirrors that surrounded her like a horseshoe.
The gown's decolletage displayed her bosom enticingly. Her naked back was framed to perfection by the drape of silvery platinum fabric.
Having posed in gowns for photographers once upon a time, Sherilyn was used to analyzing her appearance. Now she simply enjoyed herself, thrilled by how the gown slid and glittered over her curves as she turned back and forth.
She whirled toward Zance, the elegant swishing of the long gown music to her ears. It had been so long since she'd worn anything this glamorous.
~~~
Blurb-Excerpts-Link: ~http://savannakougar.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html~
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE SHEEP!
Savanna
Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~savannakougar.com~
Here's a snippet from my new release, Trancing the Tiger (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series, #1). On sale now for 99Cents!
“Hold on tight.” He reached back, seized her wrists, and clasped her hands together around his waist. “I don’t do slow.”
He revved the gas, the tires squealing while they pivoted around and peeled away. Her body slammed into his, her grasp cinching tighter as they sped through the streets. Lucy’s slender fingers spread across his abdomen, causing his muscles to tighten and his cock to throb. Was she purposefully teasing him with her velvety touch?
She slid her fingers beneath the hem of his t-shirt and his abs jerked as though sparked by a live wire. He growled once, in warning.
“Sorry. My fingers are cold. Do you mind?” Her murmur against his ear spiked his blood.
Buy link: http://amzn.to/1sUUIYa
Website: www.rachaelslate.com
Play the widget and find out your Chinese Zodiac sign!
Happy Chinese New Year!
The first page from False Start:“We need to talk.”
Startled by the deep growl, Meg Fulton looked up to the towering stack of testosterone filling her office doorway and cursed the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach.
She straightened her posture, ran her hand through her thick hair in an attempt to put all the strays back in place, and then reached for the lapels of the suit coat that wasn’t there. She felt vulnerable in her silk tank top and wished she had an extra layer to shield her from the menacing daggers targeted at her. Putting on the jacket would only make a spectacle of herself. The thin tank would have to do.
“Sure. Have a seat.” She crossed her legs and attempted to smile. Inwardly, Meg groaned. Connor McKay. She’d noticed him on the football field coaching his athletes and had not looked forward to the expected confrontation.
He remained in the doorway, making no move toward the empty seats across from her desk. His blond hair was short, barely longer than the scruff on his face, and as she looked up she saw his eyes—a fierce, fiery blue filled with accusation and something that ranged between confusion and lust.
Buy Link: http://bit.ly/FalseStart
Website: www.mariannerice.weebly.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/Mariannericeauthor
Here's a snippet from my comic YA urban fantasy/romance AN ELFY ON THE LOOSE, on sale right now for ninety-nine cents:
Up ahead, there was a blackness rimmed about by silvery, shadowy arms. Bruno wasn’t sure what it was. It didn’t feel inimical, exactly, but it also didn’t feel right...it looked like a vortex, or maybe a Gate, though Bruno had never seen one so wild and untamed before. But why would a Gate be out here, and where would it take him?
The pack pulled him into the blackness until he felt a brief moment of nothingness, almost as if they were in the "no-time" realm. As he stumbled and nearly dropped the packs, he realized that he was out of Geadhail Mebrugud. But…but…but…
Ahead was a gently shaded street he somehow recognized. But how…?
He shook his head. There had been that very brief period of nothingness…oh, yes. Now he knew where he was.
He was back in the Human Realm.
Now what?
Buy link: http://amzn.to/1p6xvQj
Website: http://elfyverse.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/barb.caffrey.1
LOVE WILL FIND YOU ~~ currently free on Amazon
“I hope there’s not another chick,” Katie said as she came down the stairs.
They all looked up at her, and a surge of pride ran through Ty. She must’ve grabbed a pair of his track pants and a T-shirt, and she looked sexy as hell.
“Nice meeting you, Katie,” Markus said.
As soon as she was near the last step, Tyson held out his hand and gently guided her next to him.
“These are my mates Markus and Oliver.”
“Nice meeting you both.”
“So much for the cricket game,” Oliver said, patting Ty on the back. “Nice job on the girl.” He turned towards Markus. “Let’s leave them in peace to have their wicked way upstairs. The game is
about to start.” Before leaving, Oliver placed a kiss on Katie’s cheek. “An absolute delight meeting you, sweet pea. How about dinner next time you’re in town?”
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Will-Find-Australian-Sports-ebook/dp/B00NMYIVDE/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
From "THE HUNTER’S BRIDE" one fantasy tale in Loves, Myths, and Monsters"
When all game warden Daren Abram, had to worry about was which lucky lady to woo, he comes to the realization that his town is being stalked by the reincarnation of the town’s legend.
Excerpt: A loud explosion echoed and re-echoed throughout the mountains. The thirty-eight year-old fat, jolly, Larry Wilson gleefully shouted into the air. “I got ‘er! I got ‘er,” and proudly ran after his wounded prey by following the paw tracks.
Panting and dashing blindly through the dense woods, Larry followed the blood trail until it faded out. Thoroughly shocked by what he saw, he cried out, “Oh, my god! I didn’t know there wuz other folks up here.” He edged closer. “I thought I wuz the only one who came up this high. I’m real sorry. I never shoot without spotting my mark. Can I help ya?” He laid down his weapon and carefully bent nearer.
“You bastard! You killed me.” The dying girl whispered and, with her last effort, scratched at his face.
Buy Here: MELANGE IN PRINT AND EBOOK:
http://www.melange-books.com/authors/joannemyers/LMM.html
LULU in print
http://www.lulu.com/shop/joanne-myers/loves-myths-and-monsters/paperback/product-21546632.html
AMAZON KINDLE STORE
http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Myths-Monsters-Collection-Urban-ebook/dp/B00JL3J4P4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1397151617&sr=1-1&keywords=Loves%2C+Myths+and+Monsters
http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
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