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From CHANGING FACES, a paranormal romance novel featuring transgender issues; this excerpt features Elaine Foster, who is in love with Allen Bridgeway:
****
Allen started to play Ave Maria. Before he got four measures in, I saw people dabbing at their eyes.
Of course, Jolene and Paula both looked beautiful, Jolene tall and buxom in blue, Paula petite and dainty in grey and white. So that might've been it…but I still think Allen's playing had a great deal to do with it, too.
I went to Allen, unnoticed in the crowd, and squeezed his shoulder. He put his clarinet down, and grabbed my hand; as I had been about to hold his hand, I had no problem with that at all.
We could barely see Paula's blonde head back here, due to the crowd, but it didn't matter. We were ready to play again long before Paula and Jolene shared their first kiss as a married couple, and before the audience had finished applauding, we were playing recessional music—Mendelssohn, I thought—that Allen had arranged for two clarinets.
After a while, everyone had gone toward the refreshment table but us. But before we could go get something, Jolene came up to us and insisted that we get our pictures taken. I hate having my picture taken, as my outer self doesn't always match my inner self…and even on a day like today, where I felt more feminine than not, I still hated having the flower in my hair memorialized for all time.
Still, Allen's kiss on the cheek was nice, and my smile at him was genuine. He was truly a good man, the best person I've ever known…someday soon, I'd have to tell him the truth about me.
And if he still wanted to marry me then, I'd let him.
****Barb Caffrey's Amazon Page
Barb Caffrey's Elfyverse
BTW, CHANGING FACES is due out later this year (forgot to say that).
This is a snippet from Always Forgotten (title subject to change) that is on my schedule to submit to a publisher in the next month. As such it has not gone through edits yet. Please excuse any typos etc.
“I still don’t understand why I’ll forget everything,” Ethan said. “Are you planning on drugging me or something?”
“Certainly not.”
“Then why would I have sudden amnesia?”
“Because I’m cursed.”
“Excuse me?” Caleb couldn’t have said what he had thought he did.
“I was a rather promiscuous young man,” Caleb explained with a grim smile. “I screwed around with as many men as I could, never going back for seconds, and rarely even bothering to remember their names. Then one day I fucked the wrong man. He was a warlock and took offence to my fuck ‘em and leave ‘em attitude. He cursed me for forgetting him so quickly, and from that day forward every man I’ve had sex with has immediately forgotten me.”
Ethan laughed. He couldn’t help it, even though Caleb appeared affronted at his reaction. He reined his mirth back to a sensible level so he could explain. “I’m sorry, but if you weren’t bothering to remember the men you slept with, why would you care if they couldn’t remember you?”
“At first I wasn’t bothered, but after a while I came to learn that each man I fucked found love with another immediately afterwards. I became envious of what they had and wanted it for myself, yet I’m cursed to be forgotten.”
“Until a man comes back to you?” Ethan asked.
“Yes.”
“How long have you been waiting?”
Caleb frowned in concentration. “Just over two hundred years.”
“What?” Of all the things Ethan had heard in the last few minutes, this was the one piece of information that might just tip him over the edge.
http://lmbrownauthor.wordpress.com
I am delighted to announce the publication of BLUE BONNETS, Book 2 of the DANCING FOR THE DEVIL Trilogy, a historical romance set in Scotland. Here is the link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Bonnets-Dancing-Devil-Book-ebook/dp/B019E15RTE/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Here is my snippet, I hope you'll enjoy it!
‘Why did you lie to me?’
‘I didn’t.’ She didn’t even look at him but carried on stacking the dirty tumblers up. She then snapped shut the lid of the jam jar and brushed the crumbs off the table top into the palm of her hand. When she threw the crumbs into the fire, the flames hissed and flared.
Like his temper.
He strode towards her, stopping only a couple of paces from her.
‘You did lie. You heard the McKenzies…The question is why.’
The rush of heat to her cheeks didn’t escape his attention, and neither did the trembling of her hands as she caught the sides of the plaid slipping off her shoulders. So she wasn’t that cool and composed after all. He narrowed his eyes, hardened his voice.
‘I want answers, and I want them now. Who are you? McRae’s mistress? A whore he picked up in the docks in Algiers?’
She gasped, the plaid dropped down from her shoulders onto the floor but this time she didn’t seem to notice. The fire behind her outlined the contours of her body, the curve of her waist and the swell of her hips. Her blonde hair fell in tight curls and ringlets down to the small of her back, her lips parted, her breasts stretched the thin fabric of the nightdress with every breath she took. She looked as innocent as an angel, as tempting as sin.
He clenched his jaw and stepped closer. Some angel she was. She would damn well explain herself even if he had to pull the truth out of her the hard way.
You can find out more about Marie Laval's novels at http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00A03UV3I/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Marie+Laval&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Marie+Laval&sort=relevancerank
Rachel Harris was abandoned as a baby on the steps of a church-run children’s home in England and later adopted. Who was her birth mother and what were the circumstances which led her to give up her baby?
Searching for someone who doesn’t want to be found seems a hopeless task until Rachel meets Matthew Williams, a Church of England clergyman.
Then the anonymous and increasingly frightening attempts to end their relationship begin. Are these actions connected to the mysterious events surrounding Rachel’s birth?
The Image of Her by Lorna Peel - Coming in 2016
This is the room,” she said, opening the door. “Delightful décor. Circa 1940, I’d say.” She fought to control a smile when she saw his lips part in horror as his eyes travelled across the faded floral wallpaper.
“Delightful is one word for it,” he said in an attempt to be diplomatic.
“I’ll be decorating as soon as I can,” she assured him.
“What colour?”
“Well, something warm…maybe a deep yellow?”
His eyebrows rose and he nodded, pushing the door open further, and stepping inside to get a better look. The old door swung around on its hinges, hit the wardrobe standing behind, knocking a box off the top. Rachel watched as, naturally, the lid flew off and the contents scattered across the floor. Both fell to their knees and began to gather the sheets of paper together.
“Oh, God, trust me.”
“It’s all right.” She caught him glancing at one of the many microfilm print-outs from the local newspaper in his hands. Plea for Abandoned Baby’s Mother to Come Forward. “She didn’t. My adoptive mum couldn’t have any more children after my brother, Rick, so she and Dad adopted me when I was a year old.”
“A year old?” He sounded puzzled.
“I was in a children’s home and then fostered in case my birth mother did turn up. But she never did.”
“Have you ever tried to find her or your biological father?”
“I began to but didn’t get very far.” She sat back on her heels. “According to my file, I was abandoned on the steps of the children’s home in Telbury with a birth certificate tucked inside the shawl. The certificate stated my name, date of birth, and place of birth—which was Aldabury Maternity Hospital—and my birth mother’s name and address. All I have is my first name and date and place of birth. Everything else regarding my birth mother on the certificate seems to be false.”
Lorna Peel's Amazon Author Page
Lorna Peel's Website
This sounds really good.
Thanks Elayne.
Here is a snippet from my short story - Come to Me: A Love in a Bottle Short Story. Release date is February 3rd, 2016, but my newsletter subscribers who have signed up by January 31st, 2016 will get to read it for free. You can sign up for my newsletter below.
Come to Me: A Love in a Bottle short story
Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony series
Cassandra slammed on the brakes. The Rabbit’s tires skittered on the gravel before bouncing against the cement bumper. The shift stick put up a struggle, but she finally managed to shove the handle into first gear. As the rumble of the engine died, silence filled the early-afternoon air.
She really needed to take her car to a mechanic, but who had time? As long as the Volkswagen still ran, well, that was a blessing. The good news—the parking lot was almost empty. The bad news—Adam Harkness caught the whole episode. Heat rose to her cheeks.
He leaned against his red F-250 truck. With his arms crossed over his chest, his denim coat fit snug over his wide shoulders. Even under the thickness of the material, the definition of his firm biceps molded to the fabric. Tight jeans hugged his hips and ended in a pair of Keen hiking boots. He covered his mouth, but couldn’t quite hide the grin that radiated from his piercing green eyes. Catching her gaze, he raised his hand. With a graceful move, he smoothed his shoulder-length brown hair away from his face. Shoot. No one had the right to look that good.
Rosalieredd.com
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THE CARESS OF A COMMANDER by Linda Rae Sande
“It appears as if this palm tree has decided to claim the next dance with you. Perhaps you’ll grant me the one after that?”
Lucida’s eyes widened when she looked up to find the Earl of Bellingham looking down on her, mischief apparent in his hazel eyes.
For a moment, Lucida was left speechless. Obviously, the earl had paid witness to the palm moving in her direction just as she suspected it had done! Perhaps he had even seen its frond fondling her shoulder!
And now he had come to rescue her!
Would he challenge the potted plant to a duel, she wondered? For having impugned her honor by caressing her bare shoulder without her permission to do? For nearly grabbing onto her sleeve so she would be forced to fight with the devilish frond until she would have to tear it from its leaf in order to escape? But, no, she realized as she remembered the rest of what he had said about accepting its offer of a dance.
Did he honestly think she would accept the offer of a dance from a potted palm? Why, she would be left doing all the work of leading the dance given the palm was quite secure in its Chinese pot!
And then she realized the earl was teasing her, his lips slowly spreading into a grin that made him appear far more handsome then he did when she had watched him dance the waltz with Lady Jane.
Her own lips soon matched his before she dipped a curtsy. “I actually gave the palm my apologies only a moment ago,” she replied with a roll of her eyes. “He was being rather too friendly given we’ve never been properly introduced,” she explained as she angled her head. “And now I fear he didn’t take it well,” she added, moving a few inches farther away from the insistent frond.
Kindle
Linda Rae's Amazon Author Page
From THE GUARDIAN'S WITCH by Ruth A. Casie - www.RuthACasie.blogspot.com
currently on sale for $0.99 http://amzn.to/1Qjmjdr
The berries Lisbeth had gathered tumbled forgotten from her hands. A tremor touched her lips while the vision slammed behind her eyes. She didn’t doubt the vision’s truth. Sometimes a bright light, warm and comforting, accompanied the vision; other times the wind howled, cold and disturbing. Today, panic clearly filled the air.
She spun around trying to pinpoint a direction and abruptly stopped. Facing south, she licked her lips nervously and tasted the sweetness of fresh water. A rushing sound burst in her ears. The river. Her head snapped east toward the river path and she ran. As she careened down the narrow trail, the outstretched branches tugged at her dress, pulled off her shawl and clawed at her face and arms. She took no notice. The cadence of her footfalls beat out a mantra, not him, not him, not him. She rushed on faster, mumbling enchanted words under her breath.
She exploded out of the forest and stood on the riverbank as the bridge gave way, sending the horse and rider plunging into the angry current. Swiftly the horse surfaced and headed for shore with an empty saddle. She stood on the bank, still mumbling as she scanned the river until she glimpsed a clear red aura shining deep in its middle. Her relief was momentary when the blackness began to creep in. There wasn’t much time.
Quickly she pulled off her heavy dress and, wearing only her chemise, dove into the river. Save him was her only thought. Down she plunged kicking hard against the current. The usually clear water, now choked with mud, churned with debris. She screamed the words in her head and made her demands. In response, the current slowed and as the mud began to settle, a lifeless hand beckoned to her from below.
DESIGNED FOR YOU by Jo Grafford
First book in the For You Series
Hardworking Jillian Lang has little time for dating. If only she could design the perfect match for herself as easily as she creates beautiful spaces for her clients to live and work at Lang Interiors.
When Holland Sparks – smoking hot owner of a major resort conglomerate – applies to become her office manager, she hires him in a heartbeat. Sure, her inner conscious is clanging a thousand warning bells about why a billionaire would possibly want to work at a fast-growing startup company. She’s not buying his claim to boredom or his hunt for a new challenge. But she’d be a fool to turn down a man of his expertise. He’s clearly the best candidate for the job…and for her heart. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Unfortunately, an explosive attraction is not the only thing that springs between them. With a cyber stalker on her heels, a landlord determined to bed her, and a deadly secret unfolding from her childhood, Jillian worries she might be a little more of a challenge than Holland bargained for. Will he stand by her when her troubles reach the boiling point, or will she be forced to scrap her designs on the man of her dreams?
PreOrder sale on: Amazon
Happy reading!
JO
Visit my Website to receive a free copy of one of my bestselling stories :)
This sounds like a really riveting read, Marie!
THE FLING THING (A Christmas Quickie) by Maggie Le Page
I released this Christmas-themed novelette in December - a quick, fun, sometimes steamy read ;) Here's a cheeky snippet for your Sunday reading pleasure :)
-----
My heart tripped then raced.
He stopped in front of me.
Butterflies fluttered in my belly. I took another sip of wine, and his mouth curved up at one corner. He intercepted my glass, redirecting it his way, and drank a mouthful himself.
“You’re supposed to say please,” I said.
“Please,” he said, then brought his Bordeaux mouth down on mine in a sizzling French kiss.
When we eventually drew apart he looked at me with his trademark cheeky smile. “Mmm, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“What am I welcome to? This?” He stole another kiss. “Or this?”
He reached for my glass again, but this time I was ready for him and moved the glass out of his way—or tried to. His hand collided with the glass, spilling a little wine.
“Oops.” He grimaced. “Sorry.”
Wine trickled down my chest.
His gaze dropped.
He cleared his throat. “On second thoughts, I’m not sorry.”
And he ducked his head, homing in on my chest with a throaty growl.
I backed up against the table, giggling, but my laughter faded to a sigh as his lips and tongue came down on my skin, burning a hot trail where the wine had spilled. My pulse leapt. I brought my free hand up to his head, holding him close. Arched towards his mouth.
The wine trickled lower. His tongue gave chase and I shuddered against him. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. And when he pushed aside the fur trim of my bodice and licked a little further, it was official. I was one big, throbbing pulse, and if he didn’t do something about it real soon, I’d time down to zero and splatter myself all over the boardroom.
-----
THE FLING THING is just 99c/99p and available from the usual digital outlets, including:
Amazon - myBook.to/TFF
And you'll make my day if you come and say hi on my FB page!
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/maggielepage
Here's an excerpt from my #suspensethriller novel, dropping on Tuesday the 26th. Steal It All is #3 in the series.
Once in her apartment, Beth opened the bottle of Gabbiano Chianti Classico,pouring it into fat-bowled wine glasses. Donovan raised an eyebrow. “This is a good start. Next on the list is food. Are you interested in going out, or would you
like me to cook for you? A nice truffled risotto with chicken parm…what?” She’d given him a look.
Beth took a sip, smiled and placed the glass back on the coffee table, her lips fresh-stained with a wine blush. “Well, we can talk about that later. First off, I was thinking you may want to see my shoulder. You know, see if it healed.” She took his hand and encouraged him toward her trim bedroom.
Sean poked his head in the doorway and took a quick look around. “Not a lot of room here. I may not be able to avoid brushing up against you while we study your war wounds.” She had his sweater up and over his head, and was unbuttoning
his shirt.
He pulled her in to him, and helped her to undress. “You recall that I, ah, wasn’t actually the one who got shot.” He kissed her now bare throat. “But if it will make you more comfortable if neither of us is dressed, then I’m game.”
“I don’t recall you talking so much last time we met.” She’d unbuttoned the single clasp on the side of her skirt, and it fell to the floor. His pants followed and, a second later, she pulled back the coverlet.
He stopped, stricken by the fresh pink circle just between her left arm and sternum. His finger traced a pair of opposing, radiating lines of stitch marks that led away from it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was so close to your heart.”
The soft pad of her index finger met his lips. “Shh. You saved my career, and my life. So, my body has a tattoo unlike anyone else’s. No big deal. And speaking of my body?” Her face was a question, while her finger dropped from his mouth to explore other lines, other angles.
“Yeah, we probably don’t have to say anything else. Just one more thing.”
Beth’s face was buried in his neck, her words muffled, and she moved his hand over to cover a breast.
“I missed you, Beth. I’m awfully happy to be here.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She surfaced to offer an ear-to-ear grin. “Meanwhile, there are places in London you haven’t visited, mister. Now, get to work.” She followed her own advice.
http://www.amazon.com/Steal-All-Donovan-Thief-Hire-ebook/dp/B01A4QF0N6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1453670257&sr=8-1&keywords=Steal+It+All
(Apologies for the previous deletions, I couldn't get the link to work. Hope it does now!)
This is from BELOVED ENEMY, the third in the 'Destiny Trilogy' although each book can be read as a 'standalone' romance.
'Beloved Enemy is scheduled for release by The Wild Rose Press on 11th March 2016.
Cat Kincaid are stranded together on a hostile planet. she has sworn to kill him, to avenge the death of her sister, but when Kerry is attacked by a tentacle river monster, they end up fighting it together.
EXCERPT:
“It seems I was mistaken about the creature being
dead.” Kerry prodded the smouldering mass with his
boot and looked across over the water. “It is now.” He
leaned down and grasped her wrist to haul her to her
feet. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Her shoulder was sore and
probably bruised but she’d live.
She tried to control her shivering. The incident
affected her more than she wanted to admit. Kerry’s
proximity—naked to the waist, his lithe body shining
from the water droplets that still clung to his skin, and
his legs swathed in tight black leather—did nothing to
help. The last thing she wanted was for him to realize
how scared she’d been when she thought a snake
attacked her.
“Thanks. That was close. It would have been a bit
ironic if I’d been killed by the same creature I saved
you from.”
She realized he still grasped her wrist. She tried to
move away, but he pulled her back, obliging her to turn
to him.
“You’re trembling.”
“I’m fine.”
“No,” he said. “You’re not.” He pulled her closer
and his eyes softened, his gaze holding her mesmerized.
She opened her mouth to try to speak, but in the same
instant, he put his hand under her chin and his lips
closed over hers.
The previous books in the series are available at:
<a href="http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=138</a>
Beachcomber Trouble by Stephanie Queen
"The vibration of his mobile phone in the pocket of his cargo shorts against his right thigh felt like a relief. He didn’t stop running, but slowed enough to slip it out as it stopped buzzing and went to voicemail. He glanced at the caller ID.
He stopped short in the sand.
It wasn’t Shana. He recognized the number. A cold freeze went through him—the kind that slowed his heart beat to calm him, the kind that demanded he slow the alarmed thoughts bursting in his head."
Pre-Order:
AMAZON
iBOOKS
StephanieQueen.com
The Sun King by Sandra Kyle (Releases February 4th)
Home
The figure crossed the door’s threshold into the hall. My breath hitched when I saw that it was King Louis, the typical regal attire he wore replaced by a flowing white shirt and riding breeches. His shoulder-length brown hair was mussed. Even in the torch-lit hallway he glowed like the sun.
“Sleep well, my dear.” His hand slid to the back of Marissa’s neck, pulling her through the doorway and into the hall. The gauzy material of her nightgown hinted at the curves beneath. His lips pushed against hers. A moan rose from her throat. “Feel better.” She nodded and closed the door softly.
My heart, already racing from the scene I’d chanced upon, beat even faster when I watched him head in my direction. I pressed against the wall, willing myself to disappear. His eyes widened when he rounded the corner. I curtsied, frozen in place, and stared at the ground.
He placed the tips of his fingers beneath my chin.
I gasped at his touch.
He lifted my head with little effort. With his face close enough for me to count the long lashes above now inky blue eyes, his gaze focused intently upon me. I heard my own breath quicken as it left my open mouth. His jaw clenched. He breathed deeply through his nose over and over. A quick lick of his lips caused them to shine in the firelight.
His mouth tempted me. He moved closer. Suddenly, there was a change in his countenance. He whispered, “Not yet.”
He stepped back and smiled. Without another word, I watched him walk down the hall to knock on Mathilde’s bedroom door. Seconds ticked by. He looked over at me again with a devilish grin. When the door finally opened, he turned in greeting. “Sweet Mathilde.” He quickly accepted the welcome into her chamber. I was left alone in stunned silence.
link didn't work when I tried to add it... you can find my author page at www.sandrakyle.com :-)
Lots of heat in this excerpt. Enjoyed it. :-)
From the #fantasy Hatchling's Mate Book 3 of the Dragshi Chronicles. Everyone assumed Lexii and Talann's futures lay together. Fate decreed otherwise. Available for pre-order. Release date February 1st.
To order Hatchling's Mate or the other books in the Dragshi Chronicles go to Amazon Author Page
Lexii screamed. The seidheirn beneath her dropped to its knees, an arrow protruding its neck. Blood stained the bright feathers.
Glyn and Kynan slipped their bows from the leather sheaths. Deft movements strung the weapons, snagged and notched arrows. “Up there.” Kynan pointed to a ledge high above their heads. The twang of their arrows release was lost in the sounds of wounded animals, but the scream of the man who windmilled in the air proved the accuracy of the strikes.
Glyn dropped to the ground. “Lexii, you can’t stay. Take Buar. Kynan will see you to safety. Talann and I will follow shortly.”
“I can’t,” the other woman objected.
“Your mount is hurt. Go,” Glyn pushed. “Look, the dust is clearing. The way we came in is still open. Go! Now, while you can.”
Talann stepped up behind Lexii, ready to throw her into Buar’s saddle, no matter what the consequence. The need to get Lexii to safety competed with the urge to send Glyn away, but they only had two sound mounts.
Kynan was better to ensure Lexii’s safety, duty yelled.
Only if I can break through her resistance, Talann retorted.
The setting sun slipped behind the mountain peak plunging the valley into an early twilight. From the darkness just beyond the entrance, a single torch flickered into being, then another and another until a solid line of light streamed across the opening. “Dragshi, surrender and I may let you live. You have my word.”
Talann’s gaze stripped the mountainside bare, searching for a wild goat trail. But the sheer sides showed not a single handhold. There was no climbing to safety. The only way out of the valley was through the army or by wings. For several long moments, he stood staring at the solid line of torches. He glanced sideways at Glyn. Would she finally admit to her secret?
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