Monday, April 11, 2011

Jenna Howard's Scoring Lacey

Today I'm featuring Jenna Howard and her book Scoring Lacey




Lacey Magerin never expected her husband of twenty years to leave her for a twenty-two year old. She never expected her fifteen-year-old daughter to blame her for the divorce. Lacey also never expected Shayne Donnelly. The NHL goalie is her brother’s best friend and is ten years younger than her. Neither of them know the rules in this new game but that’s not stopping either of them from playing or finding love in the least likely place – on home ice.


EXCERPT:

Lacey’s heart galloped in her chest as he approached. He crouched down and brushed his fingers over her ankles. She gripped his shoulder as she shifted her balance. He gazed up at her as he palmed one stiletto off then set her foot down. Hands caressed slowly up her leg, moved to the other then stroked down. She lifted her left foot and the shoes were history.

He moved to his knees, his face level with her stomach as he idly ran his fingers up and down her legs.

“Why am I nervous?”

He slid his hands up under the jacket, caressed her ass then down to her ankles. Up and down, slow, measured strokes. “Because everything changes now. Now we’re two people. A man wanting a woman, a woman wanting a man. The minute I slide into your body, I become your lover, not your kid brother’s friend.” His fingers curled and he drew her panties down, his fingers still managing to caress her. He had calluses from the game and they rasped over her skin with a sensual texture. She lifted one foot then the other. “It all changes now, Lacey,” he said and lowered his mouth to her.

She cried out, dropping her hands to clutch his head as his tongue licked over her. He licked slowly, indulging himself. “Shayne.” She gripped him as the tip of his tongue slipped between the damp folds and sought out her clit. “Shayne!” Her knees buckled and he moved her to the bed.

She sank onto her back as he spread her legs wide, opening her up and making room for those shoulders of his.

“Pretty pussy,” he said before he lowered his head and pressed an open mouth kiss over her. She cried out, arching up as he proceeded to feast on her. He sucked, he licked, and he slid his tongue into her. She bowed, screaming when he bit her clit.

Holy God. What was he doing?

He bit her thigh, caressed her leg then returned to the promise he had made earlier. He dined on her pussy. Lips, tongue, teeth. They were everywhere. Her eyes snapped open she felt his tongue slowly circle lower. Never, ever, ever.

“When I said I was going to fuck you everywhere, Lace?” A finger replaced his tongue. “I meant it. Even here.”

God, she thought as his mouth returned to her pussy, tongue boldly thrusting as his finger lightly brushed over the soft skin at her ass. “Shayne!” His fingertip eased in and she felt his mouth move as cream spilled from her. The minute stretching was as disconcerting as him putting his finger there. Never, ever, ever, she thought, has anyone done this. His hand caressed down her leg then he lifted her foot to his shoulder.

A soft kiss was pressed at the curve of her knee and then he lifted her leg over his head, rolling her onto her stomach. “This ass,” he said with a little awe, his hands pushing up the jacket. “This luscious ass.”

Lying on her stomach, she propped herself up on her elbows and gazed at the man staring at her ass like it was the most amazing thing he had seen. Kevin had called it her bubble butt, had made her work the stairmaster in an attempt to deflate it. Hadn’t worked. Her ass was her ass. “Luscious?”

“Plump and ripe.” He met her gaze as he bit one cheek hard. She gasped, her back arching at the sensation. His eyes gleamed as he reached up and tugged on the back of his jacket. She sank down and let him strip it away. She rose once more, needing to see him.

“Fuck, Lace.” He caressed up her legs, over her bum, up her back then down. When he stood up, he lifted her legs, scooting her forward to rest her knees on the bed. The joys of strength. “Sweet God,” he whispered as his hand glided over her ass then down to her pussy.

She sank down, shuddering out a sigh as he caressed her with one hand. His other hand was coasting over her ass. His eyebrows rose and fell right before he delivered a loud, hard slap to a cheek. She cried out at the sensation, her hands fisting on the sheets. Holy hell, what was the man doing to her?

She felt herself spill over his fingers from the spank. He grabbed her and tossed her easily so she was on her back. She bounced twice before he was lying on her, his mouth claiming hers.

Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him close while her hands discovered how wide his shoulders were. “Naked, Shayne. Get naked. I want to see you.” He rose up on his knees and she watched in delighted horror as he grabbed the front of his silk shirt and ripped it open. God, he was hard everywhere. Muscles carved his flesh, dark hair covered his chest before disappearing behind his cummerbund. She scrambled onto her knees, her hands exploring all that tanned skin. He struggled out of the ruined shirt that looked like it cost the same as one of Kayla’s courses.

Had she ever been this hungry for a man?

Considering her sexual experience was the sum total of Kevin until tonight, the answer was an easy no.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Call For Submissions: Honky Tonk Hearts

Honky Tonk Hearts Lonely hearts seem to gravitate to the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. Owner and bartender, Gus Rankin, has seen his share of the wandering souls cross his bar and dance floor over the years—he'd even like to think he helped a few find true love along the way.Submission Information: Word count: 20,000-40,000One pivotal scene MUST take place at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. This could be the hero and heroine's first meeting, the black moment, big finale, a scene where important information is divulged or an important realization is made etc. Other than the above requirement, your story can be anything and anywhere within the genre of contemporary cowboys. It can take place from Texas to Alberta, Alaska to Australia. Wherever a cowboy rides, works, plays or competes could be the setting for your story as long as at some important point, their hearts cross the threshold of the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk. Whether your hero's truck breaks down near the honky tonk, friends take your heroine there for a good time, or either one stop for a break on a long journey, the possibilities for this series are endless and we are excited to see where you as authors can take a couple of honky tonk hearts. Honky Tonk Hearts will be a limited series of 12 to 15 contracted stories so it is important to do your best, write with heart, proof, proof, proof and submit! Please follow the general submission guidelines on the website for formatting and submit through the queryus@thewildrosepress.com. Important: Use the subject line: TWRP Honky Tonk Hearts Submission: YOUR TITLEFor questions please feel free to email Stacy D. Holmes, Senior Editor of Yellow Rose, at http://ca.mc1203.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=stacy@thewildrosepress.com Authors can join our Yahoo loop for more information on submission and content: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/twrphonkytonkhearts/ Background Information: The Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk: A few miles outside Amarillo off historical Route 66, the large wood-paneled structure boast a large neon star with a single flashing steer riding away from it. Inside, a long bar runs the length of the back wall, a dance floor takes up a large chunk of space with old round tables filling most of the rest and two pool tables tucked in the back corner. A small stage hosts Open-Mike Nights on Sundays, Karaoke Thursdays and a booked band most Saturday nights with the other nights filled in with a big old jukebox or the DJ. The establishment offers food when the kitchen is staffed, but the Lonesome Steer can never seem to keep cooks too long and waitresses come and go—Gus is always ready to lend a hand when someone comes in down on their luck. Gus Rankin: His hair is more grey than dark brown these days and a handlebar moustache sits prominently on a face tanned and weathered by the Texas sun.Tall, broad and still in good shape although a bit of a belly hangs over the buckle of his faded blue jeans, you can usually find him wearing his favorite black leather vest with a light denim shirt beneath. Though he prefers to man the bar, every once in a while he sneaks back to his messy office, takes a break in the rickety, torn leather chair and props his feet on his desk as he smiles at the bulletin board filled with pictures from couples that have tossed aside their lonesome hearts to take a chance on love. Keira Rankin: Gus's daughter works at the honky tonk alongside her father. She keeps the books, waitresses and does a little Karaoke when the stage gets quiet on Thursday nights. With long blonde hair, soft doe eyes and heart-shape face, she's the spitting image of her mother, Gus's one and only true love who died ten years ago when Keira was fourteen. Marshall Dekes: This part-time bartender/DJ is a good old boy with a bit of a past. Tall, dark and handsome, he keeps to himself but is there whenever Gus needs work done around the place. Important Note: The above-mentioned characters are to be used as "mentions only" and not as main or important secondary characters. These established characters are spoken for and will be used to finish the series when the time comes. Use them to create atmosphere and realism in your scenes at the Lonesome Steer, but then leave them there LOL. Stacy D. Holmes Senior Editor, Yellow Rose Newsletter Coordinator The Wild Rose Press

Monday, April 4, 2011

Cowboy Day






For today, I'm going to post this one picture in celebration of my two Cowboy Kink books. This really says it all.









Monday, March 21, 2011

Guest Blogger: Liz Arnold


Today is my guest Liz Arnold.

Marie: Tell us a little about yourself.

Liz: Thanks for having me “over” today, Marie. Love your blog!

I am a wife, mom, editor, writer, and teacher. I live in the mid-east with my husband and the assorted cats and dogs my daughters have left behind while they are in college ordering pizza at 11:00 at night. I love books, journaling, and yoga. I started writing in grade school, wrote for the school newspaper, and got a degree in journalism which I use to write freelance and edit.

Marie: What do you like the most and the least about writing?

Liz: I love that I can work in my pajamas. When I go shopping for clothes, I usually end with a new pair of pajamas and matching house slippers. Everybody knows that pajamas are always at the top of my gift list. They can’t go wrong getting me a new pair of pajamas! I dislike that there is so little money to be made in the industry. But I’m compelled to write and I get better and better at it and even if I connect with only a handful of people with my writing, that’s enough. But next life time I want to be mega-million, New York Times bestselling author!

Marie: Give us a peek into your latest published work?

MESSAGE TO LOVE

LIZ ARNOLD

THE WILD ROSE PRESS

www.thewildrosepress.com

Blurb

Audra Wakely’s father has been seized by Spanish authorities and imprisoned for sympathizing with Cuban rebels. Raising the money to bribe officials if necessary, she sets off for Cuba to rescue her father. She doesn’t bargain on the interference of any U.S. officials—that is until she meets Rollins McBride.

Lt. Rollins McBride of the newly designated U.S. Naval Intelligence service is assigned to track Audra on her journey. He’s to arrest Greg Wakely, a U.S. citizen, for treason and gun smuggling. His mission and his heart are taken by surprise by the feisty beauty who sets a stubborn path toward finding her father and proving he isn’t a traitor—no matter what or who gets in her way.

Sizzle, spice, and intrigue heats up the Spanish American War in MESSAGE TO LOVE.

Excerpt

“It was a dream, just a very bad dream.”

She stepped back out of his hold. Clammy spots of moist heat lingered on her arms where his hands had been.

“I’m all right now.” Audra reached for the door and noticed the sickly sweet odor of liquor on his breath. “You can leave now. I want to go back to bed.” She pulled open the door and gestured into the hall.

“Sorry, but this time you’re going, too.” Rollins strode over to the dresser and pulled out a drawer. “Better pack. We have just under two hours.”

“I’m not in the mood for comedy, Rollins,” she sighed. “I’m really very, very tired. I’ve got to get some rest. Now—”

“Let me make myself clear.” He sounded gruff. “I said we’re leaving, and unless you want to get on a ship bound for Santiago with your shirttails hanging out, better change and get ready.” He made to leave the room. “I hope you have a shawl or something. It’s gotten cooler out, and we have half an hour in a wagon to get to port.” Then he vanished into his own room next door, leaving Audra gape-mouthed in the hallway.

“Who does he think he is?” She growled as she stamped her foot against the cold hard floor. “Infuriating! He is absolutely infuriating!” Audra heaved the door shut with gusto. “These are not my shirttails, either!”

Amazon buy link (print and digital) click here

The Wild Rose Press buy link (print and digital) click here

Marie: What’s next on the writing horizon for you?

Liz: I’m working on another historical romance set in pioneer Ohio after the Revolutionary war. A female doctor arrives in Marietta, Ohio in the spring of 1790 to a smallpox epidemic and Indian raids. The bravery and fortitude of the people who settled our country fascinates me. Falling in love amidst the challenges of pioneer American is amazing in my opinion.

Is there anything you want to tell readers?

Liz: I would love to send everyone a free bookmark! Send a SASE to P.O. Box 1322, Parkersburg, WV 26102

Monday, March 14, 2011

Editing Woes

This last week I needed to finish up some edits for my editor. I'm usually pretty good with track changes in Word, but this week I seemed to be technically challenged.

I was sending the first 67 pages to my critique partner to make sure I re-enforced the conflict at the beginning of the book. Not too hard.

No, but I made the mistake of forgetting track changes was on when I went to delete page 68 on, it did a line strike out. I realized the second it happened what I had done. So the mouse goes scrolling across the screen and....I hit the save button.

Why would you put the undo button next to the save button. Head hits desk.

Oh what a mess I created. I thought well I can just back it out and tell it not to accept the changes. That didn't work, while it restored all the file, all the changes I had just made to pages 68 to 140 were now gone.

I spent close to 8 hours redoing the file, thankfully one of my critique partners could be on instant messenger with me, so I didn't slit my wrists while I wrangled with the document trying to make it do the impossible, then to brainstorm with my when I couldn't think of another word.

All the changes are now made and the book back on its way to my editor. Lesson learned, keep multiple copies of editing progress just in case I make another track changes mistake.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Publishers Press Releases

A fellow author has created a blog where publishers can reach authors. And what a great idea this is.

It's a place for publishers to post their press releases and call for submissions.

So if you're looking for a spot click here and check out the blog.

Spread the word, this is a great resource for writers.