Archive for July, 2009

Wicked Burn – Release Date

Friday, July 31st, 2009

mjcurrentrel

I’ve got a release date for Wicked Burn the story co-written by Aliyah Burke and myself that will be released by Liquid Silver Books.

The release date is August 3, 2009. Yipppee!!

So mark your calendar Yasmine and Sedeo are coming.

 

Below is an excerpt and blurb.

Wicked Burn
Coming August 3, 2009
By: Aliyah Burke and McKenna Jeffries
Liquid Silver Books
LSB Theme ~ Hearts Afire
ISBN#: 978-1-59578- 584-8
Genre: Contemporary
Format: E-Book

Blurb:

Firefighter Yasmine Van Cort is used to saving people and knows sometimes, not everyone can be rescued. Yet something about her last fire rescue keeps bothering her. She cannot forget the anguish of the man who lost his sister and brother-in-law, the man who is now the guardian of the sole survivor of the horrible fire–an innocent baby. Yasmine knows getting involved with those you save can be a bad idea, but she cannot resist checking on him. What she finds is an unexpected complication which will change her forever.

Sedeo Parker lost the last of his family and now has to care for his infant niece. Distraught at the loss and the responsibility, he is overwhelmed when the woman who saved his niece comes by. His mixed emotions of gratitude and fury that she did not save everyone leave him reeling. The unexpected flash of desire for her only complicates things.

Yasmine knows with her career, a real relationship is difficult at best. Add in a victim of fire, and it makes it doubly so. Sedeo, after losing everything to fire, does not know if he can let himself become involved with a woman who fights the very thing he is afraid of. Together, they will have to decide if it’s worth it to take a chance on a wicked burn.

Un-Edited Excerpt:

One night as she stood in the kitchen barefoot, making herself a salad for dinner, the doorbell chimed. Munching on a carrot, she walked to the door and pulled it open. The sight on the other side almost caused her to choke. The man who’d been haunting her dreams stood there, holding the cute little girl in his arms, a bag on one shoulder.

“H…h…hi,” she managed to mutter. Holy hell, he’s even hotter than I remember from my dreams.

Shelby cooed and reached for her, and without thought, Yasmine took her into her arms. The gentle scent of innocence washed over her.

“Would you believe we were in the neighborhood?” One side of his mouth curved up in a disarming smile. Yet she could see in the depths of his eyes more than a bit uncertainty.

Did she? And did she really care? “Come on in,” she said, stepping back to allow them in the house.

“We’re not interrupting, are we?” he asked as he moved past her.

“Nope. Just fixing a bite to eat before Rufus and I go for a walk.”

“Rufus?” Sedeo asked.

Jerking her head toward the door, she said, “The one putting nose prints on my sliding glass door.”

“Puppy!” Shelby cried and struggled to get down.

With a smile, Yasmine set her on her feet, well aware that Rufus was fine with kids.

“Is she…is he okay? Will she…?” Sedeo babbled.

Without thought, she placed a hand on his arm and said, “She’ll be fine. Rufus loves kids.”

The heat from his skin seared her palm, and she swallowed rapidly. Removing her hand, she moved to the door, opening it to allow Rufus to come inside. Keeping her gaze on the two on the floor, she made sure all was good between dog and child. She longed to stand near him again, but part of her make-up was following the rules and doing what was best. Getting involved with Sedeo Parker was not what was best.

A shadow fell over her, and she looked up at the man who stood a few inches taller than her. He stared down at her with a longing in his gaze. Her belly churned, and her legs became shaky. Everything in the room shrank to the two of them, nothing more, and nothing less. In slow motion, he cupped the side of her face and lowered his mouth to hers.

Nothing else mattered, aside from the fact his lips were nearing hers. At first touch, she whimpered. His lips were made for kissing. He nibbled gently before covering her mouth. She moaned as his tongue slid along her lips and sought entrance. Yasmine opened on a sigh.

It was a slow exploration of the recess of her mouth, and Yasmine allowed him to set his pace. Her fingers curled into her palms so she didn’t grab him. It was over almost before it started, and when he pulled back, his eyes swirled with barely restrained passion.

Copyright © 2009 Aliyah Burke and McKenna Jeffries
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books

Blogging at Romance Junkies

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Blogging at Romance Junkies for my monthly blog day . Check me out here.

Blogging at Romance Studio

Monday, July 20th, 2009

I’m blogging at Romance Studio. Check me out here.

Snippet Saturday – Livin it up (characters at work or play)

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

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Today’s snippet theme is Livin it up (characters at work or play). Below is a at play scence from my book. It is long so placed it behind a link. Enjoy

An snippet from Conquering Jazz….

conqueringjazzblog“Come on, man! Give me a game! Where’s your head at?” Jermaine asked as they played basketball outside his house.

Reese tried to clear the frown off his face. Distractedly, he watched as Jermaine sank another basket and danced around the court. He absently blocked Jermaine’s jump shot. His mind was occupied, thinking of what Jasmine had said. He snapped out of his daze when Jermaine slammed into him, scoring the game point. He groaned as he fell on the ground. Sitting up, he couldn’t muster any enthusiasm as Jermaine gloated and did his victory dance around the court. He frowned, still thinking about his conversation with Jasmine.

I don’t get it. We’re explosive together. Why is she letting him stand between us? Why won’t she tell her brothers? Damn, I didn’t know she was serious about that. She’s keeping herself locked away, and hiding me like I’m a leper or something. I refuse to go down like that. I’ve got to do something.

Jermaine stopped his victory dance, flopping down next to Reese.

“You didn’t give me much game, but it was still a sweet victory. What’s wrong with you?” Jermaine slapped him playfully behind the head.

“Hey! Take it easy on my head. Nothing’s wrong. That was a hollow victory. I let you win.”

“Yeah, right. You just don’t want to admit your defeat, pal,” Jermaine razzed him.

Reese listened absently as Jermaine continued to taunt him.

Now that I’ve got Jazz in my bed, I’m going to tie her to me, on me, around me, and inside of me—any damn way I can get to keep her there. Reese imagined what he could do to make Jasmine see the truth about them.

“Ow! What is the matter with you! I told you about hitting me in the head.” Reese rubbed his stinging head where Jermaine had hit him.

(more…)

Snippet Saturday – First meeting Between Character and Villain

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

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Today’s snippet theme is First meeting Between Character and Villain. Below is a scence with the antagonist from my book. It is long so placed it behind a link. Enjoy

An snippet from Conquering Jazz….

conqueringjazzblogJasmine’s mind raced with the presentation to come as she opened her office door and stepped in. Her hand fell limply to her side as she came face to face with the one man she never wanted to see again.

Jasmine recognized him, even with his back to her. He stood looking out of the window.

Derek Christopher, her ex-fiancé and scumbag extraordinaire. She must have made a noise, because he turned and pierced her with lethal gray eyes that took in everything at a glance. His gaze speared through her, as if he could see into her soul.

Jasmine saw that he hadn’t changed. His sun-kissed skin depicting his Italian heritage still looked kissable and delicious. He still wore his hair long and tied back in a ponytail, as it fought to get loose and fall in curly waves around his sharp features. His body was still all lean muscle, while magnetism oozed out of his pores.

She felt a rush of heat consume her before it turned to deadly ice. Her head was going to explode. She took a moment to compose herself before she spoke. Her voice sounded cutting.

“Well, well. Look who blew into town. What the hell are you doing here? No, never mind. I don’t want to know anything from your arrogant ass. Get the fuck out of my office, before I drop you where you stand. You have the utter gall to show your face in front of me? You must think…”

“You haven’t changed a bit, Jazz,” said a smooth whiskey voice from behind her.

“You still come out swinging. Come on. Tell me what you really think.”

Jasmine turned and looked at an identical face to the one in the window. Then, she glanced at the woman standing next to him. She could feel her eyes narrow and her throat ache as she fought to control herself. Before she could say anything, the man in the doorway spoke.

(more…)

Satin Notes – New Chapter Posted

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

A new chapter has been posted on Satin Notes, the free read site. Go check out the new chapter of our current read at ~ http://www.satinnotes.com.