Archive for August, 2009

Snippet Saturday – Humorous

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

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Today’s snippet theme is Humorous. Here is a look at a fun interaction between Reese, my hero and Jermaine, his best friend. It is long so placed it behind a link. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz

mj_sn_conqueringjazz_small1Looking up, he saw Jermaine framed in the doorway. He came forward to sit on the side of Reese’s desk. His grin tipped Reese off that Jermaine was going to ask him to do something he wouldn’t like.

“Whatever it is, the answer is no.”

Jermaine chuckled. “How can you say no, and you don’t even know the question yet?”

“Like this. No. See how easy that was?”

Jermaine gave him a pleading look. Reese laughed, shaking his head. Jermaine put his palm to his head and slid off the desk to the floor. Reese stood, walked around the desk, and saw him lying on the floor on his back. When Jermaine saw Reese, he started laughing. Shaking his head, Reese watched him. The man was crazy.

From his prone position, Jermaine said, “You wound me, buddy. Haven’t I, without question, supported you in anything you needed…?”

Reese leaned back on his desk, getting comfortable as Jermaine tried to guilt him into doing whatever it was that he wanted done. Knowing Jermaine’s usual mode of operation, it could take a while for him to get to the point. Reese listened as his friend expounded on the virtue of his struggle to be a nice, forgiving man, sensitive to others and their needs. He continued on with how no one asked about his needs and wants. If he didn’t know Jermaine so well, Reese would have thought he was serious. Each time Jermaine really wanted something, he would deliver a flowery speech to lull you into submission, or a coma. Jermaine was slick, and if you weren’t careful, you would agree, just out of self defense, before you even heard what he wanted.

Chuckling, Reese thought of the last time Jermaine had talked him into doing him a favor that he lived to regret. He had come into the room and slid across the floor, belting out his own version of what friendship meant, to the beat of Proud Mary.

Reese remembered he had laughed so hard, he had agreed to finish up the negotiations for the Simpson account without knowing it. He would have normally had no problem with it, but he had to go to the Simpson’s chateau to finish it up. Still no problem, except Jermaine had forgotten to mention one tiny detail about Mr. Simpson’s wife, who was prone to show up naked in unsuspecting men’s rooms.

Jermaine hadn’t warned him to be careful, and he’d had a hell of a time running around the room trying to duck her, and then convincing her to leave. He did convince her, eventually, and when he had asked Jermaine about the lack of warning upon his return, Jermaine had laughed his head off, like he was doing now. Reese’s gaze narrowed. Jermaine really was up to something.

Wondering if Jermaine had found out him and Jasmine, Reese watched him closely. He didn’t seem upset as he lay on the ground. Jermaine seemed to be in one of his more playful moods.

He finally wrapped up by saying, “Isn’t it moi who came up with the idea to start this firm, and the one who is the senior partner?”

Reese made a rude snort at that. Jermaine looked at him, trying to act offended, but failing as he laughed. Standing, he leaned next to Reese, throwing his arm around his shoulder.

“My buddy and old friend, I need you to do something for me.”

Watching him, Reese thought, here it comes. He braced to say no.

Jermaine caught him off guard by saying, “Actually, I need two things from you. The first is easy for you to do, but the second is a little more complicated. First, I want you to find out who Jazz’s new man is.”

(more…)

Blogging at Romance Junkies

Friday, August 28th, 2009

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

Snippet Saturday – Settings

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

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Today’s snippet theme is Settings. Here is a look at the romantic getaway my characters went on in the story. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz

conqueringjazzblogReese pulled the car into the driveway and turned it off, looking at the beautiful, large stone house. It had the look of a quaint cottage. The sign as they drove in had read “Ellis Hideaway,” but it should have been called Paradise. The place had a charming feeling about it. The unique stones on the house were complimented by wide bay windows, an oak door, and a wraparound porch. Counting the terraces, Reese realized there seemed to be a separate one for each room in the structure’s six floors.

Jasmine asked, “What do you think?”

Turning, he saw she had a smiling, smug look on her face. Usually, he had been the one to initiate them going on a weekend getaway. He leaned in and kissed her, softly and thoroughly, before pulling away.

He saw pleasure fill her eyes when he replied, “You’re beautiful.” Her melodious laughter made his body clench in reaction.

“Come on,” Jasmine said, opening the door and getting out.

Chuckling, Reese got out of the car on his side while she walked around to join him. She hooked her arm with his, gazing at the house. Reese studied the cobblestone walkway, surrounded by lush vegetation on both sides. Manicured gardens of roses and many different flowers were as far as the eye could see. Huge weeping willow trees surrounded the property, making a gate made from nature. Cocking his head, Reese could swear he heard water running. But glancing around, he couldn’t find the source.

Reese turned at the sound of the door opening. He was unable to see the person clearly in the shadows of the porch, but assumed it was a woman by the shape. She came forward and waved at them, and Jasmine waved back.

Curious, he asked, “You know someone here?”

Jasmine glanced at him. “Don’t you recognize her?”

Reese observed the lovely woman coming toward them. She looked familiar. Then realization dawned, and he chuckled. “I thought Chantal was in Italy.”

“She came back a couple of months ago, after this place was ready.”

“She’s the owner?”

“Yes, and Karim is ecstatic that he was able to convince her to buy this place and open the bed and breakfast she always wanted. He’s very pleased to have his sister living nearby.”

Chantal arrived in front of them, embracing Reese before turning to Jasmine and doing the same. She stepped back and studied Jasmine from head to foot, then glanced at him, giving him a wink.

In a lightly accented voice, Chantal said, “Reese Bryant, it’s been a long time, il miele. Still sexy as ever. Why don’t you dump this la vecchia mucca and run away with me?”

Laughing, he took her hand, kissing it as he said, “Chantal, I can’t even dream of having someone of your beauty. Ouch.” He rubbed his stomach where Jasmine had hit him.

“Don’t call me an “old cow,” Chantal,” Jasmine said. Noting her friend’s surprised look, she continued, laughing. “Hah! Didn’t think I knew what you said, did you? I’ve been learning so I can know when you’re insulting me. You better behave, before I forget that you’re family.”

Chantal pouted playfully. “Come on, Jazz, you know I’m kidding with my favorite cousin.”

“Batting those eyes at me won’t work. You only say that to get out of trouble. Try it on your brother, and mine.”

“Pash, my brother is too smart to fall for it, but your brothers are another story. Would it work on you, Reese?”

Chantal started to touch him, but Jasmine stopped her. “Don’t you dare!” Chantal laughed, Jasmine joined her, and they hugged again.

Looking at them, Reese joined in their laughter. Chantal Ellis, Jasmine’s cousin, had lived in Italy for a number of years. She was a lovely woman, trim with light toffee-colored skin, sculpted features, and short, curly hair. Her eyes were the most startling shade of lavender. He knew they were inherited from her father. She gave him a warning glare over Jasmine’s shoulder.

He smiled, trying not to laugh. Chantal was very protective of Jasmine, even though Chantal was younger. Frowning, Reese remembered the last time she had come for a visit. It was right after the Derek fiasco, and it had taken all of them to stop her from going after him. She had a nasty temper.

Chantal had whisked Jasmine away to Italy. After she returned, Jasmine had refused to talk about Derek, and acted as if he never existed. With this trip out of town, Jasmine had ruined his plan to go see Derek. But he was still going, as soon as they got back to New York.

Reese ignored Chantal’s questioning look and shook his head. He sighed as her expression changed to curiosity. A curious Chantal was a bad thing. Unless he could distract her, she would torture him until she found out what was going on.

She stepped back from Jasmine, saying, “I missed you, Jazz. It’s been so long since you came to see me. I thought since I lived closer now, you would come and see me, but you haven’t. Been too busy, I see.” Chantal pointedly looked in Reese’s direction.

Grinning, Reese winked.

Shaking a finger at him, Chantal continued talking to Jasmine. “I was going to drop in on you when I came to New York in a couple of weeks to see Auntie Raina. I’ve been trying to reach her to set it up, but I can’t get her. Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. Mom is in Paris on a buying trip for the boutique. She’ll be gone for a few months, but you can still come for a visit. You can stay with me.”

“I might. Tell her hi for me when you speak with her,” Chantal said. Then she gestured to the magnificent structure behind her. “So, what do you think?”

“The last time I was here, I knew it was going to be nice, but this is fabulous!” Jasmine replied enthusiastically.

“Thanks. It took me a lot of hard work and time to get it just right, but at last, it’s almost the way I want it. Come on in. You must be tired from the trip. I’ll send the bell hop for your bags.”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll get them,” Reese replied.

Chantal nodded her agreement. She hooked arms with Jasmine and started toward the house. Reese watched them stroll up the walkway, and their laughter followed in their wake. Jasmine glanced back over her shoulder, giving him a sizzling look and winking at him before turning around.

Copyright © McKenna Jeffries, 2008.
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Beth Kery
Eliza Gayle
Jody Wallace
Lauren Dane
McKenna Jeffries
Michelle Pillow
Moira Rogers
Shelley Munro
Taige Crenshaw
Victoria Janssen
Vivian Arend
Leah Braemel
TJ Michaels
Beth Williamson

Blogging at Romance Studio

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

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

Snippet Saturday – Character Sketch

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

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Today’s snippet theme is Character Sketch. Below is part of an exclusive feature I posted to my chat group last year. It is called Between the Pages a sort of inside look into what the characters are thinking and feeling. There were various part for the characters, excerpts and so on. Giving you the heroine’s perspective of  her hero. It is long so placed it behind a link. Enjoy.

conqueringjazzblogBetween the Pages
Conquering Jazz
Heroine Perspective
By: McKenna Jeffries
Copyright © 2008 by McKenna Jeffries
All rights reserved.

Below is the Heroine Perspective, a conversation with Jasmine Hamlin from Conquering Jazz. This is not an excerpt from the novel but a look at what Jasmine is thinking.

*****

A conversation with about JASMINE. “JAZZ” HAMLIN, about REESE BRYANT

Sitting on her sofa in her living room Jasmine Hamlin leans forward sinking her fingers into her hair as she speaks about Reese.

“How can I resist a man who knows me so well that I can’t make a choice to either run for my life or rip his clothes off and just take him? Oh god why is he such a delectable temptation. Damn it Reese Bryant should wear a label that says in big neon red letter. “Beware to sexy to be handled without combat gear.”

Raising her head and dropping her hands, her chocolate brown eyes furious Jasmine crosses her arms across her chest as her bare foot starts to tap against the lush carpet.

“Reese thinks he is slick trying to romance me like were going to be a couple. All I wanted was S-E-X. SEX . Hot mind-blowing sex. And that’s what I got but now with these little romantic gestures of his. He thinks I don’t know what he is doing.”

In agitation, she rises and starts to pace back and forth before the couch.

“He thinks that with time he can show me what we can have. It won’t work. ”

In a voice soft with despair, Jasmine leans against the couch her hands gripping the arm tightly.

(more…)

Satin Notes Christmas Contest – 2009

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

Keeping this contest info on top. Scroll down for any new posts.

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Okay, everyone. Contest time. As a Christmas gift and thank you to all you wonderful readers who have enjoyed the stories on Satin Notes as much as we have enjoyed creating them. This is a very simple contest with prizes we hope you will enjoy. The Satin Notes Christmas Contest 2009 will run from 15 August 2009 until 15 November 2009. There will be two winners chosen out of all the properly entered contestants.

The prize is as follows:

One print copy of each (4 books in total for each winner):

Cami’s Surrender
Break Every Rule
Magnetism
Sentinel

Each of these books will be signed by each of the Satin Notes author.

Now for the rules:

All you have to do is enter go here – http://satinnotes.com/contest.shtml – and put in all the information in the form. You must enter your first and last name, email address, and snail mail address. That’s it. No questions to answer, nothing. Just enter your first and last name, email address, and snail mail address. Please note all the information we requested is needed in order for your contest entry to be considered a valid entry. It will be kept private and not shared with anyone. After midnight EST on 15 November 2009 no more entries will be accepted. The winners will be chosen and their names, only their names will be posted.

Enter the Contest here: http://satinnotes.com/contest.shtml

We would love to thank all of our readers for such wonderful support over the years. Y’all truly have no idea just how much we appreciate it. Thank you!

Aliyah, McKenna, & Taige

Hanging with Fam

Monday, August 10th, 2009

It’s been and interesting summer. I’ve been hanging with the fam. My sister and nephew are here for their yearly visit. Just chilling and reconnecting. I love when they come for their visit. My sis and I laugh and have lots of fun. My nephew looks at us like we are nuts but he also has a wicked sense of humor.

My cousin and her fam who live close to me have come by to also chat and so on. My other sister who also lives close came by too. One day they all showed up and my house was overrun with people. Imagine 8 kids and 6 adults. Whew it was a fun and crazy day. I love hanging with the fam. Nice talking about old times, current events and politics. We had some rousing discussions. LOL.

Hanging with fam is one of my favorite summer things. What are some of your fav summer things?

Snippet Saturday – First Physical Touch

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

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Today’s snippet theme is First Physical Touch. Below is a scene from a book I co-authored Aliyah Burke . Enjoy.

An snippet from Wicked Burn

mjabrj_ha_august_smallSedeo sat upon the table top and glanced down at her. “So, tell me, Yasmine, a bit about you.” Married? Engaged? Dating? Will you let me kiss you?

A gentle smile filled her features. “She did try to talk me into it, but I didn’t think it was a good idea without your permission. Not much to tell, really. I’m pretty much a what-you-see is what-you-get kinda girl.”

She stretched her legs out in front of her, and he admired the lean strength he saw in them. The image of them wrapped around his midsection as he thrust in and out of her body flashed before him. Would she scream, or is she a silent lover?

Jumping off the table, Sedeo walked away from the delectable temptation sitting there. His mind was not helping his libido in any way. A sound behind him caused him to turn, and he watched her stand and smooth her hands down her thighs.

“I should get going.” She waved a hand past her shoulder. “I have some errands to run.”

Something deep inside of him wanted to ask her to stay. Shoving it back, Sedeo picked up his niece and headed to where Yasmine stood. “Thank you … you know, for everything,” he said.

Her tongue slipped out and wet her lips. “No problem. She’s a little angel.”

Yasmine reached out toward him and, at the last moment, touched Shelby’s cheek. “Goodbye,” she whispered.

When she began walking toward the door that led inside the house, Sedeo was swarmed by the urge to grab her and pull her into his embrace.

“Let me walk you out,” he muttered.

Long strides put him at the door before her, and Sedeo inhaled deeply as she slipped past him. His eyes lingered on the gentle sway of her hips encased in the tight white material of her short shorts. Determined to ignore his body’s reaction to her, he dropped his gaze to the floor and slowly moved up her lithe form.

Damn, damn, and double damn! Absently, he placed Shelby on the floor, and she headed for the toy chest while he followed Yasmine to the front door. He reached around her as her hand landed on the handle, and for a moment, she was trapped between him and the smooth surface of the door. Lowering his head, Sedeo allowed himself a moment of indulgence. He could see the slight shudder she tried to contain as his warm breath flowed across the back of her neck. With his free hand, he touched some of the strands of her hair that had escaped confinement. Biting the inside of his cheek to keep his groan of satisfaction quiet, he closed his eyes and dropped the silken hair.

“Goodbye, Yasmine,” he murmured into her ear.

Her body tensed slightly before she opened the door. Without looking back, she headed down the steps and to a truck. He stared after her until her vehicle vanished from view. Closing the door, he immediately searched for and found Shelby playing with her toys. Sedeo moved to the envelope Yasmine had given him and smiled as his gaze landed upon the return address.

“Until we meet again,” he muttered to the air.

Copyright © McKenna Jeffries and Aliyah Burke, 2009.
All Rights Reserved.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Beth Kery
Shelli Stevens
Michelle Pillow
Anya Bast
Beth Williamson
Eliza Gayle
Jaci Burton
Jody Wallace
Juliana Stone
Lacey Savage
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Sylvia Day
Sasha White
Shelley Munro
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Lauren Dane
Elisabeth Naughton
Marissa Scott
Leah Braemel

Wicked Burn – Available Now

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

mjcurrentrelWicked Burn the story co-written by Aliyah Burke and myself is now available at Liquid Silver Books. Yippeee.

Here is the excerpt. Be sure and go get your copy.

Wicked Burn
Available Now
By: Aliyah Burke and McKenna Jeffries
Liquid Silver Books
LSB Theme ~ Hearts Afire
ISBN#: 978-1-59578- 584-8
Genre: Contemporary
Format: E-Book
Buy Link: http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&category=McKenna+Jeffries

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.

Buy Link: http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&category=McKenna+Jeffries

Snippet Saturday – Villain Scene (bad guy shining moment)

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

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Today’s snippet theme is Villain Scene (bad guy shining moment). Below is a scene with the antagonist from my book. It is long so placed it behind a link. Enjoy

A snippet from Conquering Jazz….

conqueringjazzblogTwenty minutes later, Jasmine strode into the lobby of the temporary offices of Christopher Enterprises. She paused and took a deep breath. Glancing around, she saw there was no one at the reception desk. Walking farther inside, she passed empty offices. Listening briefly, she thought she heard someone singing to her right. Following the sound, she made her way past more offices until she reached a partially open oak door.

Pushing it open, Jasmine’s breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. Derek was singing to an adorable little girl, who looked like a female version of him. The little girl could be no more than four years old. Watching them, she felt a twinge of pain. Surprised, she realized it wasn’t because she was obviously Derek’s child, but because Jasmine knew she would never have any children of her own.

Standing quietly in the doorway, she listened as he sang to the little girl. His lovely voice washed over her as he sang about angels and cats.
Startled, she glanced back as an accented voice came from behind her. “He’s
amazing with them.”

Turning, she saw Lyric Janssen, the woman she had seen that day in the house with Derek. Jasmine no longer felt any anger toward her. Curiously, she gazed at Lyric’s trim figure.

Opening her mouth to speak, Lyric was drowned out by the sound of running feet and a high-pitched, “Mommies!”

The serene smile that came over Lyric’s face took Jasmine’s breath away. Lyric was ravishing as she turned to embrace the two little girls who ran up to join them. They looked identical to the one Derek was holding.

Realizing that he had stopped singing, Jasmine looked back at him. His face was a cool mask as he looked at her. Shifting his gaze, Derek’s face softened. The little girls squealed and ran over to him. He laughed, setting the little girl he’d been holding down and catching the other two in his arms. He kissed them. Then, putting them on the floor, he walked all three of them over to Lyric. Kissing her cheek, he whispered something in her ear. She swatted him and laughed. Waving at Jasmine, she left, partially closing the door behind her and the girls.

Derek looked at her, and the look on his face made her breath catch. Pain lined his face, and sorrow filled his eyes. Going with her instincts, Jasmine closed the distance between them and hugged him. Derek stiffened, and tried to pull away. Holding onto him, Jasmine waited for him to relax. Finally, he did, pulling her close to him. His arms tightened around her, and she gasped at the intensity of his embrace. She gripped him fiercely, soaking in his scent. Derek kissed her softly on the head, then stepped back, looking down at her. The smile on his face was as she remembered—devilish.

(more…)