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Archive for September, 2010
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Tuesday, September 28th, 2010Snippet Saturday – Villians
Saturday, September 25th, 2010
Today’s snippet theme is Villians. Below is a scene from a book that I wrote with authors Aliyah Burke and Taige Crenshaw for our free read site called Satin Notes. Enjoy.
An snippet from Magnetism…
“Enough!” A loud voice rang through the clearing.
That voice sent tremors of fear and hate through her. David Hollingsworth. Kira dispatched the enemy before her, and her eyes scanned the area. Her heart beat slower as her gaze landed on Dane. He was close, and his eyes were hard as ice when they met hers. She was glad they were on the same side.
She saw a few others that she didn’t know as well, but it wasn’t the time for introductions. And she still didn’t know where Heller had gone.
David strode forward, his gait arrogant and sure. Dane and the others formed a line between him and Kira. She glanced back to her right and saw the white tiger, standing over a wounded lioness, and another one nearby that appeared dead. There were cuts all over him, and blood streamed from them.
“Hello, Kira.” David looked at her, and she tried not to be repulsed by what she saw–a man who had tried to kill her brother.
A low growl filled the air. The line of defenders parted, and David’s eyes fell to the tiger and the two at his feet. Rage filled the eyes that used to look upon her with love.
“What the hell have you done?” he demanded.
The tiger snarled at him before shifting. Right in front of her, the tiger became Heller Sidorov.
Bile rose in her throat. It was true! Heller was like those monsters. Unconsciously, she took a step back from him.
“I’ve protected what’s mine,” Heller spoke in a raspy tone, unmindful of the blood that ran down his arms.
“Sherona,” David gasped. “And Jessie.”
Kira watched in amazement as Heller reached down and lifted the still unconscious lioness into the air with one arm. The dangling cat changed into the blonde from before. The other lioness just stayed on the ground.
“You will die for this, Heller Sidorov!” David spat. He looked over to Kira. “You and I aren’t finished,” he said. Then he vanished.
So did his remaining people. All except the blonde, who Heller had by the neck.
“You’re going to die, Heller,” she cackled.
“How’s it feel to know he just left you?” Heller taunted. “You know he has his next pussy lined up.”
She spat at him.
“Now, now, Jessie,” Heller said. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to be our guest.” He handed her off to two men who showed up. “Get her out of here.”
Then he looked at Kira, who still wasn’t sure what to think or feel. She looked away from him. Suddenly, a cold feeling filled her. Kira looked at where the blonde woman had first appeared. An image seemed to waver in the air. She tried to make it out, but it never became clearer. It seemed to fade, but the strange feeling she had remained.
Copyright © 2008 Aliyah Burke, McKenna Jeffries and Taige Crenshaw.
All Rights Reserved, Satin Notes.
Check out the rest of Magnetism and more free reads at Satin Notes - http://satinnotes.com
Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Shelli Stevens
TJ Michaels
Lauren Dane
Ashley Ladd
Vivian Arend
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
McKenna Jeffries
Mandy M Roth
Mari Carr
HelenKay Dimon
Jody Wallace
Joy in the TBR pile
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010I’ve been reading a lot lately. I’ve caught up on some books that I had on my TBR – to be read – pile for a bit. The only problem… well not a problem except to my wallet. LOL. The books on my TBR pile are part of a series. Usually before I get a new series even if they are recommended to me I like to read the first in the series to see if I enjoy it. My TBR pile has a lot of first books in various series. Books I’ve been trying to get to. Now that I have I am longing for the next in the series.
Since I enjoyed the first one of about five different series I am now going to buy the rest in the series. The various authors backlist if you will. At the time I got the first books in the series I knew they were the beginning of a part of a series but it took me so long to get to them that the series is now a few books in. I’m ecstatic I don’t have to wait. I now can get a few books to read in the various series. I’m sort of impatient when it comes to waiting for the next in a series I love.
So with my reading I have been doing I now have some new authors to add to my TBL – to buy list – and some reading to do. (Eyeing my TBR pile) I spot a few more books I am going to be reading and if the cover is any indication I have some more buying coming in my future. I’ve had fun finding the joy in the TBR pile.
What are some good books you’ve read?
Snippet Saturday – Make Ups!
Saturday, September 18th, 2010
Today’s snippet theme is Make Ups. Below is a scene from a book I co-authored Aliyah Burke. Enjoy.
A snippet from Wicked Burn…
“Are you meditating, or is there a reason you’re at my door?”
His eyes snapped open at the sound of the smoky voice he had missed so much. He met her topaz gaze hungrily. It still made his heart race. Her dark brown hair was in her usual braid, resting on one shoulder. Her broad forehead was wrinkled in a frown, while her full nose flared. She was so sexy and cute all at once. She licked her lush, dark pink lips. Thoughts of her taste filled his head.
“Have you gone mute?” Yasmine asked.
She crossed her arms over her breasts and leaned against the doorjamb.
“No. Can I come in?” He found his voice.
“Are you here to make more grand declarations?” She looked at him with the suspicious look he loved.
“No.” He stifled a smile.
He had missed her sharp tongue. She stepped back and walked into the house. He stepped in, closing the door behind him. He followed her, watching the sexy sway of her full ass. He had missed a lot of things. Yasmine strode through the kitchen, then out the back patio doors. She sat on a chair by the patio table and curled her legs under her. Sedeo leaned on the railing close to her. He studied her.
“Are you going to speak anytime soon?”
“I’ve missed you, Yasmine.” He smiled softly.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes. “Really? No word for more than three weeks, and you missed me, huh?”
He looked off to the ocean and said, “I couldn’t face you with false promises, without knowing for sure I can deal with what you do.”
“I guess you came to a realization. From your tone, I already know what’s coming. So what is it, Sedeo? The great break up? We already went through this!” Yasmine snapped.
He looked at her. She was sitting with her arms crossed, her back stiff.
“Yes, we have. And Yasmine, I know I can never accept what you do. I’ll always have this ball in my gut when you go to work,” he stated.
“So much for not making any great declarations. Just leave, Sedeo.” Yasmine jumped up and stood at the porch railing, as far away from him as she could get.
She gripped the wood tightly and looked out at the ocean. Sedeo followed her and leaned against the rail next to her. Yasmine stiffened.
“God, Sedeo. I can’t do this again. Please leave.” Her voice was hoarse.
“I can’t,” he replied.
“Why?” She turned to him, her fists clenched.
Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. Sedeo closed the distance between them, and she flinched in response. He ignored her reaction and stiff posture and pulled her against him.
“I can’t live with what you do, but I find not being with you supersedes everything else.”
“What are you saying?” She blinked at him.
“From the first time I laid eyes on you, even though it was during the worst moment of my life, I felt as if I’d been burned. You were burned into my soul. I hated myself for lusting after you when my sister lay dying. For weeks, I thought of you. Then when you came to me all I could think of was I wanted you. But I was still ashamed of myself for it. For weeks after, I stayed away, and then came to you. As I got to know you, I knew then it wasn’t just a sexual attraction, but something more. I fought it because I didn’t want to face what you are. You fight fires, and they killed someone I love.” He raised a trembling hand and smoothed it against her cheek. “I’m afraid it will take you from me.”
“Sedeo, we don’t have any control over when it’s our time to die.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I know. God, I do. But it scares me your life is in danger whenever you go to work.” He paused and studied her face, then continued. “That will never change, but I can’t be without you. Can’t stand one more moment without you. Holding you and being with you. I love you, Yasmine.”
Yasmine was silent as she studied him. After a few moments, she raised her hand and slapped him upside the head.
“You’re such a dunderhead, Sedeo Parker.”
Copyright © 2009 Aliyah Burke and McKenna Jeffries
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.
Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
TJ Michaels
Lauren Dane
Ashley Ladd
Vivian Arend
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
McKenna Jeffries
Mandy M Roth
Mari Carr
HelenKay Dimon
Blogging at Romance Studio
Friday, September 17th, 2010I’m blogging at Romance Studio. Check me out here.
Embrace the differences
Tuesday, September 14th, 2010In a book I read recently there were many things that left me thinking. The book explored the differences in the couple. I know people are different in many ways. Heck I love the differences in my family, friends and people I interact with. Yet something in the book I read made it resonate. In the book the couple was as different as two people could be. Their friends or lack of them were opposites. Their jobs were opposite and thoughts on many things clashed. Yet it worked for them. They were the epitome of the old adage “opposites attracts”. It was their differences they each found so attractive. Having a carbon copy of yourself is boring. The spice comes from being able to live with each other’s differences. Embrace them. They did. Of course after reading the book. It made me think of couples I know. Many of them are different yet they make it work. They don’t try and change each other. They enjoy the differences.
The thought of differences made me also take a look at those around me. Those I see when I take the train to and from work. The friends or couple who at a glance from someone who doesn’t know them seem to be so different. The friends or couple laugh, talk and seem to know each other well. From the conversations I overhear they banter about their differences in thoughts, opinions and even chuckle at it. There is closeness in their body language that shows they trust each other. Watching them after reading the book was an intriguing thing.
It made me think of my own friends, family and interactions. I have a wide array of people I am around. Their differences are what make spending time together so much fun. We have had such great conversation because of this. It has crossed my mind on brief occasions how each person is so different but it doesn’t matter at all. It is about that person and no matter how different. We just embrace those differences.
Snippet Saturday – Breakups!
Saturday, September 11th, 2010
Today’s snippet theme is Breakups. Enjoy.
An snippet from Conquering Jazz…
Bracing for him to leave her, she turned to look at him. Seeing the sorrow and pity in his eyes was an even worse blow. She knew Reese would feel obligated to stay with her now, but she couldn’t let him. Turning away, she got up and walked to the other side of the room, away from him.
“I can’t give you what you want, Reese, so leave. I know you feel sorry for me now that you know, but I don’t want that. And I don’t want you to miss out on having children. I was selfish, just wanting you for me, but…”
Jasmine jumped as he roared, “Who the hell do you think you are?”
Turning to face him, she instinctively backed up at the rage she saw on his face. Catching herself, she stopped and stood her ground. In awe, she watched him battle to control his anger. His eyes snapped with not only anger, but also hurt.
His voice was hoarse as he spoke. “How could you think I wouldn’t want you, or still love you, because you can’t have kids? My love isn’t that shallow. This is real, Jasmine. It’s not about what you can give or not give me. I love you, Jasmine.” He stopped, waiting expectantly.
Hope blossomed in her as she looked into his angry face. Thinking of how happy she could be with him, Jasmine started toward him. But she stopped as she remembered what happened the last time she let herself love. Putting her arms around her stomach, she knew she couldn’t allow it. Emptiness filled her, making her heart ache. Battling tears, she looked at him. He deserved a whole woman, not someone as broken as she was.
Forcing herself, she said the words she knew would drive him away. “Ha! I thought what I had with Derek was real. Look what it got me. Nothing but pain and anguish. I can’t love you, Reese. I never can.”
Her breath caught at the devastation on his face. She waited for him to storm out. He looked at her through wounded eyes, and silently took a small jewelry box out of his pocket. His movements stiff, he walked over to the center table and flung the box down. It bounced from the table onto the floor as he turned, walking out the door and slamming it behind him.
The silence echoed after he left. Shaken, Jasmine stood frozen in place. Her body ached. Finally, she moved forward, and taking the box off the floor, opened it. Seeing his mother’s engagement ring, she collapsed onto the floor. Silent tears rolled down her face. Rocking back and forth, she wrapped her arms around her body, trying to ward off the pain.
After a while, she drew a shaky breath, wiped her eyes, and stood slowly, each movement agony. Closing the box, she placed it slowly onto the table. Listlessly, she gathered her bag and went out the door. She hurried to her car and got behind the wheel. She started the car and pulled out of the drive. Briefly, she glanced at Reese’s house and saw he wasn’t there. Turning, she drove down the street as tears flowed, blurring her vision.
Copyright © McKenna Jeffries, 2008.
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.
Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
TJ Michaels
Lissa Matthews
Lauren Dane
Ashley Ladd
Vivian Arend
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
McKenna Jeffries
Mandy M Roth
Mari Carr
HelenKay Dimon
Escape
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010I’ve been taking an escape. I escape into books, movies. TV’s or video games. Just something that takes me away from the regular day. There are various ways I escape.
This last long weekend I had I used it to escape. I didn’t turn on the TV or even read. Didn’t go near my computer either. I used the time to actually have some me time. I pampered myself with a decadent breakfast and also planned my lunch and dinner. Then I sat and enjoyed my breakfast. After I lounged around my house and listened to music. Sometimes I even got up and danced around my house. I went out and had my hair, nails, and toes pampered. When I got back home I napped, talked to friends I hadn’t spoken to in a while, ate and just lazed around. I did this for three days and it energized me.
Taking a moment to escape from the regular grind made me ready to dive back. It was fun.
So what do you do to escape?
Snippet Saturday – Worldbuilding
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
Today’s snippet theme is Worldbuilding.To get you into the world I created I’m letting one of my character’s do the talking. 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.
Between 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.
