McKenna Jeffries

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

A snippet from Wicked Burn…

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 dreamt.

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, 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 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 across her, and she looked up at the man who stood a few inches taller than her. He stared down at her with 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 finished almost before it started, and when he pulled back, his eyes swirled with barely restrained passion.

“Hate me if you must, Yasmine Van Cort, but I had to kiss you,” he mumbled against her lips.

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

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Today’s snippet theme is Author’s Choice. Below is a scene from a book I co-authored Aliyah Burke. Enjoy.

A snippet from Wicked Burn…

His words pulled her from her thoughts.

“I’ve had such mixed feelings. I was grateful to you for saving Shelby, yet I blamed you, all of you, who were at the fire for not saving my sister and her husband.”

Yasmine stopped, disentangling her hand from his. Rufus whined, but sat, waiting for her to move. She gave her attention to Sedeo. He put Shelby down and held her hand. He met her gaze steadily.

“Why are you telling me this now, so suddenly?”

His statement had come out of the blue. They had been having such a good night.

“I had to.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m so angry with you, but I can’t stay away!” he cried.

She stared at him. She could understand both things. The same need is what drove her to use the picture as an excuse to see him. As a firefighter, she had faced the anger before from the survivors. They needed someone to blame, and it was easy to make the firefighters a scapegoat. Although she understood, it still hurt that he blamed her.

This is what you get for letting yourself get involved with a fire survivor. He might not have been in the actual fire, but he was still a survivor. He had to live with the aftermath. The blame, anger, and results. Yasmine crossed her arms under her breasts.

“I had to tell you. I’ve been doing research on the internet. On firefighters. Trying to understand what you do. Why do you do it? What’s the draw?”

“It’s my job. I love it. I’m not about to defend or explain it to you. ‘Nuff said.”

She wondered if this was some sort of survivor syndrome. Yasmine knew when people were put in such tragic circumstances they could develop an unhealthy attachment to those they perceived had helped them. She couldn’t believe she had missed it with Sedeo.

“This is not some survivor syndrome,” he said, as if reading her mind.

She glanced at him, startled. His look was steady.

“I looked into that, too. My feelings were so strong when I meet you, despite the circumstances. When I saw you again, it was out of control. I’ve never felt that way–this instantaneous attraction, a connection that seems like I’ve known you for so long, instead of the brief time I have.” He stopped, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again.

She gasped at the intensity of his gaze.

He continued. “I wanted to be sure of what I was feeling. I read everything I could find. Talked with a therapist about it, even. Ultimately, I figured out it wasn’t a false connection, but real. If this was untrue, I would have come to you weeks ago. I wouldn’t have fought coming to you for so long, even after I knew I wanted to know more about you…be with you…see where this could go. I didn’t come.”

His frustration was clear.

“Why did you come tonight?” she asked.

“I couldn’t stay away anymore,” he said softly.

Yasmine observed the need battling with his guilt, a guilt she was sure stemmed from him being alive while his family was gone. Sedeo reached out and cupped her cheek.

“I want to be here. Here with you. I’m afraid of you being a firefighter, but I can’t let that stop me. I need to be here. Let’s see how this goes.”

She couldn’t fault him for his truthfulness. If he had said he had come to terms with her profession, she would have walked away. With what he said, she couldn’t.

Be real. You wanted him from the very beginning. At least now, you know what you’re up against. And he wants you as much as you want him.

Yasmine turned her head and kissed his palm.

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

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Today’s snippet theme is Romantic. 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:
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Leah Braemel

Today’s snippet theme is Cold Place. 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

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Shiloh Walker
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Zoë Archer

Today’s snippet theme is Warm Place. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Distantly, he heard her say, “Your afternoon appointments have been cancelled.”

Jasmine looked up at him lazily. Her smile beckoned him. She pulled his head to her, and as she started to kiss him, she whispered, “Come with me.”

He sank into the sweet taste of her mouth. He would follow her anywhere.

****

Reese 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.

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

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

Eliza Gayle
Rhian Cahill
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
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Taige Crenshaw
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Lacey Savage
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TJ Michaels

Today’s snippet theme is Something Odd – A quirky Character or scene. This is one of my fav scences. It is with my heroine, her brothers and friend. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Opening the door of Visions, Jasmine remembered how Reese had looked when she left for work–sexy and tousled. It was hard for her to get out of bed with him looking so delicious, but she had work to make up for after leaving early on Friday. Going inside the lobby, she locked the door behind her, then noticed that there was no sound in the office.

Listening carefully, she confirmed it. She started to sing I Had a Hot Night Last Night, a song she and her brothers had made up to tease each other with when they were caught out late, or came to any function late. Singing at the top of her lungs, she knew she was off-key and didn’t care. She knew her Aunt Ainsley, who was singer before she got married, would be horrified to hear her. Walking further into the room, she dropped her briefcase on the ground and kicked off her shoes, then climbed up on the burgundy couch.

Facing the wall, she kept singing and started to dance. Jasmine felt exhilarated as she moved along the couch, bumping and grinding her hips from one end to the other, kicking the cream and hunter green cushions onto the floor. Coming back, she stopped in the middle of the couch and spread her arms wide, shimmying and moving.

A pair of hands grabbed her off the couch, startling her. Hearing his husky laugh, she knew it was Jamison. He turned her and she glanced up into his twinkling hazel gaze. Then he twirled her, and all she could do was hang on. He stopped, then started to dance himself. From the moves, Jasmine knew it was the Samba.

Picking up his rhythm, she joined him. She saw a flash of red, then glanced over to see Wolfe and Mia dancing the Salsa. They moved perfectly together. A whistle from Jamison caught her attention. Wolfe looked up, nodded and then she was twirling. Everything was a blur, and the wind blew across her face.

Jasmine felt Jamison’s arm ripple as he twirled her. Then he let go and she was sent into Wolfe’s arms. He caught her and, without breaking a step, changed to the Tango. All Jasmine could do was hold on and go with him.

Wolfe still dances beautifully. I wonder if Reese still knows how to do this, Jasmine thought as they started across the floor.

Jasmine knew they all could dance beautifully. After all, their mother, Raina Hamlin, had been a professional dancer at one time. She had taught all the Hamlin kids, Mia included, to dance. Jasmine couldn’t believe she still remembered the steps to the dance number her mother had created for the family, which she dubbed the “Hamlin Special”.

Hearing Mia shriek, she glanced at her in time to see Jamison swing Mia behind his back, and then pull her between his legs. Jasmine laughed in delight, then felt Wolfe shift his hold. He did the same thing as Jamison, but brought her up in the air, over his head, and held her there.

Looking up at the ceiling, Jasmine balanced as she had been taught all those years ago. She knew from experience that Wolfe wouldn’t drop her. He was one of the few people she trusted to try this move and never break his hold. He brought her back down smoothly, and into a deep dip, then went back into the Tango. Glancing over, she saw Mia and Jamison were doing the same thing. Wolfe spun her into his body, then out, letting her go. The turn lifted her dress. Then she stopped, and saw that she and Mia had ended up next to each other, as they always had.

Glancing down, she quickly put on her shoes. She needed them for the next part. Looking back at her brothers, she laughed as they did the Tango around the room, waiting for her to finish. They couldn’t decide who would lead. Nodding at Mia, Jasmine started the finale for the dance. Her brothers stopped and waited for them.

Jasmine started toward them in sexy strut, leg over leg. Then she stopped, halfway turning to face Mia. Bending from the waist, Jasmine put her hands to the floor before straightening slowly. Mia kicked one leg into the air and balanced on one shoe. Shaking her head, Jasmine didn’t try the move. She had never gotten it perfected, as Mia had. Mia slowly lowered her leg to the floor. Picking up the next step, Jasmine, along with Mia, continued to the men.

Reaching them, they walked around them once, then stopped to face them. Wolfe’s hand gripped her waist, and Jasmine dropped backward, curling her back. He held her as he swept her body across the floor, then took her into his arms and started the dance.

The steps were intricate and choreographed by their mother, a mixture of Modern, Italian, and Jazz. Jasmine enjoyed the exhilaration of letting loose. She hadn’t realized before how much she missed doing this with her brothers.

I’ll ask Reese if he wants to go dancing, or maybe we’ll have a private dance, she mused.

Laughing, she kicked her leg up around Wolfe’s waist and he held her, lowering her leg to the floor, then pulling her straight up before spinning her and going into a deep dip. Breathing harshly, Jasmine gasped for air. Looking at Wolfe, she saw he wasn’t even out of breath. He was laughing down at her.

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

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

Megan Hart — Read in bed!
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Delilah Devlin
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Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
TJ Michaels
Zoë Archer

Today’s snippet theme is Friends. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Laughing, Mia replied, “You know I’m a wicked woman with any type of food. But chocolate syrup is more my thing. Give me a bottle and I’m wild.”

“So, that’s why you pawned my account off on one of your employees?” demanded a deep baritone voice from the door behind Mia.

“Uh-oh. She’s going to blow,” Jasmine whispered.

Ignoring her, Mia replied in a scratchy, tight voice, without turning around. “Yes. So I can have time for my legion of men, who know what they want and can make up their damned minds.”

From the corner of her eye, Mia saw Jermaine’s muscular thighs come into view. Distracted by his nearness, she was caught unaware as he hauled her up out of the chair to face him.

“Well, your legion will have to wait. You aren’t going to leave my party in the hands of some incompetent idiot.”

Jasmine looked on in disbelief as they circled each other like boxers.

Jerking her arm from his hand, Mia replied through clenched teeth. “We don’t have incompetent people working here. But we do have difficult clients.” Mia looked pointedly at him. “We are more than happy to serve you the best we can by pairing you with a more compatible individual.”

Crossing his arms over his muscular chest, Jermaine scoffed. “I want you to plan the party, or I will take my business elsewhere. Unless you’re afraid you can’t handle a party like this.”

Sputtering, Mia answered, “I can handle any party, even your rinky-dink one, with my eyes closed.”

“Good, then it’s settled. When can we meet to talk over the changes we discussed last time?”

Mia’s gaze glittered dangerously. “We will not discuss anything. If you don’t want Vivian, you can…” Jasmine put her hand over Mia’s mouth from behind, muffling her as she kept talking.

Laughing, Jermaine reclined on Jasmine’s desk. “Hi Sis. Sorry for the interruption. My planner and I had a slight miscommunication. We’re working it out.” He gestured toward Mia, as she continued to rave behind Jasmine’s hand.

Jasmine watched uneasily as Jermaine’s expression turned speculative. “I haven’t seen much of you lately. Where have you been? Every time I call, you brush me off, or you’re not at home. So what have you been up to?”

Damn! He suspects something, Jasmine thought.

Clearing her throat, Jasmine replied, “Oh, I’ve just been busy, that’s all. Sorry I haven’t come by. I meant to get together with you, J. So how is everything going?”

“Everything is fine, but you’re not going to get off that easy. Where have you been? None of us has heard anything from you in weeks. So what’s going on? If I didn’t know better, I would swear you have a new boyfriend. But you always let us check him out, so, nah, that can’t be it.”

Guiltily, Jasmine laughed. “You’re so full of crap. I don’t let you check anyone out. You all get crazy and try to scare them away.” She wasn’t fooled by the innocent look on Jermaine face.

“Who, us? We’re harmless,” he said. “We just want what’s best for our little sis. And I want to make sure nobody takes advantage of my second half.”

“‘Best’ my foot. Buy a clue, J. We’re twins, so we’re the same age, bro. I’m not your little sis. You and the rest of our brothers just like to interfere and get revenge.”

Jermaine’s brown eyes twinkled as he grinned mischievously. “That too. But who can blame us, after all the pranks you’ve pulled.”

They laughed. Jasmine glanced at Mia, whose eyes still glittered as she stood silently. She glanced back at Jermaine as he spoke.

“I think she’s run out of energy now. You can let her go.”

Gingerly, Jasmine withdrew her hand. Mia slapped her on the arm, saying, “Don’t do that again. I know he’s your brother. I wasn’t going to hurt him–too much.”

Chuckling, Jasmine whispered, “I know, but I wanted to make sure you didn’t say something you would regret–although he is a pain in the ass sometimes.” They ignored him as he made a rude noise. “Jermaine is a client.”

The glare Mia gave Jermaine could have melted steel as she said loudly, “Yes, he’s more than a pain in the ass. He is a …Ouch! Stop that.” She rubbed her arm where Jasmine had pinched her. She continued to glare at Jermaine.

He returned her glare with a smirk. The tension in the room thickened.

“If you think I’ll work with you on anything, you are sadly mistaken,” Mia said.

“Oh no, I’m not. You are, if you think I’ll let you pawn me off like some chump to someone else. If you can’t be mature, that’s your problem.” He straightened his six-foot-four frame from his lounging position on Jasmine’s desk.

The verbal slings continued and escalated as Jasmine watched, trying not to laugh. Jermaine stalked across the carpet until he stood in Mia’s face. Mia was only slightly shorter than him, and in her heels, she almost met him eye to eye. They seemed like two cats, bristling at each other.

Then Jasmine’s eyes widened. There was more than animosity in their body language as they argued with each other. Mia stepped back as Jermaine advanced on her. Catching herself, Mia stood her ground. Jermaine reached her, and Jasmine watched in fascination as her normally cold brother proceeded to try and haul Mia up off her feet.

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

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

Megan Hart — Read in bed!
Eliza Gayle
Rhian Cahill
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Leah Braemel
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
TJ Michaels
Zoë Archer
Lacey Savage

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

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Reese 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.

(more…)

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

An snippet from Wicked Burn…

“Why are you telling me this now?” Yasmine swung her head toward him and stood, her chair crashing behind her.

“No matter what happens, I wanted you to know.” Sedeo smiled regretfully.

“Thanks so much, Mister Parker, for sharing with me. It makes me feel so much better.” She didn’t even try to keep the sarcasm from her voice.

She crossed her arms across her breasts, holding herself. The sadness on his face made her throat ache.

“I never meant to hurt you, Yasmine,” he stated quietly.

“I know, Sedeo. I know,” she replied, now suddenly fatigued beyond reason.

She knew he hadn’t meant to rip her apart one word at a time. She wanted to rail at him and destroy him in return, but she couldn’t. Despite it all, she knew he was a fair and good man. The look of uncertainty and sorrow on his face hit her like a punch to the gut.

How is it possible he is the one hurting me, and I want to comfort him? She quashed the feeling and smiled gently.

“It’s all right, Sedeo. Take She–” She cleared her throat, then continued. “Take Shelby and go home.”

He studied her. Yasmine kept her face blank and steady.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to deal with your job, Yasmine. I can’t promise I’ll come back, but I do love you.” Sedeo smiled softly.

A shaft of pain cut off her breath. She nodded abruptly. Sedeo sighed and started to reach for her. He stopped before he touched her, then turned and left the room. Yasmine stumbled back against the table. She heard his murmur to Shelby, but wasn’t sure what he said. The sound of running feet made her straighten and put on a smile. Shelby ran into the room and straight for her. She bent and caught her, lifting her up.

“Yas, we’re going home. But I’ll see ya soon, okay?” Shelby said.

Yasmine swallowed the lump in her throat, then spoke. “Bye, Miss Shelby.”

She hugged the little girl she wasn’t sure she would ever see again tight. A sensation of being watched filled her. She glanced beyond Shelby’s shoulder at Sedeo. He was solemn.

“Come on, sweetie. I’ll walk you to the door.” She walked across the room with her.

Sedeo stepped back out of the way. She continued down the hall and to the front door. Silently, Sedeo opened the door and took Shelby from her. Yasmine fought with herself not to hold onto her. She let her go. Sedeo’s hand brushed hers, and she stiffened, jerking away. Sedeo caught her hand with his. Yasmine looked up at him. His whiskey gaze glittered with tears. He opened his mouth to speak.

“Don’t,” she said.

He squeezed her hand and let her go. He raised Shelby higher, turned, and left. Yasmine closed the door behind him. Gripping the knob, she rested her forehead against the door.

“I love you, too,” she whispered to the empty room.

She raised her head, then pounded her fist against the door. A harsh sound came from her. She dropped to her knees, and tears burned her eyes. Turning, she slid down the door, then pulled her legs up and curled her arms around them, resting her cheek against her upraised knees. The wetness of her tears drenched her skin. A brush of fur startled her. She looked up. Rufus whined and licked her. Yasmine let out a ragged sound. Pulling him close, she lay down and curled around him as the tears flowed. Rufus nuzzled her and kept guard as she mourned.

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

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TJ Michaels

Today’s snippet theme is Family. This is a scene of Jazz’s girlfriends. Family is those you love in your life and they are there for all the moments. Good and Bad. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Jasmine came out of her reverie and moved away from Mia. She walked back toward the living room, Mia following. She retrieved her purse and keys, then kissed Mia on the cheek.

“I’ll see you later girl.”

“Jazz, you need to deal with this.”

“I’ve dealt with it. It’s a dead issue.”

“No, Jazz, it isn’t. You need to cry, or scream, Jazz. You’ve kept it bottled up for over four years. Let it out.”

“You’re a fine one to talk. When did you cry over…?” She stopped as pain flashed across Mia’s face. “I’m sorry, girl. Let it go. I’ll see you later.”

“No. Please don’t leave like this. Let me call Reese for you,” Mia pleaded.

“I’m fine,” Jasmine said. “I just realized that I had started to delude myself into believing that any man would love me, that any man could want to be with me.” She pounded her clenched fist on her chest. “I’ve been a fucking fool, Mia, living in a fantasy. I could never be happy with Reese. It’s time I woke up.” She started for the door, but Mia grabbed her and sat her down firmly.

“Jasmine, stop. Please let me call Reese. You need him.”

Standing swiftly, Jasmine flung her keys and her purse across the room in rage. Mia jumped back.

“I don’t need him, Mia! Leave it alone! Leave me alone. Please.” Jasmine felt her eyes burn as the flood of tears she’d wanted to control ripped through her, leaving her weak. She fought to contain them, but couldn’t. She collapsed on the floor, crying uncontrollably.

Mia looked at her and didn’t know what to do. The doorbell rang while she watched, helpless, as Jasmine sat on the floor, crying as if her heart was broken. It rang again, and Mia rushed to answer it. Opening it, she was glad to see it was their girlfriends at the door. She dragged them into the house. They looked at her as the sound of Jasmine’s ragged sobs reached them.

Mia quickly explained what had happened. They went into the living room and found Jasmine, curled into a ball, still crying. They knelt around her, pulling her up and into their circle.

Looking at the others, Mia said, “She needs to do this. She’s been holding it together for too long.”

They all held Jasmine as she cried out the pain. When she calmed, they gently took her into one of Mia’s guestrooms and helped her into a borrowed gown to sleep. Mia looked down at Jasmine’s puffy face. Glancing up, she motioned the rest of them to the door.

Once out of the room, she said, “I’m going to call Reese. Are you all going to stay?”

They all agreed, and went to the guestrooms to get changed. Mia walked down the stairs to the kitchen to place the call.

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

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Lauren Dane
Rhian Cahill
Eliza Gayle
Selena Blake
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
Leah Braemel
Louisa Edwards
TJ Michaels