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Two Kisses to Sweeten Tax Day!

15 Apr

Today’s the RomCon 2013 Tax Day Relief Blog Hop!

It’s tax day and to cheer us all up I thought I’d share two first kiss scenes. The first is from my contemporary romance, Clear As Day, available now from The Wild Rose Press.

Romance, Contemporary Romance“Kay!” That male voice was not her imagination.

“Oh, shit!” She twisted and dropped into the water, sinking neck-deep. Mother always said, among other things, that a lady never goes skinny-dipping and must always wear a proper hat. Kay was only half skinny-dipping, but she fervently wished she’d worn something a bit more substantial than a baseball cap and the bottom half of the quintessential teeny-weenie yellow polka-dot bikini.

Shit, oh, shit, oh, shit. She so hated when Mother was right.

Okay, time to find out who’d just gotten an eyeful. The guy had called her name, so she should know him. Oh boy, if she’d flashed old George…

She wiped water from her face, sucked in a breath against her pounding heart, and peeked around.

Nate.

She must be sun-dazed. Nate? With a beard? Hair curling over his ears? No way. Just because a familiar slouchy fishing hat topped those unruly, sun-bleached blond curls and just because this guy possessed the same deep-water tan and footloose taste in clothes as Nate with his electric blue Hawaiian shirt, bright orange swim trunks, and beat-up deck shoes didn’t mean–

“Hey, babe. Now that I’ve finally caught your attention, how about a hug from my girl?” He opened his arms. “Am I coming in after you or are you coming out?” Only Nate’s voice held that mellow timbre like chocolate for her ears.

“Nate! What…” Giddy delight flushed over Kay, clearing her shock. She dashed from the water and into strong arms, a wonderful hug, and a better kiss that launched her mind into a blissed-out whirl of oh, yes and why?

The oh, yes won out until the need to breathe forced them apart.

Nate gave her a long look, his usually easy gray eyes holding a new, simmering heat.

Wow. Whoa.

His slow hands followed the trail of his roving gaze: gentle tracing of cheek and lips, gliding across hips, waist and ribs, and grazing over her breasts to cup and caress. With his tender, simple touches, he stirred the warm desire of her daydream into full need. She shut her eyes, soaking in the unexpected pleasure. Oh, yes.

“Damn, I missed you.” He settled his mouth back on hers.

The second kiss is a first glimpse at my new contemporary romance, Summertime Dream, which I’ve just recently submitted. Fingers crossed for good news! Christopher and Margie appeared in Clear As Day and I had a wonderful time writing the story of how they met and fell in love.

Quiet fell between them for a while. Bees buzzed in the clover. Birds sang, chirped, and flitted. A hummingbird whizzed past. Two more ducks joined the first amid quiet bickering quacks. Dandelion fluff drifted by on an unfelt breeze.

A truck rattled down the lane, breaking the moment.

“Suppose we ought to head back…” Christopher turned, so close their arms brushed, but instead of retreating, he hesitated. Their eyes locked. Where dismay and frustration had filled his green eyes, want simmered. The heavy air electrified.

You need a change.

On a surge of bewildering crazy courage, Margie stretched up and kissed him. The brief brush of lips to lips left her shaken and her heart pounding, like she had just come up for air.

His eyes widened in his serious, craggy face.

No, oh, no. Blowing out a shaky breath, she pressed a hand to her stomach, her insides quivering with shock. She’d carried her day’s adventure one impetuous step too far. Her heroines were the adventurous part of her. She’d never even kissed on a first date before and this wasn’t even a date.

Before the apology fluttering in her mind could break free, he cupped her cheek and touched his mouth down on hers.

Thinking faded as feeling soared. His gentle touch sweet and fascinating, his lips warm and firm played over hers, unhurried in his caresses and enticing brushes. He laced his fingers into her hair, cradling her head in his hand. He tenderly nipped her lip and licked at her mouth, inviting her rather than taking.

She sighed, elated on this lovely, reckless rush. Yes. Yes. Yes. Forget that they had just met. She could want again.

Gripping his shoulder, she accepted the heady invitation, and the kiss deepened into perfect.

Want to win 50% off Fan Admission to RomCon® 2013? Go to RomCon.com today, April 15, and leave a comment on the blog hop post at RomCon.com and you’ll be entered to win one of twenty-five 50% off coupons to RomCon® 2013! (Fan registration only, not the Meal Plan. New registration only. Void where prohibited.)

You’ll find a list of other participating authors at the blog hop post at RomCon.com

My Giveaway: Do you have favorite memories of a first kiss? For my visitors today, I’m giving away sets of Romance Trading Cards for Clear As Day. If you’d like to receive a set, just leave your email address with your comment below.

Romancing Your E-Reader Book Bash

27 Dec

Welcome readers. Did you find a new e-reader under the tree? Well, have we got a sweet deal for you.

22 Authors – 27 E-book Romances – Two Grand Prize Winners!

Romancing Your e-Reader Book Bash

That’s right. Two lucky winners will be filling their new toys with free romance e-books. First prize 15 titles. Second prize 12 titles. How do I win, you ask? Simple. The contributing authors have posted the blurb from their book at their websites (links below) and have asked a question about the blurb. Answer the question in a comment at each site. Each question answered is another entry toward one of the two grand prizes. And that’s not all. Many of the hops along the way are offering individual prizes as well. So be sure to visit as many as you can. 

Grand prize winners will be announced on the 30th.

My contribution to the Grand Prize is my sweetly scorching contemporary romance, Clear As Day.

In addition, one lucky commenter on my blog will win a package of goodies, including a set of Romance Trading cards.

Contemporary Romance, Romance, Summer Romance, Vacation Romance

What’s a girl to do when her summer lover wants forever?

Haunted by dark memories of her parents’ volatile marriage, artist Kay Browning keeps her heart locked behind a free-spirit facade and contents herself with the comfortable affair she has every summer with easygoing photographer Nate Quinn.

The only trouble with her plan? This summer Nate’s come to Lake Mohave to claim the lover he can’t let go. He’s done with the endless traveling and settling for temporary homes and temporary loves. Kay’s always been more than just a vacation fling, and now he must convince this woman, who sees love as a course to certain heartbreak, to take that leap of faith and learn how safe love with the right man can be.

You can read Chapter One here.

Here’s my question:

Kay and Nate vacation together every year at Lake Mojave. Where is your favorite vacation spot and what do you love about it?

Don’t forget to leave your answer in the comments, then head on off to check out the rest of the blurbs and more chances to win. Good luck and happy reading.

THAT DATING THING by Mackenzie Crowne ~ mackenziecrowne.com

HOME  by Calisa Rhose ~ calisarhose.wordpress.com

MONA LISA’S ROOM by Vonnie Davis (plus a little sweet) ~ vintagevonnie.blogspot.com

STEPPING OUT OF LINE by Linda Carroll Bradd ~ blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com

DECEPTIONS OF THE HEART by Denise Moncrief ~ ~ denisemoncrief.blogspot.com

BE STILL MY LOVER’S HEART  by Lisa Hannah Wells ~ memorymakerscreator.blogspot.com

MURDER IN THE BUFF by Maggie Toussaint ~ mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com

THE TREASURE OF COMO BLUFF by Alison Henderson ~ AliceHenderson.com

SHANGHAI CONNECTION by Carol Henry ~ macsmadmania.blogspot.com

SOMEWHERE MY LOVE (A ghostly time travel romance) by Beth Trissell ~  bethtrissel.wordpress.com

FAERIE FOOL by Silver James ~ Silverjames.com

AN UNEXPECTED GIFT by Katherine Grey ~ katherinegrey.blogspot.com

TAKE ME HOME, COWBOY by Krista Ames (Plus 4 Anthology titles below) ~ apassionforromance.blogspot.com

THE DOLLHOUSE (For the Love of Christmas Anthology) by Dani-Lyn Alexander~  danilynalexander.com

STUDIO RELATIONS by Georgie Lee ~ georgielee.blogspot.com

A SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER by Joanne Stewart ~ jm-stewart.blogspot.com

MAGIC OF THE LOCH by Karen Michelle Nutt ~ kmnbooks.blogspot.com

THE BETTER MAN by Ceri Hebert ~ cerihebert.wordpress.com

THREAT TO OUR FOREVER by Em Epe ~ emeperomances.blogspot.com

CONNECT THE DOTS (For the Love of Christmas Anthology) by Jennifer Eaton ~ jennifermeaton.com

FADEOUT by Rolynn Anderson ~ blog.rolynnanderson.com

Plus four anthologies, courtesy of Krista Ames: BELIEVE CHRISTMAS ~ BE MINE, VALENTINE ~ ALL BETS ARE ON ~ SUMMER SHORTS

If You Have a Moment to Vote Clear As Day is Up For Best Cover

22 Oct

If you have the time to stop by and vote, Clear As Day is Entry #17 in the October 2012 You Gotta Read Reviews Cover Contest. I love the cover Kim Mendoza designed for my story!

Voting runs to October 26. To vote: http://yougottaread.com/vote-now-for-the-october-2012-cover-contest/

Contemporary Romance, Romance, Summer Romance, Vacation Romance

I’m at The Author’s Corner with Elaine Raco Chase 10-18-12 at 8 PM EDT

18 Oct

I’ll be chatting about Clear As Day at The Author’s Corner,  tonight, October 18,  with host, Elaine Raco Chase.  Call in and join us in the chat – head to www.trianglevarietyradio.com – click on Blog Talk Radio at 8PM EASTERN time….podcasts are available after the show!

Contemporary Romance, Romance, Summer Romance, Vacation Romance

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