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Archive for May, 2006
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006
I’m putting together a proposal for Hillary Sares and Kensington and when I got to the end of my synopsis, I realized the book did not have a traditional happily ever after (HEA), but rather it was a happy ending. I hope I’m explaining that right.
You know, the heroine doesn’t go off into the sunset with the hero, married. She becomes partners with him and they continue to have sex. Erp. Note that this is 1875 Texas, y’all. Not exactly a den of free thinkers in terms of women who are free with their favors.
What to y’all think? Would you be pissed if you read an historical story where the heroine doesn’t marry the hero?
Posted in Writing  4 People Said Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Sybil - beth - Indy -
Tuesday, May 30th, 2006
The yard work yesterday caught up with me this morning. Ouch. My lower back and the back of the legs are screaming. :-s
I’m setting another goal this week to get my proposals together for Hillary Sares and Kensington and Shauna Summers at Bantam Dell.
Need to polish that game face again. Where did I put it? Oh, here it is!
Game. Face. On. >:)
Posted in Writing Say Something Link
Monday, May 29th, 2006
Today was incredibly busy and I forgot to blog. :”>
The good news is, I finished my edits for The Treasure. I’m giving y’all a sneak peek below. ;)
Enjoy!
Excerpt from The Treasure:
Lily was hot. After the incident with Ray in the hallway, her entire body was flushed and she felt a bit feverish. Odd, really, that reaction to a man. She had never had it before, and hadn’t expected it.
After washing up, she went into her room and opened the window a bit to try to cool herself off. The moon was bright in the dark sky. She opened the window a bit more and leaned out to get a better look.
Then her natural grace took over, and she fell out the window into the snow.
She landed on her nose, which immediately made a popping noise, and a warm gush of blood bathed her face. The snow was absolutely freezing and her entire body was lying on that frozen mass, from tip to toes. She pushed up on her elbows and ended up shoving her hands deeper into the snow.
Yes, indeed, her fine graceful self just had to make itself known. Hopefully she could climb back into her window without anyone seeing her.
The sound of boots rapidly running through the snow toward her dashed that hope to the rocks.
“Lily! My God, are you all right?”
She turned her head and peered at him in the darkness. Might as well be honest. “No, I think I may have broken my nose. And I can’t seem to get out of this snow. I’m afraid frostbite will be a possibility if I don’t figure how.”
Strong arms lifted her effortlessly and she found herself being carried by Ray before she could blink. It was dark enough that she couldn’t see his expression under the shadow of his hat, but she had no doubt it was not a happy face.
“Thank you.”
Lily tilted her head back and pinched the bridge of her nose to stop the bleeding. Her nose was really the least of her concerns. Ray Malloy was the biggest.
He opened the door and carried her inside, kicking the door closed behind him. She had the insane notion of a groom carrying his bride over the threshold and she started laughing. The more she tried to stop, the harder she laughed.
“I’m not sure what’s so damn funny, but if you don’t hush up, I’m gonna throw you back into the snow.”
Ray carried her over to the sofa in the living room and set her down. He glanced at her white nightgown and immediately his eyes changed. The pupils dilated and a hazy glow surrounded the green. His nostrils flared and his lips tightened.
Lily thought it was blood that he saw, but when she looked at her nightgown, she realized the snow had turned the white garment transparent. He could clearly see her breasts, and her nipples, which were puckered tighter than a stone, as well as a hint of the dark hair between her legs.
Lily was never so embarrassed in her life. She didn’t know whether to stop her nosebleed or cover herself, so she tried both. One arm landed over her breasts, while the other continued to pinch her nose.
“Do you think you could get me a towel, and perhaps some of that snow for my nose?”
His gaze snapped to hers and what she saw in his eyes made her breath stop. Raw, blatant desire. For her. A plump, on the shelf spinster with a shady childhood and a penchant for tripping over her own two feet. Lily felt an answering yearning in herself, a need to find out if what she saw, what she felt from him, was more than lust.
“I…”
“Let me get that towel.” He said and then he was gone before she could finish her sentence.
Lily started shivering. She didn’t know if it was from the snow bath or from the look in Ray’s eyes when he stared at her nearly naked body.
She was afraid it was from the latter. And she had no idea what to do about it.
* * * *
Ray stumbled into the kitchen and stared at the sink for a full minute before he realized he was standing there like a fence post holding up nothing but air. He grabbed a towel from the side of the sink and opened the back door to scoop up some snow.
Goddamn!
He had just calmed himself down and was able to not think about Lily, and then to see her just about naked. The raging erection in his jeans was about to bust a button or two. Maybe he should stuff the snow down his pants instead.
After wrapping the towel around the snow, he rubbed his cold hand on his face, trying to regain at least a portion of his self control. Life wasn’t exactly orderly before Lily got here, but it wasn’t this gut-wrenching, off-balance shit either.
He didn’t like it. He apparently had no self-control when it came to Lily. He knew he should have listened to his instincts at the train station and popped her beautiful ass on an eastbound train immediately.
Too late, too late. Chimed in his demons. She’s in your blood.
He grabbed a washrag from the sink and stalked back into the living room. Lily was pinching her nose with one bloody hand and trying to cover herself with the other. Made him feel like a horse’s ass.
“Let’s get you cleaned up.” He sat on the edge of the sofa. “Hold the towel and let me wash the blood off.”
She pulled her hand away from her nose and took the towel from him. Her whiskey-colored eyes watched him warily as he leaned closer. As gently as he could, he washed the blood away from her nose. Some of it had dried already so he had to rub a bit. She didn’t make a sound, but he saw her wince when he was too rough. He was a hell of a bad nurse.
When Ray touched the hand covering her chest, she squeaked a protest.
“Look, Lily, I’m not going to attack you. I just want to clean the blood off your hand.”
She nodded and tentatively held out her hand. He didn’t blame her for being wary since he barked and growled a lot. There wasn’t much that was soft about him. He wiped the blood off her hand, trying not to notice that her fingers were long and slender. However, he couldn’t help but notice that she had calluses on her hands. The mark of a woman used to working, to making her own way.
His opinion of Lily Wickham just went up a notch or two. Nothing Ray despised more than a princess who wanted to be waited on.
“Now switch hands and put the towel up on your nose. The snow should help with the swelling.”
She did as he bade and he wiped her other hand off. When he finished, he pulled the towel away gently to look at her nose.
“I don’t think it’s broken.”
He replaced the towel and met her gaze sternly.
“If you were Melody, I’d tan your hide for having the window open in the dead of winter. I could also say that you got exactly what you asked for, leaning out the window so far.”
She scowled and looked put out. “I was hot… I mean, it was too warm in my room. The fireplace was putting out a lot of heat. It was only for a moment or two. I never meant… well, truth is, I tend to be a bit clumsy.”
She looked as if he was going to spank her and put her in her room. The thought of her round ass beneath his hands had his imagination running away straight into his trousers. An area that didn’t need more attention.
“I noticed.”
She sighed and looked resigned. “I’m afraid it’s hard to hide. Do you… that is… you won’t fire me because of my clumsiness, will you?”
Ray was taken aback. She thought he would fire her because she popped her nose in the snow? Or made a mess in the kitchen? Was she kidding?
“No. That’s kind of a stupid question.”
“It’s most certainly not a stupid question. I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear your answer. I’ve had some… difficulties with employers in the past with my graceless mistakes. I want you to know that I will replace anything I break.”
“Nothing here is worth more than the wood it sits on, Lily. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
She smiled around the towel and her eyes sparkled with something like gratitude. She reached for his hands, and a thread of panic stung him on the neck.
“Thank you, Ray. I promise I will try to be more careful.”
He stood abruptly. “I’ll just go wash this out.”
Leaving her with her mouth slightly open in surprise, Ray fled the room with the washrag clutched in his hand.
Posted in Writing Say Something Link
Sunday, May 28th, 2006
Scott Carpenter is wonderful. He is doing the entire Malloy series covers for Samhain. Check out the newest one for The Treasure, book 4, coming to you in July.
Isn’t it gorgeous? I luuuuuuuv it! This is Raymond’s story – if you’ve read any of the others, you’ll remember him. The grumpy, intense older brother. :D
I’m in the middle of the edits for it, but I’ll post an excerpt tomorrow. ;)
Posted in Writing Say Something Link
Saturday, May 27th, 2006
OMG – I was so excited yesterday – I got my galley proof for the print version of The Bounty! *snoopy dance*
This is my first book that will go into bookstores (Borders and Waldenbooks) on July 18. It’s been re-published by Samhain, and really my first, first book. My baby, my lovin’ puddin’ pie. The book that took me eight years to write and publish. :x
My stomach fluttered when I got the e-mail with the galley proof. I am so completely jazzed!!!!
Um, can you tell I’m excited? :D
And sweetie pie Sybil has asked me give a quick EBUZZ review for her blog, The Good, The Bad, and the Unread…. Must do that. She’s such a hoot and I love her reviews.
Posted in Writing 3 People Said Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Jorrie Spencer - Sybil - beth -
Friday, May 26th, 2006
Stupid folks doing some work at the house cut my cable line – I’ve been offline for 24 hours. Gasp! Withdrawal, shakes, and the grumpies.
Back online now. Good news is I finished my edits for The Reward in time for my editor to dash out the door on vacation! Whew!
Next I have to add about 3K to The Treasure and my edits are done for now. Lord, I need to get my butt in gear and my submissions sent to the editors I met at RT!
I hope y’all have a fabulous holiday weekend!
Posted in Writing Say Something Link
Thursday, May 25th, 2006
Yep, I can’t believe it! I watched The Bounty make it up to number 4 on the My Bookstore and More Top Ten Best Seller List (this is where you buy Samhain books). Perhaps it was a fluke… :o
The Prize, released last week, was at number 8, then 7, and now number 6! Holy shikies! <:-p I never expected them both to hit the top 10 - I mean, Samhain has authors that are highest caliber, best-selling people.
I'm excited, shocked, and amazed! Perhaps I'll go buy me a new purse to celebrate... (my weakness, purses). \:d/
The game face is still working! Woot! I am so going to reach my goal on Monday to get all my edits done. >:)
Posted in Writing Say Something Link
Wednesday, May 24th, 2006
My next Loose Id release is officially on the LI site: http://www.loose-id.net/detail.aspx?ID=270
Isn’t that cover hot? Scott Carpenter is doing the covers for the whole series for me – there are three in all. \:d/ The first one is called One Night Stand and it’s my first interracial. The hero is Japanese and the heroine is half-white, half-Mexican.
OMG – I’m so excited! It releases on June 13 (should be anyway) so only three weeks to go. Woop woop!
The game face is working BTW. I’ve gotten through the second pass of The Reward edits and now starting on the third. My editor is an amazing woman with the eyes of an eagle. We are an amazing team if I do say so myself. :D
Posted in Writing 2 People Said Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Sasha - beth -
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006
I think it’s been in the closet for the past three weeks. With RT and getting it all together for that, my game face got dusty.
But now it’s back! >:)
I’ve got to finish edits by tomorrow night for The Reward and then my personal goal is to finish my edits to The Treasure by Monday night.
Sasha made me state my goal so we could be accountable to each other. She’s so pushy. ;))
Game. Face. On. >:)
Posted in Writing 2 People Said Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Sasha - beth -
Monday, May 22nd, 2006
So here’s the news! Last Tuesday marked the re-release of The Prize by Samhain Publishing. This is probably the Malloy story that touched me the deepest. It’s dedicated to my muse sister and friend, Christy Gissendaner. If you liked The Bounty, you need to read The Prize. The cover is by the most fabulous Scott Carpenter. I’m posting a blurb and excerpt below.
The Prize
Book 2 of the Malloy family series
 Blurb:
What do you do when love gives you a second chance at life?
Jack Malloy is haunted.
Haunted by memories, he tries to escape the dreams that have stolen his sleep for six months by agreeing to help out his sister Nicky. Unfortunately, time at her ranch offers him no escape when he’s confronted by Rebecca Connor’s beautiful gray eyes. For unbeknownst to her, she is a participant in his nightmares every night.
Rebecca Connor is haunted.
Haunted by memories she’s trying to escape that have stolen her future. Her attraction to Jack is unsettling for a woman that has sworn off men. But something keeps drawing her closer to him, and she can’t help but wonder what his hands would feel like on her skin…
Fate pushes them together when they become stranded, snowbound, on a lonely Wyoming ranch. There they rediscover what living is all about. With passion hotter than the sun, they learn to feel pleasure together, how to trust again, and how to love. But is it enough to face the demons of their past, or will they forever be haunted?
Excerpt:
Jack carried in the cradle an hour later. It was covered in a tarp, piquing Rebecca’s curiosity. Nicky had been so excited about it, going on and on about how beautiful it was until Tyler dragged her upstairs to rest. And Jack had made it. Apparently he had been the family’s official furniture maker for at least the last ten years. It was hard to believe that a 14 or 15-year-old boy could make furniture that well. She’d been surprised to learn how many of the pieces in the Malloys’ ranch house were actually made by him. Surprised and very impressed.
He brought the cradle into the addition and she followed him. Normally being in a room with a man was uncomfortable for her, but for some reason she had never felt that way with Jack. Perhaps because he seemed even more uncomfortable around her. Jack set it down on the floor with care, then took the tarp off.
Rebecca was nearly rendered speechless. She had never seen such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. The cradle looked to be rosewood with lighter colored inlays that were tiny little angels. The rockers were shaped and matched perfectly. The beauty of it was simply incredible. She walked over and he jumped to his feet, looking at her like a deer staring at a hunter, wide-eyed and tense.
“I was wondering if I could touch it.”
He stared at her.
“The cradle, Mr. Malloy. May I?”
He nodded, but did not relax his stance one smidge. What in the world?
She ran her hands along the wood. It was smooth and nearly seamless. “You made this?”
He seemed to find his voice. “Yeah, I did.”
She looked into his blue, blue eyes and smiled her friendliest smile. “It’s magnificent. You have a true talent, Mr. Malloy.”
“Jack.”
“I beg your pardon?” She wasn’t sure he’d even spoken.
“Call me Jack. When I hear Mr. Malloy I turn around and look for my Pa,” he said.
On a good day, he probably would have delivered that statement with some of his humor, which she’d heard about but hadn’t witnessed yet. But today was apparently not a good day for him. He looked just horrible. His eyes were blood red, the rims were swollen and he had huge dark circles under them. She could see his hands shaking. Cataloguing the symptoms in her head, as her father had taught her to do, Jack had either given up long-term drinking, or he had not slept in some time. She believed it was the latter.
“Very well, I will call you Jack, if you call me Rebecca.”
He nodded.
“Thank you for letting me see the cradle,” she said as she left the room. “It’s a wonderful gift.”
*
Jack dropped down on the floor after she left.
Holy hell.
He had wondered what it would be like to actually see Rebecca again. On the one hand, she reminded him of the nightmares he was trying so desperately to forget. On the other hand, he felt a strange pull, an attraction to her. He’d felt it before when they’d first met six months ago. It had frightened him then. It frightened him now. He tried to tell himself it was just pure lust. Possible, but not likely. Jack didn’t really feel pure lust around women without running the other direction.
Maybe it was because she was in his dreams. Granted they were not erotic dreams that men should be having about women, but still. She was there and always beautiful, always pleading with him for help. God, if only he could help himself.
He didn’t know what the strange pull was. But when she ran her hands along that cradle, he had been astonished to feel himself harden. He imagined it was he she was caressing and feeling with those small, slender hands. He had to suppress a shudder of longing before she saw it. There was something there.
And he didn’t know what to do about it.
So he decided to avoid her, to exit the room if she entered, to not even speak to her unless she spoke to him first. Self-preservation was a mighty strong thing to resist. He had a feeling that if he didn’t run, life as he knew it would never be the same.
**
http://www.samhainpublishing.com/theprize.shtml
Posted in Writing Someone Said Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Christy -
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