Monday’s eye candy for your viewing pleasure.

I had to post this wonderful picture of my book club. This is a fabulouso group of ladies who have been together four years. We’ve read everything from romance to biographical books and everything in between. Last Friday we got together at the lovely Roberta’s house and talked about The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen (another NC writer that I really enjoy reading).

This is an amazing group of ladies I adore to pieces. They are my support group, confidantes, and drinking buddies. We laugh, we cry, we talk and we love. I can’t tell you what I did before them, but I will never have another group of ladies I love more. We lost one of our group on August 1, 2009, but she’s still with us every time we get together.

Here we are in order…

Front row: Susan, Monique, Dee, Nichole and Small Jill.
Back row: Barbara, Tall Jill, Mary Ann, Alicia, Roberta, Me!, and Denise
In spirit: Mall Jill (who was traveling), Holly (who moved to MO)
In memory of: Donna

Note some of us are holding Blue Moon martinis (the rest of us put our drinks down for the pic – tee hee). :)

My website and blog were down for quite a while yesterday – sorry about that folks! Servers and farms and stuff like that were in an epic battle with my host and we won. So ’tis back up. Yay!

I’m soooo glad it’s Friday but not glad at the same time. Tonight means relaxation, a beer, and not worrying about work the next day. But it also means, it’s the end of another week and I have not gotten enough writing done. :(

I’ve started using Write or Die, which is totally awesome, and getting words down. However, I have a short story I need to sit down and finish, two novellas biting at my butt for me to write, a novel that’s due in two months, and another series I need to get some pages written for to pitch it.

I need to spend the weekend writing and ignore everything else. Ha! Like that’s going to work. I need to set a goal for what I can get done this weekend…

- Write 5K on my current WIP (novel)
- Write 5K on my proposed series (uber secret)
- Sort tax receipts (oh the pain)
- If I accomplish all that, then I get to read a book (yay!)

Now I’ve made a goal in public. There’s no going back! What are y’all up to this weekend? Anything fun?

Whew. I feel like I ran a marathon in the last two weeks. Contests, blogs, giveaways, release! Oh my. I’m pure-D wiped out!

It’s Thursday and man do I need coffee. I don’t normally need it for a while after I get up but today is an exception. I’ve been up, walked on the treadmill, taken a shower and gotten ready for work, but I could crawl back into my bed right now.

In other news, I’ve gotten some great feedback from folks who love Restless Heart. That makes me feel so good. :) This was a different kind of book for me, really my first beta hero. I’m thrilled y’all are liking it! Thank you for all the kind words!

I’m off to make my coffee and hopefully wake up.

Restless Heart is now officially available from Kensington Brava. *confetti and horns sound throughout the land*

Today’s excerpt is a bit hotter, let’s follow Sam and Angeline into the bedroom… and really celebrate!

***

“Does that feel good?” He whispered in her ear, his breath hot and moist against her. His tongue reached out to lick her lobe and she jumped. He froze in place until she laughed.

“I’m sorry. You tickled me.”

His laugh was low and rumbly, echoing through her chest. She was beginning to warm up so quickly, soon she’d have her clothes off before he had a chance to take them off.

Well then why shouldn’t she?

Angeline stepped away from him, her body already crying out from losing contact with his. She reached for the buttons on her shirtwaist and actually heard him swallow.

“What are you doing?”

“What I want to do.” She didn’t explain further, didn’t want to really. Angeline felt her own power surging through her. This time it would be her choice.

The cool night air hit her skin as she slid off first her shirtwaist, then her skirt. The one sad petticoat followed leaving only her chemise between her naked skin and Sam’s touch.

Angeline shivered but it wasn’t from the cold. The very idea of him touching her was so appealing, her body reacted before he even came close to her. She chuckled at the thought of how different this was, then pushed away all her preconceived notions along with her chemise.

She stood there nude, her body there for him to see in the soft light coming through the curtains. He held out his hands and waited—giving her the next step. Angeline’s heart tumbled a bit at the gesture. Sam was definitely the kind of man she would fall in love with and not just a young girl’s love, a deep and abiding love she would feel in her bones as well as her heart.

Angeline stepped closer and took his hands in hers then placed them on her breasts. The nipples hardened instantly at the touch of his callused palms. She gasped at the contact as it sent a bolt of pure arousal straight to her core.

“Angel, you’re so beautiful, so damn soft.” His voice was full of need, echoing her own.

“Kiss me, Sam.”

“No need to tell me twice.” He lowered his head and pulled her against him.

The combination of her naked skin and his rough clothing made for a delicious friction. His lips were gentle, nipping at hers until she gave herself fully to the kiss. He had sensed her hesitation and waited. Angeline was ready for him, more than ready. She needed him to touch her all over.

Her tongue snuck out to lick his lips then darted back into her mouth. She was an amateur but she learned quickly. He moaned low in his throat and soon his mouth was open, his tongue repeating the same gesture. Hot, wet heat slid between them as she opened her mouth to his questing tongue. Soon they were mimicking the act of sex, plunging and dancing with each other’s mouths in a timeless touch.

She felt him harden against her belly and to her surprise, she wasn’t afraid. Sam was different, patient and gentle. Angeline wanted to mate with him and become one with the dark haired, dark eyed man who called to her heart.

“You’re still dressed,” she sounded winded, which in a way she was. Her heart raced, her breath was shallow and her entire body was pulsing with the need for more.

He chuckled and stepped back, a shudder wracking his body. She realized not only did she hold power, but her kisses, her very body, wielded sway over his. It was a defining moment for her. Angeline reached out and started unbuttoning his shirt.

She did it because she wanted to, because she wanted to show Sam she wasn’t afraid, that she wanted to be joined with him. Although he allowed her to undress him, she felt the coiled strength within him just waiting for release. He was hard all over, muscles and sinew stretched over bone in a symphony of male beauty.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I’ll love you tomorrow… cause it’s release day! Just one more day until Restless Heart releases from Kensington Brava. Rock on!

Today’s excerpt shows just how strong Angeline has become.

***

With only a candle to light her way, she tiptoed through the quiet restaurant and into the kitchen. She knew there’d be some leftover bread and honey to quiet her growling stomach. As she pulled the jar of honey from the pantry shelves, she heard a shuffling sound in the restaurant.

Angeline’s instincts roared to life and she set the jar down without a sound, then blew out the candle. She didn’t know whether or not to be afraid, but she did know to be careful.

She closed her eyes and listened, waiting for another noise. Within seconds, she heard it again, only this time it was louder. Angeline crept to the kitchen door with her heart in her throat and opened it just a crack. As she peered out into the restaurant she strained to see whatever it was that was making noises.

This perspective gave her the viewpoint to know whatever it or whoever it was, they were farther away than she thought. Likely on the stairs or in the hallway leading to the storage room at the front of the building.

Angeline was trapped. She either hid in the kitchen until whoever it was went away or she found out who was creeping around at midnight, other than herself, so she could eat and go to bed.

The old Angeline might have hidden, but the new and improved version wasn’t about to. Marta and Pieter had become family to her and she wouldn’t let anyone threaten them. She looked around the kitchen and spotted the rolling pin made of marble. It was solid enough to cause damage without being too heavy for her to carry.

As she left the kitchen on bare feet, the rolling pin was firmly held in her hand. She walked slowly toward the sound of the shuffling, her curiosity peaking the closer she got to it. Then she heard it.

A moan.

Angeline stopped, completely flummoxed. She couldn’t decide if it was a moan of pleasure or pain. If the former, then she needed to go back upstairs immediately. If the latter, then she needed to wield her rolling pin.

She stepped closer still and peeked around the corner. Near the door to the storage room beneath the stairs, she saw two shadowy figures lit only by the dim moonlight coming in from the front door behind her.

Angeline squinted but could only see one was shorter than the other. She was about to give up trying to figure out if someone was in trouble when she distinctly heard a slap.

She rose to her feet, rolling pin in hand and stepped into the hallway. Her stance was wide and her protective instincts screaming.

“Let her go.”

The two figures stopped moving and turned toward her.

“You heard me. Let her go. Now.”

“Angeline, please help me.” Alice’s voice was full of panic.

“Who the hell are you?” The man’s voice was rough, gravelly as if he’d eaten a mouthful of pebbles.

Angeline got goosebumps just hearing it, but she didn’t and couldn’t back down. “I’ll split your skull open if you don’t let her go and leave here right now.”

“She’s a teaser is what she is.” The taller shadow pushed the short one toward the floor and Alice landed with a thump and a cry of pain.

“And you’re an abusive bully. Don’t make me tell you again. Get out.” Angeline slapped the rolling pin on her hand, the smack loud in the quiet hallway.

“What are you going to do?”

“I told you. I’ll split your skull open then tell the sheriff you broke in and tried to attack Alice. Everyone will believe the angel.” For once, she was using her “angelic” demeanor to her advantage.

The man scoffed. “You don’t sound angelic to me.”

Angeline smiled. “You have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of. Don’t doubt me when I tell you I will do everything I can to protect Alice.” She slapped the rolling pin again.

“Didn’t want no teaser anyway. I just wanted a good time.” He walked toward her and Angeline backed up to her left, letting the man know she was still there, still armed.

“You can find that at the saloon, jackass. Miss Daisy and her girls are there even for an idiot like you.” Angeline heard Alice gasp and ignored her. It felt good to use words and feel the power of them as she shocked herself and her audience.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Nobody you want to tangle with. Now get out.” She watched him slink toward the door, her eyes straining in the dark to see just where he was.

It was a good thing she was alert because he moved so suddenly she had only seconds to react. The man lunged at her.

Oh wow, just two days until Restless Heart releases from Kensington Brava. *happy dance*

Today’s excerpt brings an old friend of Angeline’s to town, and everything is going to change.

***

Angeline dressed quickly, her mind still buzzing with questions she didn’t have answers to. Lettie waited for her at the bottom of the stairs, her foot tapping and a scowl on her face.

“You know people might think your face has a permanent frown.” Angeline was pleased to see Lettie’s mouth twitch.

“Get in the kitchen and bake.” The older woman ushered her through the kitchen door.

Marta was absent so Angeline and Lettie stoked the fires, readying the oven for baking breakfast. It was an easy partnership, one they’d cultivated over the last year. Some folks never saw past the gruff exterior Lettie showed the world. She was really an emotional person, capable of great courage and deep friendship. Angeline could have never made it on her own without Lettie by her side. She was closer to Angeline than her own sister Eliza.

“I have something to tell you and you’re not going to like it.” Lettie set the flour canister on the table.

Angeline didn’t like the tone in her friend’s voice. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. “What is it?”

“Yesterday afternoon I saw you with that man, Samuel Carver.” Lettie met her gaze. “He kissed you right on the street. You need to be more careful than that. I thought you understood the danger of getting involved with someone.”

Angeline felt her cheeks heat. “I like him, Lettie. More than I ever did Jonathan.” That particular fact made her feel horrible but she couldn’t help it. “I won’t stop seeing him because you think I won’t be safe. I can’t. Sam is a part of me now.”

“More than Jonathan?” Lettie stared at her.

Angeline swallowed. “Yes, much more.”

“I’m going to tell you something and you’ve got to promise not to have a fit of the vapors.”

“What? Vapors?” Angeline’s heart thumped hard. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Someone else saw you with Sam.”

“We were on the street, Lettie. Anyone could have seen—“

Lettie grabbed her by the shoulders. “Listen to me, Angeline, it was Jonathan. He’s here in Forestville. He saw you and Sam.”

At first Angeline could not grasp what Lettie had said. It couldn’t possibly be true. “Jonathan. My Jonathan?”

“Not anymore. He’s just Jonathan Morton.” Lettie’s reminder stung.

“What is he doing here? Why is he here?” Angeline’s throat grew tight as she tried to understand what was happening.

“As luck would have it, he was on his way home and just happened to stop in Forestville.” Lettie shook her head. “It appears we are the butt of another of God’s jokes. If Jonathan tells Josiah.” For the first time, Angeline saw a crack in Lettie’s armor and real fear shone in her face.

Angeline took Lettie’s cold hands in her own. “I’ll talk to him, tell him why we’re not there. He’ll understand. He can’t possibly betray us.”

“Never doubt the evil of a man, no matter how good you think he is.” Lettie’s voice rang bitter.

Everything Angeline had hoped for, everything she dreamed with Sam was about to come crumbling down around her. If Jonathan knew, that meant the Mormon church would know soon. He was a good man, a devoted brother and would choose loyalty to God over his loyalty to an old love.

“Is he still here in Forestville?”

Lettie nodded. “I told him to stay at the hotel last night and be here at six this morning.”

It was at least a start. Angeline knew she could try to convince him to keep their secret. They had loved each other, or at least she thought it was love. Now she knew it was a deep friendship that had grown into infatuation, nothing more. What she was already feeling for Sam was stronger than any single moment spent with Jonathan.

“Then I’ll see him at six and find a way to convince him to keep his silence.” Angeline was surprised by how firm she sounded. She believed every word of it, which only strengthened her resolve to make it true.

She would convince Jonathan he never saw them.

Tick tock! Three days until Restless Heart releases from Kensington Brava. I’m so excited!

Today’s excerpt gives another peek into Sam and Angeline’s budding romance.

***

The cool air was warmed by the sun as they walked side by side down the street. He ignored the looks from people who stared at them, embarrassed to wonder if they were staring at him or at her, or maybe even both of them.

When they reached the end of the sidewalk, he breathed a sigh of relief to be away from the prying eyes of the people of Forestville. Sam was accepted in town, but not necessarily into people’s homes. Even though he was only quarter Indian, his black hair and eyes set him apart from everyone else. He didn’t want Angeline to feel the sting of his social status, but if she didn’t understand it at all, he had no idea how to explain it to her.

They walked another ten minutes until they arrived at the copse of cottonwoods. He immediately felt better, more relaxed. The lake shimmered in the afternoon sun like floating crystals. Enough to make him shade his eyes and slow his pace.

Angeline sucked in a breath. “It’s lovely.” Her voice was hushed.

“In the summer, the grass is thick beneath your feet, the sun warm on your face, and the water cool on your skin.”

She shivered hard enough he felt it. “I imagine you must love it here. I know I would.” She sighed.

Sam looked at her, stunned by the change in Angeline. Inside the restaurant she was beautiful but out in the bosom of nature, she was simply exquisite. Her long hair shone like spun gold, wisps blowing softly in the breeze. The normally pale complexion had already become rosy, making her look healthier, more alive. Her blue eyes sparkled as she gazed around her.

She belonged outside, with nature around her. The spirits that lived around them gave her the gift of life, of that he was certain. Angeline was a creature of the earth, not one that belonged in a hot kitchen. He wished he could build her a home out here, where she could live in harmony with everything around her.

She turned and smiled at him, her gaze so full of unstrained joy, it was his turn to catch his breath. His body surged with heat, with attraction and the purest connection he’d ever felt.

He stepped toward her, closing the gap between them until a mere inches separated them. Sam took her hands in his and pulled her flush against him. Her eyes widened but not with fear, rather with excitement.

“Will you kiss me again, Sam?”

He managed a smile although every nerve in his body snapped to attention. “I want to, Angel. I can’t imagine ever wanting something more.”

She rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his, with a clumsiness that only made him want her more. Sam accepted her gift, the kiss of a woman to a man. It was brief, barely a brushing of mouths, but it made him burn for her with a fire he hadn’t expected.

He blew out a shaky breath as their gazes met. An answering fire burned in her beautiful blue eyes.

This time he pulled her against him until he couldn’t tell where he ended and she began. They were one being, sharing space, breath, and themselves. As his mouth descended on hers, she closed her eyes again and he kissed her.

This was not the sweet kiss she bestowed on him or even the gentle kiss from the previous encounters. No, this was something much different, more elemental, passionate, consuming. Her lips were soft and unsure, moving against his. He taught her how to kiss, to move with him. Sam showed her how much he wanted her, kissing and licking her lips from one end to the other.

Angeline sighed when he nibbled at her lower lip, giving him the opportunity to dive into her mouth. She froze, almost in fear. Sam softened his touch, lapping at her tongue until she began to melt against him once more. She made tentative movements, the sweet heat of her mouth promising so much more.

Sam shook with the force of his arousal, needing so much more. He hardened, pulsing against her soft belly. He felt her stiffening again and pulled back from the precipice he teetered on.

Angeline made a soft sound in her throat as he forced himself to break contact with her. Their breaths came in short bursts while Sam’s heart threatened to burst from his chest it was beating so hard.

They stared at each other and Sam saw the same confusion he felt reflected in her gaze.

“What just happened?” she blurted.

Sam shook with the power of their connection. He’d never expected to find something so raw with someone he’d just gotten to know. However, he couldn’t fight what was clearly in front of him.

Four days until Restless Heart releases from Kensington Brava. Yeehaw!

Today’s excerpt follows Sam as he tries to find a way to be a part of Angeline’s life…

***

Sam had to talk to her, had to make her understand he meant her no harm. He couldn’t continue this way or he’d fall over from exhaustion. Even the Widow Primrose noticed how distracted he’d been. For God’s sake, he nearly nailed his thumb to the fence he’d been building for her.

It was embarrassing as hell.

“You like that blonde girl, eh?”

Sam turned to find an old man peering up at him. He was a grizzled old coot with the dirtiest clothes Sam had ever seen. Time and again, he’d seen the man hanging around behind the restaurant digging in the scraps.

“That’s none of your business, old timer.”

“It’s my business all right.” The old man poked at his shoulder with one bony, dirty finger. “I look after those girls at the Blue Plate for Pieter. He gives me free vittles, but even if he didn’t, I’d watch over them.”

Sam didn’t know what to make of him. “How long have you been looking out for them?”

“Oh, roundabout five years.” The old man’s breath gusted past Sam and yesterday’s onions right along with it.

Sam eased back away from him, a hammer firmly gripped in his hand. “That so? Do they know about it?” He had no idea what loco notions the stranger had in his head, but he wasn’t about to take any chances.

“Miss Marta does and Karen. That Alice,” he scrunched up his nearly toothless mouth. “She’s mean enough I don’t talk much to her, but the blonde angel, she’s something different.”

Sam narrowed his gaze. “You’d best not bother any of those ladies.” The last thing he wanted to do was get into a scuffle with an old man who was hard on his luck.

“I don’t bother them none. I just keep an eye on them is all.” The man looked insulted at the insinuation. “I just wanna make sure the angel is safe.”

Sam frowned at him. “What’s your name, old timer?”

“Jessup. I used to work in the mines back in the day but I got me a bum arm so mostly I look out for folks.” He sounded as if he believed every word he said.

“What do you want with me, Jessup?” Sam needed to focus on work, not on a crazy old man.

“I seen you watching the angel.” Jessup eyed him up and down.

“She’s not your daughter or anything to you,” Sam snapped. “What I do is none of your business.”

“She’s an angel, that’s what she is. I don’t want no devil making her cry.”

“Cry? Who made her cry?” Sam’s own protective instincts surged forward.

“Well, now, I don’t rightly know who, but I seen her crying once or twice.” Jessup scratched his bald pate. “It was a bit ago, mebbe a month or so.”

“That was before I gave her, well, before I met her.” Sam didn’t want to admit to the man he’d watched her since the moment she arrived in Forestville. It was only in the last few weeks he found the courage to speak to her. Fool that he was, he thought her too good for him, like the angel Jessup believed her to be. She was human just like him, if ethereal in face and form.

Jessup peered at him. “So you like the blonde angel?”

Sam could have lied, but he didn’t. “Yep, I do.” He sighed and tapped the hammer against his palm. “Now all I have to do is convince her she likes me.” He managed a smile.

“I can help you with that.”

A spark of hope lit through Sam although he was definitely dubious. “You can help me.”

“Yep, sure can.” Jessup grinned, showing his two front teeth. “The angel needs a good man to help her stop crying. I think you’re the right man.”

Sam didn’t know if the man was completely loco or if he could really help, but it was worth taking a risk. God knew he wasn’t doing a very good job of convincing her he was the right man.

“What can you do?”

Jessup smiled even wider. “You just wait and see.”

It’s five days until Restless Heart releases from Kensington Brava. Woohoo!

Methinks I will post excerpts each day until it’s officially released. :)

Angels don’t always have halos…

Angeline Hunter ran from a horrific marriage, to start her life again in a small town in Wyoming, away from the Mormon life she had escaped in Utah. She didn’t want to fall in love, or even fall in like, with a man like Samuel Carver. He was too nice, too normal, and far out of the reach for a woman who lived each day in a lie.

Sam Carver had hair the color of midnight and eyes darker than pitch—the eyes of a man who’d seen too much. But he couldn’t get enough of the mysterious, ethereal beauty who had turned up in his little Wyoming town, working at the Blue Plate, keeping to herself.

He knew Angeline Hunter was running scared, pursued by a fanatic who threatened her life. But no matter what it took, Sam would convince his angel to put her trust in him, to put the painful past behind her and learn just how pleasurable the present could be….

Today’s excerpt is below. Enjoy!

****
When he arrived at the Blue Plate, instead of heading inside to eat, he found himself walking around to the back. To where he’d first seen Angeline reading on the steps back in October. A lifetime ago it seemed. He didn’t know what compelled him to walk back there, but when he did he found Angeline gathering wood from the pile without a coat.

“Angel, what are you doing? You’ll freeze to death.” He took the wood from her as she stared at him, her nose red from the cold.

His arm brushed her breast, earning a surprised yelp from her and an instant hard-on from him. Her scent washed over him, feeding his arousal, making him nearly careen out of control.

He leaned toward her, the wood forgotten, the coolness of the air a distant memory. She licked her lips, the nip in the air making them a darker pink. Sam moved as if in a daze, his body buzzing with only one thought.

Kissing Angeline.

His blood thrummed through his body and he swore the air between them crackled as he came within an inch of being pressed up against her. She sucked in a short breath, her blue gaze as wide as the sky above.

Against his will, with his mind screaming for him to stop, Sam leaned forward and kissed her. Oh God, her lips were softer than anything he’d ever felt in his life. She tasted of coffee, of woman, of an angel’s sweetness. He brushed her lips again, their breaths mingling in the cold air in a small poof of whiteness.

Sam groaned and stepped back, this time it was his body howling in agony. His staff hammering against the buttons that held it back.

What the hell had he just done?

Angeline shivered and licked her lips again. “What did you call me?”

Sam stopped, completely flummoxed by her question. He expected her to slap him, kick him in the balls or at least turn and leave him standing there like the idiot he was. “I don’t know. What did I call you?”

“You called me Angel.” She shook her head slowly. “Believe me, I am no angel, Samuel.”

He needed to apologize, but didn’t know how. Sam wasn’t used to the softer things in life. A warrior at heart, he could hardly bear not taking this woman to his bed. He wanted her with the heat of a thousand suns.

“You look angelic to me. And please, call me Sam.”

Was that the best he could do? Moron.

“Don’t let the outside fool you. Nothing about me is angelic.” She backed up toward the stairs and stumbled.

Sam grabbed her by the elbow and she gasped, her gaze again slammed to his. He wanted to gasp too. Touching her sent a jolt through him unequaled in his life. As if a bolt of lightning had come down from the clear sky and slammed into them. Every hair on his body stood on end.

Her mouth opened and she scrambled to her feet, apparently eager to stop touching him. Sam rubbed his hands together to prevent him from reaching for her again. He didn’t necessarily believe in the gods or the spiritual teachings of his mother, at least what he could remember of them.

Yet, the gods in their wisdom had obviously made this woman to be his other half, the white to his black, his mate. There could be no other explanation.