I have a couple of books in the works. Already written. One is Twice the Bang.  It’s scheduled for release June 18th. Following is a tease and not completely edited, so if there’s a typo, it’s mine. And the blurb isn’t final either. I hate writing them. You can tell. Samhain’s copyeditor needs to work some magic on it.

I’m sharing this today so you’ll be inspired to get ready for the release. Meaning: Make sure you’ve read the other Delta Heat stories, Five Ways ‘Til Sunday, Fournicopia, and A Perfect Trifecta. Enjoy the sneak peek.

If you post a comment today, you’ll be entered to win
a free download of one of the Delta Heat books, winner’s choice!

It’s a tug-of-war for her heart—cop vs. firefighter… 

Pansy Patton knows she’s playing with fire when she refuses to choose between two handsome men, both intent on collaring her. A rugged firefighter, a mysterious cop—how’s a girl to choose? Answer? She doesn’t!

Beau McIntyre knows he screwed up, opting for a drawn out seduction rather than claiming her long ago, when at a friend’s sexy gathering another man steps between him and Pansy. Now, he has to share her affections with another man. Pansy gives each man his own night of the week to pursue her, but Beau isn’t going to play fair. He’s studied Pansy too long and knows the key to her heart.

Billy Sorensen knows he’s out of his league with a submissive like Pansy, but it was lust at first sight, and now he’ll do whatever it takes, even sharing Pansy with another man.

The tension inside Billy’s Ford Raptor was thick enough to slice with a knife, but was it because of the confrontation with Beau at the bar, or because Billy was alone with her at last and didn’t want to proceed according to his plan? Was he wishing he’d cut straight to the fun and games?

Pansy hid a smile and glanced out the passenger-side window. She liked to play in public. Would he be appalled or into it? If this budding relationship was going to work, she needed to know.

The backlit sign for the restaurant appeared just ahead. She waited until he pulled into the parking lot and began to open his door before she turned in her seat and let the bottom edge of her dress ride up. Enough to give him a peak of her ass—if he needed reminding she’d gone commando.

Behind her, his breath caught, and she smiled, eager now to see just how far she could push him.

The concierge was a pretty teenager whose eyes widened as she gave Billy an up-and-down glance that ate him up like a sweet dessert. Since Pansy understood the reaction, she ignored the girl’s blatant infatuation and followed as the flirty twit and Billy chatted all the way to the quiet booth in a dark corner.

Pansy slid across the vinyl seat, her bare bottom cooling deliciously, and waited for Billy to slide in beside her. His thighs halted inches from hers, giving her polite space, but she wasn’t having any of that.

While the girl handed them menus and ignored Pansy altogether to gush over her handsome date, Pansy slid her hand between Billy’s legs and gave his impressive package a squeeze.

His chest billowed. His back stiffened.

The girl hovering over them glanced down and shock had her jaw dropping. “Um, I’ll bring you water.”

Her hasty retreat was followed by a long silence, and then Billy cupped his hand over hers.

Pansy ducked her head as heat bloomed in her cheeks.

“Seeing as you don’t seem to mind who sees us gettin’ friendly, keep your hand right there.” Then he slid his away and rearranged his thighs, widening them and slumping lower in his seat, as relaxed as he could be.

Pansy glanced at him from beneath her lashes. Her heart rate kicked up a notch, excitement skittering through her. The tone he’d used, smooth and deep—controlled—had her pussy clenching.

Drinks arrived, served by another girl, whose gaze went from Pansy to Billy, and then dropped surreptitiously to the hand between Billy’s legs.

So the first girl had mentioned it to the next. Did they have a little fan club going? Pansy gave Billy a blatant squeeze and tipped up her chin to give him a wide smile.

His eyes narrowed and his smile was tight, but he aimed a glance at the girl and placed an order for salads and spaghetti, not giving Pansy a choice.

When the girl hurried away, no doubt to titter in the back with her girlfriend, Billy leaned to the side, until his breath gusted warmly against her ear. “Eat fast,” he said, his tone deep and hard.

Pansy swallowed and slowly withdrew her hand, sitting up and squaring her shoulders. Her head dipped automatically, her responses driven by her training. If they’d been in a private setting, she’d have slid to the floor and knelt beside his knee. Billy might not be familiar with happened between a Dom and his sub, but he slid naturally into the dominant role.

How exciting. How completely delicious. Thoughts swirled in her mind. Possibilities mounted, one atop the other. Could she help him? Coax him into the being the Dom she needed?

They ate their meal, not speaking. Billy didn’t appear to pay her any attention at all, smiling politely at the girls who took turns filling their glasses and checking to see if they needed anything, but purposely ignoring Pansy beside him.

Not that she felt slighted. She understood. The tension in the thigh snuggled beside hers was unrelenting. He was as attuned to her as she was to him. Every breath, every slow chew, every nudge was noted. By the time the check arrived, her nipples were tight, hard beads and there was a wet spot beneath her where her pussy lips sucked at the vinyl.

As she rose, she dropped her napkin to hide the evidence, but not quickly enough that Billy didn’t notice.

His firm mouth curved.

That smile kept her hot all the way to his truck.

He opened the door for her and stood to the side.

She stepped up, her ass nudging his belly and slid inside before reaching for the safety belt.

But he was there first, leaning around her to snug it close to her waist and adjust the strap crossing her chest, and then he held still.

Her attention captured, she held her breath as he lowered his hands and slowly tugged up her skirt until it bunched under the belt at her hips.

“Good thing my seats are leather,” he whispered.

Pansy wet her bottom lip with a slow swipe of her tongue.

He drew nearer.

She knew he was going to kiss her by the quick downward flick of a glance he gave her mouth, and she tilted back her head. It was funny, but despite everything they’d already shared, despite the fact he’d seen her nude, they’d never shared a kiss.

When his mouth touched hers, her whole body vibrated. His mouth was hot and firm. His lips gave, rubbing against hers, parting slightly.

She opened beneath him, creeping her hands up his chest to grip his collar as he sank his tongue inside her.

Just as quickly as it had started, it ended. He drew away and backed out of the doorway. But not before she’d seen the tension tightening his jaw and causing the skin to stretch over his broad cheekbones. Although brief, the kiss was enough of a taste of things to come, and she was even more eager to be alone with him.

He walked briskly around the front of the Raptor. When he let himself inside, inserted the key and ignited the engine, she parted her thighs, liking the feel of the rumble beneath her, the low growling intensity of his vehicle, which now perfectly matched the bunched muscles of his arms and taut abdomen. No button-down dress shirt and dark pants could hide the trim, taut waist or thickly muscled thighs.

He changed gears with a controlled jerk and then rested his hand on her bare thigh. “I’m taking you home.”

* * * * *

Be sure to check out the snippets on these other authors’ blogs:

Caris Roane
Eliza Gayle
McKenna Jeffries
http://shilohwalker.com/website
Taige Crenshaw
HelenKay Dimon
Lissa Matthews
Myla Jackson
Lauren Dane
Jody Wallace
Leah Braemel
Mandy M. Roth
Felicity Heaton
Mari Carr
Selena Blake

I love everything Celtic and in researching Scottish lore I came across the baobhan sith, also known as the dancing vampires. The dancing vampires aren’t actually vampires at all. These creatures are vampiric fey, sisters who roam the Scottish highlands. All of them are women, no men. Voluptuous and enticing, these beauties always wear green gowns. Also, they have talons. No fangs. Like other vampires, they drink human blood and fry in the sunlight. In some tales they have hooves for feet.

Often referred to as dancing vampires, they target young men coming from pubs at night. The baobhan sith dance with them until the men grow exhausted. Then the vampiric temptresses transform their long nails into talons and rake them across the men’s backs. Clawing at their victim’s skin, draining their blood, then drinking it.

For a modern take on the baobhan sith, enter Ellora’s cave and step Underhill to visit these dark fey in my Dancing Vampire series, the tales of seven baobhan sith sisters. The first two quickies, Dance Of The Vampires and Vampire Highland Fling have been available and the third book, Ever So Bonnie A Vampire, was just released April 19^th.

Here’s the Blurb for Ever So Bonnie A Vampire:

Calin has had fantasies about the vampiric fey, Ever’s, warm, curvaceous body ever since they danced a year ago. When they meet again he waste no time in claiming and capturing her.  Once the sun rises, Ever can’t leave the earthly realm and is bound by fey lore to the human, Calin. Though he has saved her from the sun, things get pretty hot in his arms. Thrust into the mortal realm, his love making excites her like no fey man’s  ever has but she’s consumed with the vow she made to her sisters to not leave them for a mortal man. She fights her feelings for Calin and seeks help from goddess Morrigan.

The goddess has feelings of her own for  the tall, muscular mortal so she frees Ever to return Underhill. It isn’t until Ever’s back with her sisters that she realizes her heart is still held captive by Calin. When Calin spurns Morrigan’s attentions, the goddess’s lust turns to vengeance. With Ever out of his reach, Underhill,  and a goddess shape shifting into different beasts to hunt and kill him, Calin McDuff must risk his life and fight all odds to be with the woman he loves.

I am having a contest to giveaway two PDF Ebooks, one for Dance Of The Vampires and one for Vampire Highland Fling, just comment below to enter. Also please visit me at my website, http://CelticRomanceQueen.com

Links: Website | Buy Link | Facebook

When I decided to write my first book I knew it had to be about naughty lawyers. I’ve been a lawyer for many years, at many firms and in many places. And the things that go on behind closed doors…well, I just had to write about them!

So I did.

Of course, I changed a few (okay…many) things to protect the not-so-innocent, but the essential naughtiness remained the same. Then I sent my book out to a few contests and beta readers. Everyone loved my naughty lawyers. But they had a few suggestions to help me improve.

“Not realistic.”

“Lawyers don’t behave this way.”

“Is this ethical?”

“Unbelievable.”

“Would a lawyer really do this?”

“Seriously? In a courtroom?”

Oh, yes, my friend. Seriously. In a courtroom.

I discovered truth is, in fact, stranger than fiction. So out came the paragraphs where my poor lawyers got hot and steamy in the courthouse. No more lawyers getting down and dirty on the phone. And using a tie to do…what? Bad author. Clean it up. Lawyers are pillars of virtue. They only have sex in bed at night with the lights out. Missionary position. No toys required.

I couldn’t live the lie.

So, here, for your reading pleasure, is an adults only excerpt featuring naughty lawyers engaging in some serious LEGAL HEAT on a judge’s desk.

Naughty lawyers.

You know you want them. And you can have them. Release date for my erotic legal thriller, LEGAL HEAT is APRIL 23!

Passion this hot should be illegal…

Katy Sinclair made it to the brink of partnership at her high-powered law firm with hard work, dogged determination, and the ruthless self-discipline to cultivate a conservative public image. But when she follows an evasive witness into a sex club, she can’t deny herself a red-hot sexual encounter with the seductive bartender who sets her body on fire. She’s sure no one will ever know about her indiscretion —until she walks into the courtroom to find her dirty little secret is the opposing counsel in the most important case of her career.

As the managing partner in a struggling law firm, hot-shot attorney Mark Richards can’t afford any mistakes that might cost him his biggest client. Like getting involved with his beautiful, determined opponent—the mystery woman he hasn’t been able to forget. But when Katy’s quest for justice leads to death threats, Mark will sacrifice everything to protect her.

Now they’re risking their hearts…and their lives…in a race to catch a killer. Little do they know, the greatest danger lies closer to home.

Warning: This book contains explicit sex, light bondage, violence, murder, steamy shenanigans in the courtroom, naughty sexytimes in the boardroom, and an exceptionally hot hero with a versatile tie. Any objections will be overruled.

 “I don’t think this is appropriate behavior for a courtroom,” she whispered, knowing that despite the risk, she wasn’t about to jump down and walk away.

”Definitely not.” His voice was thick with desire. “You’re wearing far too many clothes.”

Katy shrugged off her jacket. “What if someone comes in?”

“No one is coming in. I have a friend in security who owed me a favor. He’s got his eye on the door until his next shift. We have about forty-five minutes.”

“I hope he’s a good friend. You’re putting both our careers in his hands.”

He rested his hands on her knees. “I wouldn’t take a risk with you.”

Katy laughed softly. “What’s this if not a risk?”

“This is you opening for me, sugar.” He gently pressed her knees apart.

Lust, raw and ragged, tore through her body, burning away her inhibitions. She braced her hands behind her and parted her legs as far as her skirt would allow.

“That’s my girl,” he growled deep and low.

Katy sucked in her breath. She had never imagined such condescending words could be so fiercely arousing.

He traced his finger down her throat to the cleft between her breasts. “There are special rules in my courtroom,” he murmured. “First, there is to be no touching the judge. Your hands will stay on the desk at all times. Is that clear?”

Katy gave him a wicked grin. She sat up and pressed her hands against the cool, smooth cotton of his shirt, then slid them up and over his rock-hard pecs to encircle his neck.

“So I can’t do this?”

He pulled her hands away. “No.”

“And I can’t do this?” She circled his narrow waist and pulled him between her legs, pressing her breasts against his taut chest.

Mark disengaged her hands. “Definitely not.”

Her gaze drifted down below his belt and she stroked a finger along the erection clearly outlined beneath the thin wool of his trousers. “What about this?”

Mark gently slapped her hand away. “Don’t even think about it.”

“It’s all I’m thinking about,” she murmured.

***

Want more naughty lawyers?

• Check out my website for another steamy excerpt. And while you’re there, enter my Pre-Release Giveaway Contest to win an e-book gift certificate
• Watch the smokin’ hot trailer http://youtu.be/GNAzJcbb3fg
• Pre-Order your copy from Samhain, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble

Where can you find me?

Website | Facebook | Twitter: @sarah_castille | Goodreads

Thanks to Delilah for hosting me today. I wish you all naughty times!

The winner (chosen by random number generator) of the free download is commenter
#2—Anne!  Anne, congrats! Email me to arrange delivery of your prize!

* * * * *

Begging for It was one of those rare opportunities when I pulled experiences directly from my military past. I guess it’s odd I don’t write more military-related experiences because writers are supposed to write what they know, and after 21 years in the Army, I know a lot. Here, I used what I remembered of my own slight PTSD issues and what I observed from others around me to give as realistic a window inside my heroine’s journey as I could. When reading this tender passage (as tender as a BDSM passage can be :)), keep in mind that the safe word Cross has given TJ to use is Fallujah.

If you post a comment today, you’ll be entered to win
a free download of this book!

Last week’s winner (see last Saturday’s Snippet for the prize) is…Tony Whitmire! Tony, congrats and email me to arrange delivery of your prize!

“…I absolutely loved this book… With these two dynamic characters, the emotional pull of this story was outstanding… Emotions ran the gamut and reached out to draw you in.”
~5 Stars and Top Pick!, Night Owl Reviews

“This was the most gripping, emotionally charged sexy foray into BDSM (heavy on the S&M) I’ve ever read…in the end, you’ll be so gripped by the brilliance of Ms. Devlin’s storytelling abilities, that the final pages will twist your guts in knots… I couldn’t stop thinking about them.” ~A “10″ for Story, Seriously Reviewed

“…This story is an emotional rollercoaster that will make you laugh, cry, and overheat… Devlin weaves an enthralling tale… It’s a novella that’s impossible to put down, a definite gem worth reading again and again.” ~5 Hearts, The Romance Studio

“…Delilah Devlin is at her finest with BEGGING FOR IT!… It is heartbreaking but real. Yes this is a very hot erotic novella but the story really spoke to me… BEGGING FOR IT is outrageous and perfectly delicious!” ~ Joyfully Reviewed

A story in the 1-800-DOM-help series.

She needs punishment…before she deserves pleasure.

Tragedy scarred TJ Lipton. Now, the only way she can find pleasure is when its delivered with a heavy-handed dose of S&M. But finding a lover who can give her what she needs proves an elusive quest—until she finds the sex club Unfettered and a Dom named Cross McNally.

Cross understands all too well what drives TJ. He takes command of her body to give her everything she needs—restraint, the stinging kiss of a flogger, the thrill of a three-way—a sexual adventure that pulls her beyond her painful past and has her begging for more of his tender brand of domination.

The door handle depressed without the need of a passkey. She opened it, searching the room for Cross, but stiffened when instead she found Tanner.

He was dressed in a dark tee, leather pants and cowboy boots. Had she met him in The Shamrock before she’d been with Cross, she would have been tempted. But now Cross held her hopes and dreams in his hands. Tanner was just another handsome guy with a crooked, killer smile.

“Come in, TJ,” he said in his sexy drawl. “Cross’ll be along in a moment.”

Disappointment seeped through her bones, weighing her down. She’d hoped it would just be the two of them, her and Cross. That she’d meant more to him than just as a playmate, but he’d invited his buddy along again.

“Shall I prepare you?”

TJ shook her head. “I’d rather wait for Cross.”

“I want to show you something.” He invited her deeper into the room with a lazy wave of his hand.

She blew out a breath and approached, watching his expression. If he’d smirked even once, she’d have turned on her heel and run for the door. She couldn’t take mockery, not even a gentle tease today. She was too nervous about seeing Cross again and angry with herself that it meant so much.

The last thing she wanted right now was trust in someone else’s strength when she’d finally begun to believe in her own. But she needed Cross in ways she couldn’t explain, not even to herself.

However, she walked closer, halting when she saw the ropes arranged on the floor. There was a pattern to their placement, but not one she discerned, and the ends of two of them were drawn up to curve over the tops of two pulleys in the ceiling.

She cleared the knot of tension in her throat. “This for me?” Read the rest of this entry »

Morning, ladies! Random.org has selected June M. as the winner of the $10 GC.
June, please email me at desireeholt@desireeholt.com

* * * * *

What’s better than a cowboy?

Why, a “nekkid” cowboy, of course. For everyone who loved STARK NAKED (and I do thank each and every one of you who made it such a hit), now we have BUCK NAKED. And Buck Montgomery is definitely a mouth-watering eyeful. Here’s a snippet from Naked Cowboys, Book 2.

Release date: April 30 from Samhain Publishing

Comment to win a $10 GC to Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

When Amy Stark met Buck Montgomery she was fuming over both a flat tire and his condescending attitude. It onely gets worse when they end up at the same cattle auction and his attitude doesn’t change. Little does she know that Buck harbors a secret he guards closely along with his heart. A secret that prevents him from reaching out to Amy for the relationships he really wants. Against his better judgment he cracks open the wall and lets her in, only to have his past catch up to him in a devastating way. Can Amy get past who he was and love the man he has become, or will he, once again, lose it all?

Silence instantly dropped between them with all the subtly of a lead weight. Amy fiddled with her napkin, very aware of Buck’s careful scrutiny. Again, she wondered what the hell she was she doing here, anyway. He was exactly the kind of man she told herself to stay away from—tall, very masculine, very sexy. Probably had a hundred women chasing after him. Well, she was tired of being one of the pack. Especially for a man like Buck Montgomery, who was now her neighbor.

So why am I sitting here having lunch with him?

Because my head said no but my body and my mouth said yes.

She looked up to find him watching her with his mouth curved in a slight grin. Heat sizzled across the table with an almost visible snap. She squirmed slightly in her seat and searched for a new topic of conversation.

“Do I make you nervous?” His deep voice vibrated though her, the warmth of it like a heated cloud surrounding her and washing over her skin.

Amy cleared her throat. “Nervous?” She clasped her hands on the table in front of her, hoping Buck wouldn’t notice the tremors in them. “Not. Not at all. Is there some reason why you should?”

“No. No reason. You just seem…fidgety. I wondered if it was me.”

Yes.

“Of course not.” She searched for a topic of conversation. “So, when did you buy the Hayes Ranch? I didn’t even know it had sold.”

“About a month ago. It’ll take me a while to get it into shape, but I’m working at it.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the delivery of their food. Using the condiments took up a minute or so. Amy took a healthy bite of her burger and moaned in ecstasy.

“Still the best I’ve ever eaten,” she said around a mouthful of food.

“All their food is good. I eat here whenever I come into town.”

There was more silence as they consumed their lunch. Amy kept her eyes on her food but she was more than cognizant of the heavy-lidded looks Buck kept giving her. She wondered what was on his mind. At the auction he hadn’t seemed all that interested in her, polite and nothing more after their rocky start. Yet now he seemed to be seducing her with his eyes from across the table.

When she finished the last bite of food, she patted her mouth with the napkin and leaned against the back of the seat.

“You missed a spot.” He moved his hand toward her than jerked it back.

“A spot?” She frowned.

“Mustard. On your lower lip.”

Amy patted her mouth with her napkin and looked at the yellow smear on the white cloth. How embarrassing.

“I’m not usually a slob when I eat.” She picked up her napkin and ran it over her mouth again.

“But then I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of catching that last little bit on your lip.”

I should just get up and leave before I get myself into trouble. This was a huge mistake.

Okay, where can you find me:

www.desireeholt.com
www.desireeholttellsall.com
Twitter: @desireeholt
Facebook: desiree01holt
Pinterest: desiree01holt
And…desireeholt@desireeholt.com I love to hear from you so don’t be shy.

I don’t usually repeat the same book two weeks in a row, but this week’s theme was sooooo hard for me to find something that “smelled” even a little like crawling. My characters tend to be too proud for that. They pick fights just so they have good excuses to lay hands (in a sexy way) on each other. This was the closest I could recall. Hope you enjoy.

If you post a comment today, you’ll be entered to win
a free download of this book, or its sequel IN TOO DEEP!

“With amazing suspense, and hot, dominant lovin’ this cowboy and his high school sweetheart take the reader on an amazing emotional journey. Mixed with a bit of humor, sizzling bedroom scenes, and cowboys that steal your heart, Ms. Devlin has created a beyond 5 Book worthy start of an incredible new series.” ~ 5/5 Books, Reviews by Molly

Seeking sanctuary could be the hottest mistake she ever made.

The TripleHorn Brand, Book 1

A lifetime ago, Zuri Prescott kicked the dirt off her boots and ditched her small-time small town for the glam city life—and lived to regret it. When she’s framed for a bank job, she lights out for home, seeking refuge with her old high school sweetheart while she figures out her next steps. Only she discovers that the boy she left behind is the last man she should trust.

Sheriff Colt Triplehorn knows trouble when he sees it, especially when it comes in the form of a familiar trespasser, caught naked between an angry bull and her underwear. Sure she’s up to her usual no good, he grants her sanctuary at his ranch—the better to keep an eye on her, and purge her from his system once and for all.

Reconnection is sweet and hot, but the heat can’t hide the truth. When Colt inevitably finds out what Zuri’s running from, it’s too late to put the fire out, and he’s got a career-compromising choice on his hands. Follow the letter of the law, or follow his heart.

Product Warnings: When a sheriff captures the girl who got away, expect revenge so hot it leaves brands on two lonely hearts…

Colt heard her sobs as soon as he pushed through the front door. Moving quietly, he entered, noted the mess and guessed the cause of her sorrow. He’d have spared her this, but she’d given him the slip. Tommy had followed her to the apartment and called him to let him know where to find her.

For whatever cockeyed reason, Zuri had begun to withdraw from him. Pulling away the moment she realized her problems were going to linger for a while. He suspected that she worried about hurting his reputation, that she’d be a burden, but they hadn’t had the privacy to talk about what was weighing on her mind.

Coming up behind her, he knelt and reached for her upper arms. He pulled her back against his chest then wrapped his arms around her. “It’s going to be okay, Zuri.”

She didn’t fight him, but also didn’t cling. She lay limply against his chest, her body shaking with her deep sobs. “You can’t know that. You’re a sheriff, you can’t want this.”

You can’t want me was what he heard. He tightened his fingers on her upper arms and gave her a gentle shake. “Don’t tell me what I want.” It came out more harshly than he intended, but it seemed to do the trick.

Zuri stiffened. Her sobs subsided. When she reached up to pry his fingers from her arm, he let her go. She crawled forward on her knees then turned to face him.

Her expression nearly killed him.

Her soft brown eyes were large in her face, her lashes wet and spiked. Her chin wobbled. Gone was any hint of stubborn pride.

At a loss for what to say next, he took off his cowboy hat and raked a hand through his hair. “Billy says I can take you home.”

“This is my home,” she said, her voice thick and raw.

He shook his head. “You’re not stayin’ here.”

“I have work to do. A mess to clean up.”

“I’ll hire a cleaning team. You don’t have to do this.”

“It’s my own damn mess.” Her chin firmed, lifted.

Now there was the hint of starch he’d hoped to find. “Then we’ve got ourselves a problem.”

“What’s that?”

“I have a job. One that requires I be in Caldera County to perform.”

“There’s nothin’ stoppin’ you here.”

“Sure there is. You see, Billy says you’re my responsibility.”

“They released me.”

“With promises from me to make sure you met your court dates. And he expects to contact you in the meantime at my home.”

“You’ll just have to tell him my plans changed.”

He almost smiled. Her eyes gleamed, not with tears, but with anger. Something he could work with.

Slipping his cuffs from his back pocket, he dangled them from a finger. “Now, we can do this the easy way…or…”

Her eyes narrowed to slits. “You wouldn’t.”

“I will if I have to.” He held out his other hand. “Gonna come peaceably?”

He read relief in the lowering of her shoulders, but not defeat.

Her glance cut to the side. “I’ll need to pack.”

“There’s not a thing you need. I have a suitcase in the truck. All those pretty things Tommy bought you.”

“I’m not some charity case.”

“Never wanted you to feel that way,” he said honestly. “Didn’t mean to ride roughshod over you these past few days, but I wanted this over. For us to be able to move on. Fact is, I need you, Zuri.”

“I’m not right for you. Not—”

“Don’t say you aren’t good enough.”

Her eyes filled. “You know what I came from, what I’ve been accused of. Folks can’t be that forgiving, not in Caldera.”

“Folks will learn to judge you by the company you keep, by the good things you do.”

A tear escaped her eye and trailed down her cheek. “I don’t want to hurt you, Colt. I couldn’t stand that.”

Colt reached out a finger and wiped the tear away. Then he cupped her face between his hands, locking her gaze with his. “The only way you’ll hurt me, Zuri-girl, is if you let me walk out that door alone.”

She drew in a breath, opened her mouth to speak, but then came up on her knees and flung her arms around his shoulders. “I’m so glad you said that. I wanted to give you an out, but it would have killed me to say goodbye. Guess I’m selfish.”

Colt held her close, smiling into her hair. “Guess I’m selfish too, because I wasn’t jokin’ about those cuffs.”

“We’re a pair, aren’t we?”

Tugging on the back of her hair, he forced her head back. “If you come home with me, you’re gonna live under my roof. My rules.”

Her lips curved. “Didn’t mind your rules so much the last time.”

“Glad you’re so eager. But I’ve got this ring that’s been burnin’ a hole in my pocket for twelve long years.”

“You kept it?”

“Belonged to my grandmother. I wasn’t gonna throw it away. It’s been waitin’ for the right girl to come home.”

“Your rules?” she said, arching a brow.

“You have to come home as my wife.”

* * * * *

Be sure to check out the snippets on these other authors’ blogs:

Caris Roane
Eliza Gayle
McKenna Jeffries
Shiloh Walker
Taige Crenshaw
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels
Lissa Matthews
Myla Jackson
Lauren Dane

The Winners!

The winners of these two books were picked by a random number generator. Teresa Hughes (April 7 comment) wins the copy of the The Mammoth Book of Futuristic Romance! Melissa Porter (March 30 comment) wins the copy of the signed ARC of Shattered Souls! Teresa and Melissa, congrats! Email me to arrange delivery of your prizes!

Night Crow Pendant Contest

I have a brand new contest!

What can you win? This is a handmade pendant. It’s a domino, which I altered with ink and paint and a bit of silver foil. It’s not as dark as this picture makes it out to be, but it is eerie! I’ll gift it along with a black leather cord necklace to one lucky winner!

What do you have to do to win? Simple. Comment on my blog—on any posting, from now thru April 25th. I’ll choose a winner at random from among all the comments. Good luck!

For those of you who haven’t seen my recent posts on Facebook, I’ve been busy building inventory for a brand new website store. You can see some of the things I’ve made on my Pinterest board!

And here’s a suggestion so you don’t miss out on future fun things—SUBSCRIBE to my blog via email. See the box in the left-hand sidebar!