New Release: Kidnapped

My latest release is out from Evernight Publishing. Below is a the blurb and a story excerpt and I have included buy links. Look for a giveaway here soon!

Blurb: Sam Kindley has lived a rocky life. Being a hired gun for a local crime lord isn't easy, but it pays well, so what's a guy to do? Life is routine. The boss gives him a job and he completes it without incident.

Kidnapping Tyler Hanson and holding him for ransom seems like an easy enough task. But Sam never expected to be attracted to his mark. When sparks fly between them things become complicated. The heat sears and after a couple of hot encounters emotions quickly become involved.

Tyler Hanson never thought that he'd actually like his kidnapper, but his world is turned upside down in a moment of lust. Things are never what they seem, but maybe it's all for the best. There's much more to Sam than his rough and gruff exterior. 

In a most unconventional scenario can love survive? Will Tyler?

Story Excerpt: At two in the morning, Sam doubted that anyone would be up to spot them. The town was smallish and glancing around he didn’t see any lights on in the surrounding homes or security cameras in sight. “Let’s get this done.” He pulled a rubber clown mask down over his face and got out of the van. Phil did the same, muttering how much he hated fucking clowns.

Sam walked quietly up the front path with Phil in tow. He went around the side of the house and crossed over the lawn to the patio area where he noted a home security sign on the glass of one of two doors. He immediately looked to his left and spotted a box. He shook his head at the stupidity of the companies that installed these systems. Any burglar worth his salt would know where to look and what to look for. With a quick snip of a couple of wires the system was disengaged and knocked out of service.

Phil pushed a door open after fiddling with the lock and grinned at Sam. In less than a minute he’d been able to pop the lock. Inside, the kitchen was lit only by the dim light over the large stove. The rest of the main floor was cloaked in darkness and shadows as they walked on through to find themselves at the foot of the grand mahogany staircase.

Sam assumed at this late hour everyone would be asleep. Taking two steps at a time, he paused as he reached the upper level to listen for a brief moment and was satisfied when he heard nothing but loud snoring coming from one of the bedrooms.

“At the end of the hallway,” he said to Phil, his voice just above a whisper. The snoring he’d heard was coming from that room. No one else was supposed to be home but a couple of servants who had their own quarters located away from the house on the grounds. The parents were away for the weekend doing something or other. The details on where they had gone were not known.

Sam opened the bedroom door and eased into the room with Phil behind him. The plan was to use chloroform to knock the senator’s son out long enough to secure him for transport. He moved to the bed and stood over the sleeping figure. Sam pulled the cloth that had been soaked in chloroform from his jacket pocket. With a little struggle, it was done.

“That didn’t take long,” Phil said. He pulled back the bedclothes and raised a brow when he saw that the senator’s son was dressed only in a pair of white briefs. “Should we dress him first or take him like he is?”

Tyler Hanson certainly wasn’t a kid. Sam swallowed hard. Not one fucking soul knew about his attraction to cute guys. His encounters had always been planned. He never messed around with any man who didn’t offer him complete discretion. It was just sex with no strings attached, usually in some motel far away from where he lived so there was no chance of anyone spotting him. He never kissed. Kissing was off limits. He did like to fuck. That was his thing. He loved a hot, tight ass. Willing bottoms were plentiful in the online chatrooms he frequented. Sam also loved having his cock sucked. Looking down to see some sexy dude sucking on him was thrilling.

“Sam?” Phil tapped him on the shoulder. “This isn’t the time to space out, buddy.”

“That’s a good idea.” He retrieved a set of sweats along with a pair of sneakers from the closet. With Phil’s help they got Tyler dressed which wasn’t an easy task. Getting him out of the house to the van came with a bit of struggle. Tyler weighed more than he looked. Sam guessed that he worked out since he was lean yet muscular. Without the chloroform, there would have been one hell of a fight.

Phil drove away from the house while Sam used duct tape to secure Tyler’s wrists and ankles. In a moment of not thinking, he reached down and ran his thumb across Tyler’s cheek feeling the smooth, soft skin. He traced his thumb down further over Tyler’s jaw, caressing the light stubble underneath. He sucked in a deep breath and sat back on the floor of the van. Why in the hell did he just do that? He got up and moved to the front of the van before sitting in the passenger’s seat.

“All secure?” Phil asked, keeping his eyes on the road ahead of them.

“He’s not going anywhere.”

“Good. Now where’s this place we’re headed to. You said it was some cabin up in the mountains?”

 Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing

Amazon

Bookstrand

It's available on all Amazon sites too! And should be on Barnes and Noble soon!

XD

Writing and Stuff

It's been a long time since I posted on here. So, I decided to update everyone on what I have been doing.

First, I got a new job which I actually like. It's full-time and takes up a lot of my time. That and on my off days I usually run errands and try my best to keep up on everyday life.

As some of you may know, I am an insulin dependent diabetic. I have had my troubles with it, but things have improved. I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia which for the longest time I did not know what was wrong with me. Finally I am now on a medication to help with the pain that comes along with it which can be extreme some days.

Writing wise I have not been doing much. I have a novelette coming out with Evernight Publishing this month. It's m/m with a dark theme. Other than that I have some things I am working on when I can.

For the blog/website, I plan on having more contests. I have an overflow of books in my collection and I plan on offering some of these up very soon. So follow me if you want to know when this happens. I am on Facebook and Twitter.

As for my release with Evernight, I will post more info when it comes to me.


XD

Print Editions

In the age of e readers, I know that not everyone has one or has the desire to get one. I prefer print myself, but I do on occasion choose to read books on my Kindle. This post is basically a reminder to readers out there that I do have some works available in print.

All books currently in print are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and The Book Depository.

Buy

Blurb: Bestselling novella combo: Beyond Friends, Under the Boss, and Apples to Oranges.

Buy

Blurb: A collection of seven hot and sexy man-on-man stories by author Xondra Day. - My Gay Zombie - The Best Gift - Just Upstairs - Cutter - Kissing Michael - Summer Surprise - Trick All stories are available separately in Ebook format.

Buy

Blurb: Twice in a lifetime? 

Craig isn't one for having friends. In fact, he's content being a loner until he meets new guy, Jason one summer's day. Jason is everything Craig isn't. Jason is handsome, athletic, and charismatic. But Jason also harbors a deep secret. Soon they form a fast friendship that changes into something much more. 

After an impromptu trip to visit Jason's estranged gay brother, Craig reveals Jason's dark secret and Jason vows to never see Craig again before he sends him away. Years pass and Craig moves on with his life. After a couple of bad relationships, he's done with dating and finding Mr. Right. 

But when an older and more mature Jason steps back into his life looking to hookup again, he can't help but wonder if there's still a spark waiting to be relit between them.

Buy

Blurb: Best friends make the best lovers? Indeed they do. 

There’s nothing more exciting than discovering that the person you already share everything with is the one you want sharing your bed. Join us for ten tales of sexy and decadent discoveries as these gloriously hot men find all the love, lust and orgasmic delight they could ever want—closer than they expected. 

10 Author Anthology: Squeezable by Penelope Rivers A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf Being Stupid by Sean Michael Quench by Xondra Day Coming Home by K. Williams Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brochu Getting Wade by Shawn Lane Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman

Buy

Blurb: Print Combo(MMF)! Contains Eden's Garden and The Last Temptation of Eve.

Buy

Blurb: Print Combo(MMF)! Contains Menage on the Prairie and Our Dirty Little Secret.

Note: I'm hoping to see the Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition antho in print soon along with a soon to be self-published historical m/m that I am still working on. Also, the next installment in my Opposites series with Siren Publishing has been accepted for publication and will be out January 1, 2015. You can read about Ben's story then. 

XD

Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition Giveaway

Buy

To celebrate the release of my story, Business or Pleasure in this great anthology, I'm giving away two e copies! All you need to do to enter is leave your email address in a comment. Also reviews are much appreciated. Thanks and good luck. The contest ends in one week.

Blurb: Unleash your naughty side with Evernight’s Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition anthology… 

These sizzling hot stories dare to explore the taboo world of office romance. From X-rated job interviews, controlling Doms, to the unprofessional use of office furniture—these seven stories have it all. 

Our bestselling authors are determined to make you squirm. You may never see the office the same way again!

Note: The anthology is one sale at Amazon, All Romance, Barnes & Noble, and Bookstrand for anyone who wants to purchase it.

XD

A New Cover and a Freebie!

This is the cover for my upcoming release from Evernight Publishing! It will be out July 12th, 2013! If you would like to add it on Goodreads, here is the link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17936376-sean-toby . Also I have a freebie out on Smashwords. The short story, Summer Surprise was originally included with my novella, Worth Waiting For. You can download it here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/333011

XD

Free Read(MM)

Download Link



My free read from Evernight Publishing is out today. It's also available on All Romance and Bookstrand.

Blurb: Kansas, 1933
Calvin is going through a crisis in his life. After facing a potential scandal at college, he returns back to the family farm only to find himself the subject of gossip and rumors. His one solace is his father's farmhand, Josh who he's lusted after since the man's arrival.
When chance presents itself, the two men come together for one afternoon of passionate pleasure and they discover they have more in common than they'd initially thought. But are their feelings for each other just a whimsy or is it something much more?

Excerpt:

The creek was still high, much higher than Calvin expected given the weather that had dropped upon the county during this month.

Josh stood at the edge of the creek and stepped out of his jeans. Calvin nearly dropped seeing Josh’s butt. He averted his eyes and tried to pretend it was no big deal seeing this man naked in front of him, but already his cock stirred even though he fought to keep that from happening.

Josh glanced at Calvin. “Are you going to just stand there or are you going to join me?” Josh had waded out into the creek and was stretching his muscled arms high over his head. “The water’s great. Come on in.”

Calvin nodded. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been naked in front of another man before. Heck, he’d had relations with one … many times.

Calvin shifted out of his shirt and dropped it on the ground. He hesitated nervously as he undid his pants. He then sucked in a deep breath and stepped out of them. He made haste to the edge of the creek and slipped into the cool water until he was waist deep.

****

For far too long Josh had wanted to be with Calvin alone like this. His boss’s cute son hadn’t gone unnoticed and many times he’d stolen glances at him when in each other’s company on the farm.

When Calvin returned home from school, he couldn’t help but feel glad about it.

“See, the water’s perfect.” Josh moved through the water and felt its coolness wash away the dryness and dirt from the farm. “This is great. When you get right down into it, it’s much better.” He swam to where Calvin was and with one big sweep of his hand, splashed him.

“Don’t do that,” Calvin said, half laughing.

“Stop me,” Josh dared, doing it again.

“Is that a dare?” Calvin moved deeper into the creek.

“Maybe,” Josh toyed, backing away. He turned slightly. “Catch me if you can.”

Interview With Evernight Publishing's Acquisition/Administration Manager

I'm pleased to have Marie Buttineau visit Write Outside The Box. Marie has agreed to a short interview to let us know what Evernight is currently seeking. She is the acquisition/administration manager for Evernight Publishing.

X- What would you like to see in your email box in regards to submissions for Evernight?

M- Above all, we want quality stories. However, at the moment, we would love to see more interracial romance (BW/WM), BDSM romance, wolf/shifter romance, and submissions to our Naughty Fairy Tales line. We are also looking to expand our MM romance line.

X-What's the biggest mistake you see writers make?

M- We get a lot of submissions not suitable for Evernight. Our focus is romance and erotic romance, with some urban fantasy. Make sure the work is well edited, and the first page/first line really needs to pull the reader in.

X- What prompted you to get into the publishing world?

M- A love of the written word.

X- Who are your favorite authors?

M- All the authors I've worked with have been wonderful. I'm very proud of Georgia Fox. We saw the potential in her writing and asked her to expand her anthology submission into a novella, and the rest is history.

X- What advice would you give to budding authors looking to submit to Evernight?

M- We no longer accept sweet romance, but that doesn't mean your story has to be highly erotic. We are proud of our wide variety of romance and heat levels. If your story is well written and engaging, you have a great chance of being accepted.

X- Thanks for being here, Marie. Evernight's submission guidelines can be found here: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/pages/Submissions.html

Touching Heat by Ravenna Gray

Check out Ravenna Gray's new release from Evernight Publishing!

Buy Link

Psi Veritas, 1
Natalie Torrence gets paid to debunk psychics. Her newest target poses a problem. However, he may be the real thing and worse yet, he’s distractingly gorgeous. But before Natalie can find out if he’s an actual ghost talker, she suddenly needs him—she’s been cursed and only his touch can keep her from being ripped apart by invisible claws.

Ian Walker wants nothing to do with the beautiful blonde digging into his past. He has things to hide and doesn’t need the spirits to tell him she’s dangerous. But if he pushes her away, the curse will claim her life, and the more he gets to know her, the more Ian can’t stand the thought of losing her.

Can Ian break Natalie’s curse, save them both from the dark organization hunting down Supernormals like him, and find the answers he needs about his past? Thrust into a world she doesn’t even believe in, can Natalie get out with her life—and hopefully her heart—intact?

Excerpt:

By the time the house came into view, Natalie was ready to pass out. She felt battered and thoroughly abused. Could it have been only yesterday that this had all begun? Had she really slept in her own bed just two days ago? It seemed like forever.

Ian staggered next to her. She caught him with her free arm, worry for him blooming tight in her chest. He could have a concussion. If she felt half-dead, she could only imagine how worn out and destroyed he was. They needed to rest.

“Can you make it?” she said, glancing up at the broken-down house. Only a few more feet...

“Yeah,” Ian replied, his voice too weak for her to bear. If he had a concussion, he could pass out and never wake up. The thought made Natalie feel faint herself. She couldn’t lose him. Not now. And not just because he was her tether. He was more than that. Much more.

When had that happened?

Shelving that thought to examine later, she put Ian’s arm over her shoulder and supported him as they slowly climbed the front stairs. They were old and weathered, cracked and covered in peeling gray paint that may have once been white. Natalie just prayed they would hold them. The last thing they needed was to put a leg through the wood and break a bone.

The door stood open a foot or so. Natalie shoved it with her elbow and it swung open with a loud screech, rust flaking off its hinges and drifting down to the scarred hardwood floor. Something fluttered on the second story, a bird calling out loudly at being disturbed. It must have found an exit because the flapping of wings was only audible for a moment before fading off into the distance. What other creatures were hiding in here, Natalie wondered, then realized she didn’t care. She had to rest. If that meant lying down with scorpions, she’d do it.

She helped Ian into the living room, stepping over the crumbling newspapers and empty beer bottles. The place reeked of mildew and stale alcohol, along with the sharp smell of long-dead fires. Ian sat down heavily in a ripped-up arm chair, leaning back and closing his eyes, his hand going limp in hers. Fear spiked through Natalie. She crouched down in front of him, kneeling between his legs.

“Open your eyes,” she commanded. Ian did and she peered into them. His gaze was extremely tired, but his pupils seemed equal size to each other.

“What?” His breath puffed warm on her cheek. She sat back on her heels.

“I don’t think you have a concussion, but I’m only a TV medical drama addict, not a real doctor.” She reached up and pressed her fingertips to the gash on his head. He winced. The bleeding had slowed and the rain had washed away most of the gore. She probed gently. Ian pulled back, catching her wrist.

“Damn it, that hurts! Stop,” he growled, pulling her towards him. Natalie lost her balance and fell against his chest. The heat of Ian’s body pressed against her bare flesh through his wet shirt, which clung to the sculpted ridges of his chest in bass relief. As soon as her breasts pressed against him, her nipples tightening through the wet fabric of her bra, something shifted, tension sparking in the air. Ian growled again, deeper this time, and his legs closed, his hard thighs gripping her hips firmly.

Natalie gasped, her body rushing with warmth. Suddenly, all thoughts of sleep were gone. Now, all she wanted was to not sleep, to be fully awake and even more naked than she already was, pressed up against this man entirely, skin to bare skin. Ian’s face was inches from hers, his lips teasingly close. She saw the lust light up his eyes, overcoming his exhaustion, as the flames caught and flared between them. She took a shaking breath.

Ian leaned towards her slowly. Pleasure spread through her, pooling between her legs in a wet ache. God, she wanted him to kiss her. Nothing else mattered. Killers, spirits, car accidents…the whole world could be falling apart for all she cared. As long as Ian kissed her, nothing else was important.

His lips brushed hers ever so lightly. He let go of her wrist and slid his arm around her waist, his fingers leaving trails of pleasure on her skin. Hot thrills rushed down Natalie’s spine, her body relaxing into Ian’s embrace as he kissed her again, deeper this time, his tongue sliding into her mouth, soft and yet demanding. He moaned, pulling her closer, caressing the small of her back with his thumb.

Natalie shivered as liquid heat spread through her, building with every touch. Ian’s cock swelled against her stomach through his pants, a rock-hard bulge that made her draw in her breath. She lowered her now free hand and ran her palm down his chest, feeling his heart beating under his ribs. She reached the top of his slacks and fumbled with the button, feeling it release almost immediately. She wanted to feel his cock in her hand, pulsing, growing, wanted to see his face as she stroked him. Ian moaned again. His lips were crushing hers now, his hand pressed to her back, holding her to him as if he couldn’t help himself. Natalie grasped the zipper and tugged.

A loud crash echoed through the house, followed by an ear-splitting shriek. Natalie yelped, and Ian jerked his head up. Something scrambled behind her. Natalie twisted around to see a huge raccoon lumber down the stairs from the second floor, its black tail whipping along behind it as it fled. Bits of ceramic bounced down the risers after it, pieces of an old vase or bowl. It scampered out the front door. Natalie heard its claws scraping on the wet wood and then branches snapping as it went back into the forest. Ian dropped his head with a sigh, his forehead resting against Natalie’s.

“Maybe we should make sure we’re actually alone here, and then close that door,” he murmured. Natalie smiled, her heart pounding, not sure if it was from Ian or the raccoon. Probably Ian. Most probably. No, definitely.

“What a good idea,” she said. He paused for a moment, then let her go except for her fingers still twined with his. The cold air rushed between them and Natalie couldn’t suppress her disappointment. She didn’t want to move away, didn’t want to stop. But she did, pulling back and standing up before helping him rise from the chair. Her whole body still tingled, a pleasant warmth that combated the cold and gave her the strength to smile at him instead of shoving him back into the seat and straddling him, as she really wanted to do. Get a grip, she told herself.

“Let’s go hunt critters,” she said, and he laughed, the booming sound filling the abandoned house. 

New Cover Art

Here's the cover art for my upcoming MM IR romance to be released in May from Evernight Publishing. More details will follow as I get them.



Author Interview With Tory Michaels

Buy Link

X- What got you started on your writing path?

T- Too many stories in my head. I had my really really dreadful novel, appropriately titled Obsession, that I wrote when I was 15, queried it to one publisher, and then tossed it. Part of me regrets it, part of me is glad because I don’t know if I could stomach looking at it after all this time, though I still remember the basic story pretty well. Now that I (theoretically) know how to write, maybe I’ll do it over. I did a lot of role-playing games online (either in chat rooms or through computer games, which is actually how I met my husband), and my characters/worlds were always talking to me and encouraging my creativity. Eventually, after a long hiatus after getting married, I came back to writing and have been pecking at it every since.

X- What's your latest release and what inspired you to write it?

T- My latest (first) release is Blood Rage on February 8. There was a combination of things that led me to write it. 1) The main characters had come back with a vengeance after being quiet in my head for 5 years and wouldn’t leave me alone. 2) I was sick of the vampires I was reading about (either angsty a la Angel or evil a la Spike/Dracula), and saw no reason why vampires couldn’t be just like (relatively) normal people going about their lives. 3) I was involved in a Master’s Degree in Public Administration which gave me insight into the bureaucracy of the US government and figured, if vamps (and other non-humans) were openly members of society, wouldn’t it make sense that they would have their own government agency to meet their specific needs (such as licensing magic users & magic shops, running a system of blood banks for the vamps, etc.)? And thus the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs (part of Health and Human Services) was born.

X- List three of your favourite things.

T- My husband/children (sorry, they’re all sorta one unit, and despite my ongoing grumbles, I love ‘em all), my Nook, and chocolate (preferably Lindor).

X- What's one thing most people don't know about you?

T- Hrmmmmm. I’m pretty open about m’self so I don’t know if I have a lot of secrets. I used to play 6 instruments (not at once, obviously, but I knew how): piano, organ, flute, clarinet, oboe, and bassoon.

X- What's next for Tory Michaels?

T- Blood-Mage Rising comes out (I hope) next month and I’ve got other ideas floating around. Now if they’d just solidify into something usable, I’d be a lot happier. I’ve got a futuristic series in mind, which is a spin-off of the Dream-Walker War.

X- Where can readers reach you on the Internet?

T-

www.torymichaels.com – Website/blog

www.facebook.com/authortorymichaels - Facebook personal profile

www.facebook.com/thedreamwalkerwar - Facebook Dream-Walker War series page

Twitter: @torymichaels

Email: torymichaels@live.com or torymichaels@torymichaels.com

I’m on Goodreads too, though I haven’t gotten the author page up and running as of the writing of this, since Blood Rage isn’t out yet.

X- Great! Thanks for taking the time for this interview. It was great having you on Write Outside The Box.



Interviewing Georgia Fox

Georgia Fox is the awesome author of many erotic titles. Her talent for writing historical romance is vast and it shows in every work. She agreed to me a small glimpse into her writing career and shared with us her most recent release.

X- Tell us what started you on the writing path.

G- I've always had stories in my head. I can remember writing my first book at the age of ten. It must have been around that time I realized people could actually make money as a writer - that it could be a career. But I never seriously thought of showing anyone my work and trying to get published until much later. Once I'd plucked up the courage to share my work with a few friends and they encouraged me to try getting it published, that was how the ball got rolling.

Purchase

X- What's your latest release?

G- THE WAGERED WENCH is book 5 in The Conquerors series (and the penultimate book in the series). It's the story of a woman struggling to find her place in a male dominated world (11th century England) and the reluctant man who comes to marry her, having won her from her drunken father in a game of dice. It takes place over the space of a year and is divided into four parts, represented by water, air, fire and earth - each one being significant in the development of their steamy romance. It also introduces the hero of the final book - Stryker Bloodaxe - who gets in on some menage action with the hero and heroine.

X- Do you do much research when writing your books?

G- I do. I have tons of history books for every time period LOL. But I don't over-burden the story with too much historical detail. I like the story to be about the characters and their chemistry, rather than a broader history lesson on the political climate. If the reader picks up some interesting facts about living in the era along the way, that's great - I think it sets the scene and puts the reader into the time period much more effectively to have a few nuggets of historical treasure spread about for them to find. The important thing is that they enjoy the story and it transports them to another place for a while. I don't want to teach anyone anything, just entertain.

X- What's something most people don't know about you?

G- Hmmm. That would be telling!

X- What's the book you like the most that you've wrote?

G- Argh! I love them all for different reasons. I think possiblyThe Wagered Wench. It's actually a story I started writing a long time ago and set aside, because I wasn't getting that flow. Then I got it out again one day and suddenly it just took flight. The character of Dominic Coeur-du-loup touches a chord in me, I guess. He's very strong, quiet and much more honorable than he thinks he is. His kindness and intrinsic goodness is just a part of who he is and since its always been there he doesn't think about it, doesn't know to value it. He has a facial scar and assumes that no woman will love him because of it.

X- What can we expect from you within the next year?

G- Book six in The Conquerors series - the final one. And it has some surprises in store for those who've read the other books. I'm going out with a bang! Then I have plans for a new series, which I don't want to say too much about. I also have more books planned for Lumina (the wanton hussy, whose first story came out last year) First, however, I've got a naughty fairy tale almost completed and I'm very excited about it. This one involves a very naughty pussy, a cursed milkmaid, a wicked nobleman, some high-heeled boots and some whips and chains.

Thanks for hosting me, Xon!

X- And thank-you for being here.

Georgia can be found online at: Foxy Tales

Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop: Day 7

Another Stocking has been removed and it's my turn to tell you about my story in this great holiday anthology!

My story is Promises!

Blurb: 'Leda James is a woman on the verge of losing it due to her distaste of the upcoming holiday season. Sadly, being a professional baker, avoiding Christmas alltogether is totally out of the question.

When her hot and hunky Italian assistant, Joey offers her a chance to spend Christmas Eve with him and his family, she is fast to turn him down even though she secretly lusts after him.

In a matter of hours they find themselves stranded due to a fast approaching winter storm. Joey is forced to spend the night at her upstairs apartment. Sparks fly, clothing comes off, and in the end she's left to question everything she'd thought was perfect about her life.

There's a storm raging not only outside, but also within her. And when the morning comes, she's not sure if she'll be able to ride either of them out.'

Excerpt: Joey shifted the van into low gear and crossed his fingers that he’d make it back alright. And when he spotted the bakery in the near distance through the fast falling snow, he heaved a huge sigh of relief.

            “Have you seen what it’s like out there?” he asked, walking into the bakery. “And it’s only going to get worse overnight, so says the radio.”

            “I sent Kendra home early so she could avoid it. It looks like I did the right thing. You can go too.”

            “In this? I barely made it back here. I’m not going anywhere yet.” He pulled off his jacket and went to the supply room to hang it up. When he came back, Leda was leaning on the countertop staring off into space. He didn’t think she even noticed he was there. “So, what else needs to be done?”

            “Just the clean-up. I doubt we’ll be seeing any more customers in here tonight.”

            “Not if they’re smart.” He looked to the kitchen. “I’ll get to work.”

            “I’ll be in a moment.”

* * * *

            There wasn’t much to clean. As usual Kendra has taken care of most of it as she worked. And after the bulk had been cleaned up, Joey washed down the surfaces while Leda took care of the front end of the store, removing day old baked good from the display counters.

            “What a waste,” she said, carrying a load back into the kitchen. “It’s a shame to dump it. Take some of it home with you.”

            “Home? You’re kidding. Visibility is near zero out there. This is going to last all night and into tomorrow morning.”

            “You can’t sleep here,” she said. She had a small apartment located up over the shop. She could invite him to stay the night with her. Her pulse quickened thinking about taking Joey into her personal space. “You can stay upstairs with me. That’s the only sensible solution to this. The couch is reasonably comfy.”

            “Thanks. I appreciate that, Leda.” He did sound appreciative, and the way he looked at her as he spoke her name, well, she had to force her mind to other things then ravishing him right then and there.

            “It’s not a problem. I’d do it for just about anyone.”

            He smirked. “Well thank you for making me feel special. And to think, I thought I was the only one.”

            “Funny guy.” Leda smirked “Let’s finish up down here and get the heck out of dodge.”

This was a fun story to write and I hope you enjoy reading it! Happy Holidays!

Next up in the blog hop: Kelly Yeakle

Adelaide's War Giveaway!

I'm giving way an e book copy of my last sweet historical romance novel set during the Civil War. If you would like to be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment.

A winner will be picked a week from now.

'Isolation has become Adelaide Warren's solace. She lives far from civilization, up in the hills of West Virginia, after the end of the Civil War and the death of her husband. When Josiah Hamilton finds his way to her doorstep, nearly frozen to death one stormy winter night, she nurses him back to life.

They form a fast friendship, which soon becomes more. When Josiah professes his love for her, she refutes him. But when tragedy strikes, it’s Josiah who comes to her rescue. Now, Adelaide is forced to confront her love for him which she has both denied and hidden.

A proposal is made. Will she accept him? If she does, what does that mean for her future?

Excerpt: Adelaide was outside, chopping kindling when she first spotted Josiah off in the distance. Her heart leapt and that feeling startled her. He was nothing more than a stranger, and no more than a friend at most. Yet, she was overjoyed at his impending presence.

How silly, she thought. I’m a grown woman, not some girl set about waiting for a beau to court her. That part of her life had long since passed and was buried and gone along with James. Or was it?

“What brings you out this way?” she asked, upon his approach, doing her best to maintain calm and collected. Just the slightest hint of coyness tinged her voice.

“I was passing through, and I thought I’d stop in,” he said, with an added grin.

“How’s the farm?”

“It’s been good. This spring, planting will take a lot of work and of course the fall harvest. This isn’t our busiest time of year. And yourself?”

“I’m pretty good,” she replied. “Trapper Marg was around to trade some rabbits for my jam. She’s around quite often when making her runs. Other than that, it’s quiet as expected. Just the way I like it.”

Adelaide motioned to the cabin. “There’s coffee and fresh buns, if you’re interested. It beats standing out here in the cold.”

“Sound good,” he replied. “Lead on.”

She poured coffee and set a plate of buns on the table before taking her seat across from Josiah.

“I couldn’t help but notice the rifle next to the door. Are you nervous being here alone? Is that why you keep it close?”

“Josiah,” she started. “I don’t kid myself about the realities of this world. And yes, I am a woman alone. This may not be the best place for me, but it’s home. Where else would I go? Town isn’t an option. I can hardly bear going there for supplies when I have to.”

“I know about James,” he said. “And the talk. Don’t let them get to you. A house in town might be better for you.” He reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “I’m concerned.”

“You’re bold. What they say about James isn’t true. I know it and I shouldn’t have to defend him to anyone.”

“You don’t have to. Not to me, Adelaide.”

She resisted the urge to pull away from him, to ask him to leave. He forced her into a most uncomfortable situation, and she wasn’t quite sure how to react.

“I’m fine here. This cabin suits me fine. I’ve done so now for almost two years with no troubles. Besides, I wouldn’t fit in with…them. No, this is my home. This is where I’m meant to be.”

“In time, they would accept you.”

“They wouldn’t. They talk, they gossip and they say things…terrible things. I don’t want any part of that, ever.” She snatched her hand from his, her eyes falling to her cup.

“Adelaide?”

She didn’t dare look at him. Tears clouded her vision. How dare he bring this emotion out in her?

“You know about James.”

“Yes,” he said, with a nod.

“If it had been true, surely I wouldn’t have received the letter I did after his death from the army.”

“Would you allow me to see this letter?”

Adelaide went to the trunk at the end of the bed to fetch it. “It states that he died with honor. With honor and no disgrace. Why would they say that if it wasn’t true?”

She watched him read the letter, his lips moving silently with each word. He then folded it and handed it back to her. “Don’t believe the gossip. You need no more assurance than that letter. It’s gold and the truth. Understand?”

She did. “I never doubted it for one minute.”

“Nor should you. He was a honorable man who did his duty.”

Adelaide returned the letter to its respectable place inside the trunk and when she turned around, Josiah was behind her.

He reached out with one hand and wiped tears from her cheek, pulling her to him in a most warm embrace.

Denial and guilt overwhelmed her. It felt natural and good, yet she knew it wasn’t proper conduct for a widow. “This isn’t right,” she said, her hand pushing against his strong chest.

“I keep thinking about you,” he muttered. “Straight from the moment when I left, and I don’t know why. You‘re always in my thoughts.”

“Josiah, it was an emotional time. It was Christmas, and you almost died. It’s expected, but let’s not confuse our feelings. You’re fine now. We’re friends and nothing more.” She did a good job trying to convince him, but wasn’t entirely convinced herself.

“Friends,” he said the word as if pondering its true meaning. “What if I’m feeling something different, something more?”

Freeing herself from him, she put a small distance between them. “I’m not ready for anything more. I may never be ready.”

“Do you feel anything for me? Your words say one thing, but I think your eyes say something different.”

“I do. It’s friendship.” She bit her tongue on that falsehood. “Friendship is all I can offer you at this time.”

“I understand. If I offended you with being so forward, I apologize. It was never my intention.” Josiah turned and walked out of the cabin, leaving her feeling very much alone.

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