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Saturday, December 3, 2016

SATURDAY SNIPPETS - TUFFER'S CHRISTMAS WISH



I will be posting snippets from my holiday books this month. This one, TUFFER'S CHRISTMAS WISH, is the first. This book is NOT a romance. It's a literary short story. 

The main character, Tuffer Demson, is from my First & Ten football romance series. His life story whirled around in my head until I had to tell it. I love Tuffer. He's touched my heart. I hope he will touch yours, as well. 

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It all started when Tuffer Demson, defensive linebacker for the Connecticut Kings, met his biological mother on Christmas Eve. They broke bread once a year, during the holidays. Tuffer met her at the diner at  ten for breakfast. He called her by her given name, since he didn’t remember her ever being his mom. He had someone else he had called that for the past twenty-three years, and he liked it that way.
“Hi, Shayna,” he said, easing his six-foot-three-inch, linebacker body into the booth.
“Hi, yourself,” the blonde said. She eyed him up and down. “You’re looking good. Kings must be agreeing with you.”
“Yep.” These meetings were at her insistence. He could’ve cared less if he never saw her again. But his folks had taught him respect. Besides, it was only once a year.
“What’ll ya have?” the server asked.
Shayna always ordered a huge amount of food—the most expensive dishes too. A side of bacon and sausage with eggs Benedict. A large, fresh-squeezed orange juice. Maybe a sweet bun. She knew Tuffer’d pick up the check, and he always did. She didn’t make much as a waitress, and no one gets residuals on porno flicks, so he understood her need for a splurge—even if it was at her son’s expense.
In the beginning, he’d met with her hoping to find out who his father was. But Shayna had vowed never to reveal the man’s name.
“Think you’re going to the Super Bowl?” She added cream to her coffee.
“We’ve got a good shot.”
“You get a nice, fat bonus for winning, don’t you?”
He nodded and sipped his juice.
“A hundred grand?”
“Not quite that much.”
“Buy yourself a fancy car with that kind of money.”
“I don’t need a fancy car. My SUV is fine.”
“Sometimes, it’s hard to believe you’re my kid,” she said with a chuckle, shaking her head.
“My real mother and father don’t give a shit about stuff.”
Her eyes widened as if she’d been hit. “Got that right. They’re better ’an me. I know. That’s why I left you with them. I knew it’d be better for you.”
“Dumped me with them, you mean.”
“We’ve been over this a hundred times. Do we have to go over it again?”
The server brought their food. There was hardly enough room on the table for all that Shayna had ordered.
“Just be honest. You dumped me because it was good for you, not for me,” said Tuffer.
“I coulda left you at the police station. I picked a nice couple. Ran a preschool. Good with kids. You liked them. They liked you. Seemed like a good bet.”
“Good bet for who?”
“I was twenty. I wasn’t ready to be a mom.”
“And Bev Demson was?”
“Yeah. She told me about the car accident. That she couldn’t have kids. She was jealous I had you.”
“Mom has never been jealous of anyone a day in her life.”
“Yeah? Well, she was jealous of me. She wanted you.” Shayna cut a piece of the Benedict with her fork and put it in her mouth.
Tuffer pushed around the scrambled eggs on his plate. He hated going over this again, but he refused to let her weasel out of the truth.
“They used the lawsuit money to start the school. But she wanted one of her own. And you were it. It was perfect.”
“Perfect for everyone except me.”

“Haven’t you been happy? Bev and Ralph are great parents. A shitload better than I could’ve been.” She picked up a piece of bacon.


If you wish to read the whole story, you can find it in ebook for $.99 here:





Curious about my other works? Find my books HERE.

Monday, November 28, 2016

TUESDAY TALES - PROMPT "ISLAND" House-sitter's Christmas Episode 1 #Christmas #romance


Since A Kings' Christmas has been published, I'm starting something new.  A Christmas story, taking place in New York City.  I will be posting a segment here, every week until the story is done or I make another plan. 

Please feel free to leave comments. It's not written yet. I look forward to your feedback to help me direct it. I hope you enjoy this first, introductory post. Thank you for coming. Scroll down for the link to return to Tuesday Tales and read all the wonderful writers there.  Oh, this story is called, "The House-Sitter's Christmas". 


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Episode 1

Laura Fleming’s pulse kicked up as the bus approached the Lincoln Tunnel. Something magical happened whenever she crossed over from upstate onto Manhattan island. And it being a week before Christmas only made it more fantastic.
The Port Authority Bus Terminal was as bloated with people as usual at Christmas. Mr. C. W. Banley had arranged for a car to pick her up. She was the hired help, the housesitter paid to keep his majestic townhouse occupied and to care for his cat while he traveled on business over the holidays.
This was Laura’s third year housesitting for C.W., as she affectionately referred to him –but never to his face. In fact, she’d never met him. What mattered was her chance to step into the ultimate Christmas fantasy, occupying a grand townhouse on West 81st Street for three delicious weeks.
A man in a livery outfit stood on the crowded sidewalk, holding a sign that read Laura Fleming. She approached him, vouched for her identity and slid into the comfortable vehicle. He closed the door and they were off, wending their way through the dense, holiday traffic.
“First time in the City?” He asked, while they waited at a stop light.
“Oh, no. I’ve been coming at the holidays for several years.”
“It’s a beautiful, if crowded, time to be here.”
“I love it. I live in the country. During the winter, I get cabin fever with all the snow and ice.”
“You own a place here, too?”
She laughed, her light brown hair swinging with the motion. “Oh, no. I could never afford that. I’m the house-sitter.”
“Now that’s a great gig!”
“You bet it is,” she agreed.
The chauffeur maneuvered his way through the congested avenue. Laura looked out the window. All the restaurants and even the delis had strings of Christmas lights. She raised her gaze to the apartment buildings and spied many with Christmas lights in the windows, or elaborately decorated trees, visible from the street.

He pulled up to the gorgeous, Neo-Renaissance townhouse. The driver set her small suitcase on the sidewalk. He refused a tip, saying he’d already been paid. Laura gazed at the beautiful cream colored building with windows lined in black. A large, circular, black, wrought iron staircase beckoned her.
The winter sky was turning teal blue as the sun began to set. She climbed the steps to the large, carved wooden door. A wreath of evergreens, red berries and pine cones hung there, welcoming her. The sharp wind penetrated her coat, making her shiver. She retrieved the key from under the mat and unlocked the door. Anxious to get to the antique pot of hot chocolate Maeve, the housekeeper, always left for her on the little wooden table by the fireplace in the study, Laura wondered if there would be a chocolate croissant or a scone waiting, too. She licked her lips as she crossed the threshold into a luxury she could only dream about. 

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Tuesday, November 22, 2016

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BREAD" #bread #tuesdaytale #romance #holiday #thanksgiving #christmas


Welcome! This week's word prompt is "bread". Again we have a snippet from A KINGS' CHRISTMAS, which will be published within a week. 

Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales and some great writers work. 


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The table was decorated and set for the Montgomery and Carruthers clans to break bread for Thanksgiving. Buddy Carruthers, wide receiver and Griff Montgomery, quarterback were best friends. Now that their widowed parents had married, the holidays would be simple –getting together at “the big house”, which is what Chip had dubbed his grandfather’s new digs.
Verna sat at her kitchen table and plucked a piece of paper out of the pocket of her apron. She took a sip of lukewarm coffee then smoothed out the list and lay it on the table. She took a pen from behind her hear.
Hank Montgomery, her new husband, his wrist in a cast, came up behind her, leaned over and kissed her neck.
“How you doin’, Mrs. Montgomery?”
She smiled up at him. “Hangin’ in there. Plenty left on my list.”
Her husband sat down across from her. “Tell me what to do.”
Before she could open her mouth, a little dynamo came roaring into the room. Chip, Hank’s grandson had a small football tucked under his arm as he ran into the room. A pretty little brunette girl toddled after him.
“Grandma is the goal! Touchdown! I win!” He spiked the little ball and did a little dance. Gracie, his little sister, clapped her hands and shrieked with laughter. Imitating her brother, she hopped up and down.
“You scored, eh?” Hank cocked an eyebrow.
“Gracie can’t catch me,” Chip said with pride.
The little girl threw her arms around her brother in a hug. He squirmed away.
“Let her hug you, Chip. Gracie loves you. Be happy. What if she didn’t like you. What if she threw things at you and screamed every time you came into the room?” Hank asked.
The little boy stood still. His face went blank as he considered what Hank said.
“Don’t think you’d like that much, would you?” Verna put in.
The little boy shook his head. He turned to face the toddler. “Sorry, Gracie. You can hug me.”
Her face broke into a big smile as she came to him with arms outstretched.
“If you can catch me!” Chip yelled, taking off at top speed.
Gracie smiled and took off after her brother. Hank shook his head. “Someday that boy is going to appreciate his sister.”
“When she has a hot girlfriend he wants to date,” Verna said, chuckling. 

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Thank you for stopping by. 


Monday, November 21, 2016

5 FAST FACTS ABOUT FOOTBALL


This week, our 5 facts are about football. No surprise there as I'm a big fan. 

1.  Regardless of the fact it's called a "pigskin", professional footballs are made from cowhide. In fact it takes about 600 cows to make enough for one season of pro ball. 

2.  Where did American football come from? You probably already know this, but it was born out of rugby and soccer and came from England. Football took hold in the late 1800's on college campuses. 

3. Walter Camp, a college coach, is considered the "Father" of American football. He's credited with inventing the first rules in 1876 that included changes to line scrimmages, downs and distance. 

4. Here's an odd mix of literature and football. The Baltimore Ravens are named for Edgar Allan Poe's poem, "The Raven." Even the team mascots get into the act.  They are named "Edgar", "Allan", and "Poe". Baltimore lays claim to this poem because it was written in that city sometime in the 1830's. 

5. You can probably guess this one, too. The most watched event on American television is the Super Bowl. 




If you love football, as I do, you might like my foootball romance books.  Find them HERE
The First & Ten series had 8 books plus a brand new holiday novella, coming soon:



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Sunday, November 20, 2016

What People Are Saying... #reviews #romance #books #favorite #football


Welcome! This week, I'm sharing the wonderful reviews for one of my favorite books (shhh, don't tell the others) - it's Al "Trunk" Mahoney, Defensive Line from the First & Ten series. Although the books are connected, each can stand alone, including this one. 


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"Trunk and Carla’s story has been my favorite so far. I know I say that with each book, but each one keeps getting better and better. Carla is a strong woman who can handle Trunk and keep him in line. And when the two of them get together it makes for a “can’t put down” book. Learning about Trunk’s past allowed you to connect with him, which I thought in previous books would be impossible. They just have so much insight into each other that you can feel their connection. Kudos on another great book! " SM

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"The First and Ten series is amazing as a whole, but Trunk's story is one that really stands out to me. Trunk has regularly appeared in the previous stories in the series and really he never shines in a positive light. His story really changed how I viewed him. In the other stories he really comes off as a womanizer and the story lines infer that he's a cheat, but it didn't take long to see that there was another side to him.

I loved the vulnerable side of Trunk that we see in this story. The pain, insecurity and the desire to be loved really bought Trunk to a different level. As we read more about his relationship with Mary it helps to ease the opinion the reader forms of him in previous books. I very easily fell in love with the big man that was hurting so much. I loved watching him find his way and find a woman who could be everything he needed.

Carla is probably one of my favorite women in the series. She's tough and sassy, determined to make it on her own, be her own woman, even it means that she has to walk away from her family and the one man who she loves. I just adored her spirit. She was everything Trunk needed, sympathetic, a friend, a lover, and a caretaker. I definitely felt the chemistry between the two of them.

I loved getting caught up with the team. At this point the series is getting too big to read about all the previous characters, so I like how Jean included them all at different parts, but only went in depth in a couple of chapters on focused couples, like Griff and Lauren. I hope there are more stories coming! I want to see more of where these stories go and I feel like there are several more players that need their stories told!"  SC


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Find  Al "Trunk" Mahoney, Defensive Line  here in ebook and paperback:






















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Friday, November 18, 2016

SATURDAY SNIPPETS!! "R" RATED #sexy #romance #hollywood




Welcome! This week I'm posting a sexy snippet from the first book in my Hollywood Hearts series - IF I LOVED YOU. 


A walk in the park isn't simply a walk in the park for Chas and Meg. He takes her to that enigma, the stone arch, in Central Park. 
Things get a little out of hand in the quiet when their mutual desire takes over. 


*************

“Take many girls to the Arch?” Megan peered at him in the fading light.
“You’re the first.”
She slipped her arm around his waist and moved up against his side.
He stopped suddenly to point. Megan raised her gaze. “How do the stones stay together like that?” She stepped nearer, staring at the structure.
He shrugged. “No idea.”
“It’s a work of art.”
Chaz led her to a bench facing the arch where they could eat. He opened the basket and popped the cork on the wine before pouring two glasses. Megan took a sip. “Mmm…delicious.”
He handed her a plastic container. She opened it to reveal a dozen giant strawberries half coated in dark chocolate. Taking one in between her fingers, she slowly raised it to his lips. Their gazes locked as his lips surrounded the succulent berry. A bite sent a copious amount of juice flowing down his chin. Megan leaned forward slightly, but caught herself before she licked his face clean. Instead, she plucked a napkin out of the basket.
“Were you going to…?”
She nodded before putting her finger over his lips as she wiped off the juice. Picking up a berry, he mirrored her movements, except this time, Chaz licked the strawberry juice off her chin. His lips slipped over hers effortlessly. She finished chewing and swallowed as his tongue swept across her lower lip, setting off a spark in her belly and igniting her passion.
He pulled her closer until their chests barely touched and kissed her in earnest—his lips working hers until she opened for him. Megan placed her hands on his broad shoulders, feeling the taut muscles of his upper back through the thin fabric of his windbreaker. The taste of strawberry mixed with the feel of his tongue gliding over hers excited her. Her nipples hardened, aching for his touch.
Moving his hands to her back, he closed the gap between them so that her breasts were touching his chest. He moved his hands up and his fingers played with the ends of her hair. She didn’t resist, yielding to her desire to be close to him.
He angled his head and took the kiss deeper. Meg floated, her mind turned off. All she could do was feel his hands on her, feel his lips on hers, soft yet demanding. She breathed in his intoxicating scent mixed with his after-shave. The ache inside her stoked the fire so hot it seemed to scorch her insides. She clamped her thighs together but that only made her desire increase. Before she could stop herself, she purred into his mouth.
Encouraged by her response, Chaz ripped his mouth from hers and moved it to her neck. His lips and tongue burned a trail down the column. He deftly unzipped her jacket and slipped it off one shoulder, allowing his lips to continue down to her shoulder. His hands were on her waist, holding her steady. Her nipples stung, needing to be touched. As if he could read her mind, Chaz slid his hand up her ribcage until it covered her breast. She gasped at the sharp tingle that shot straight to her core when his fingers closed on her nipple.
Chaz raised his head.
“Sorry. Got carried away.”
Her eyes were wide, dark green with passion. Two words tumbled out of her mouth without her brain’s knowledge.
“Don’t stop.” It was almost a moan.


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Want to read more? Find it in ebook (only $2.99) and paperback here:








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NEWS! DOUBLE COVER REVEAL! #coverreveal #romance #lovestory #chirstmas #holiday


Howdy! Friday is news day on my blog. What's new? Covers! Yes, that's plural! First, the cover for my new Christmas book from the First & Ten series.


A KINGS' CHRISTMAS


Enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas with the Connecticut Kings' football team. Laugh, cry and sigh along with the sexy men and the women who love them. 


COMING SOON -- Book 2 from the BOTTOM OF THE NINTH series:



MATT JACKSON, CATCHER



A bit about the book


Clutch hitter, fielder extraordinaire, and the team captain, Matt Jackson is dynamite on the baseball field, but a bust with women. He makes a show of coming on to chicks in bars, but always strikes out.

A secret he hides keeps Matt dateless. Does a solo life make living with emotional pain easier? Everything he believes in is challenged the day he walks in on a beautiful woman in the locker room. The sharp-tongued spitfire gives as good as she gets.

Getting close to Dusty is dangerous. Can his risk his well-protected heart? Matt faces a difficult choice -- will he make the right decision? 


Share your feelings about these covers. Your comments are welcome.

For more info on my books, visit my website


Thursday, November 17, 2016

FROM MY LIBRARY #review #recommendation #lovestory #hotromance #romance



Today's new feature is my book recommendation. Each week I'll write about a book I read and liked, showcasing the book and offering one link for those who wish to buy it. 

I will not be posting any negative reviews. I believe in positive energy and prefer to rave about something I enjoyed rather than rant about something I didn't. I hope you will join me each week. 
If you sign up to follow the blog, then you won't miss any of my special features. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by. 




Contemporary Romance


I don't know where to begin with this book. The writing, the characters, the story --all were excellent. Let's start with the story. 

Ms. Taylor pulled me in right from the get-go with a sketch of a sexy man with an unusual past. Jack Howell isn't simply a hot guy with the Justice Department, he's a man who had been denied his heritage, for most of his adult life. While this tragedy has made him a loner, it's also made him hunger for the family he never had.

Enter gorgeous Chloe McNeil, decorator extraordinaire. She's a proud, self-sufficient woman with an unfortunate past of her own. 

As the two dance around each other, attracted to each other, but wary, their backgrounds are revealed to us, little by little. And then a surprise happens, which draws them together. That's all I'm going to say so I don't ruin the story. 

Now the writing -- WOW! This lady knows how to use words to build scenes and evoke emotions. There are no cliches here. Each sentence is constructed with the utmost care to make the story come alive. The grammar is perfect and the dialogue true to life. 

But I can't ignore the longest, hottest love scene I've ever read. Holy crow -- turn on the air conditioning! Because she's built up the sexual tension to a fever pitch, this scene is twice as powerful. 

I loved this story. The characters seemed like people I would know  in real life. And I couldn't put it down. I must fault her for interfering with my writing time as I had to  yank myself away from the book to get my work done. 

If you love holiday love stories, this heart-warming, sexy tale should be at the top of your list. 

Find it for only $2.99 on AMAZON


















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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

COVER ART GALLERY! #art #bookcovers #romance #books #writing



Can you judge a book by its cover? I love book cover art, mine and those of many other authors. Here are a dozen of my favorites. Take a stroll through the gallery. Thanks for stopping by!















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Tuesday, November 15, 2016

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "TOWN". #romance #football #christmas






Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's story is a continuation of A King's Christmas. This week, we're poking our nose into Trunk Mahoney's life. Scroll down for the link back to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by. 

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Across town at The Savage Beast
When he walked in the door, the delicious aroma of roasting turkey greeted Trunk Mahoney. He salivated. His wife, Carla, was busy behind the bar, setting up glasses.  Her black hair was pulled back into a pony tail, with a few stands escaping to tickle her neck. She wiped her hands on a towel and looked up. She broke into a wide grin.
His heart swelled at the warm greeting she gave him. He hadn’t been lucky in his life to grow up with people who loved him. When he was a kid, after his parents died, he bounced around in cold, neglectful homes until he went out on his own. Even his first wife didn’t truly love him and left him for another woman.
According to Al “Trunk” Mahoney, his life began when he met Carla. He’d fallen for her while he was married, but never did anything about it. They became fast friends, but that was it. Trunk vowed he’d never be a cheater and he’d lived up to that. Now beautiful Carla was his, and his heart skipped a beat every time he looked at her, and thought about what happiness lay ahead.


The contractors had finished the rebuild on the cottage in the back of their property that had burned down. Carla’s parents were coming to stay for Christmas. Trunk could hardly wait. He’d not had warm, loving family and had missed it, especially around the holidays.
He thought Carla had been close to her mom, so Trunk hoped he could fit right in and be part of their cozy circle. The cottage was beautiful, rebuilt to be roomy and comfortable with a fireplace, efficient small kitchen, and a big bed with a down comforter.

He could hardly wait until he moved his inlaws there for a two-week stay. The idea of preparing for Christmas with these surrogate parents gave him butterflies in the stomach. He looked forward to the best holiday he’d had since he was thirteen and lost his folks.

He’d been making plans in his head for weeks of the places he wanted to take them, the gifts he wanted to give them. And the nights doing jigsaw puzzles in front of the fire while watching a football game. Of course, he might be playing. But if he wasn’t, he’d be content to be with them. He’d conjured up a Currier and Ives Christmas in his mind –the fulfillment of an old dream. Could a guy like him get much luckier?