Possibilities

I'm not ashamed to admit I love happy endings. I can't say when or why, or even what per se, fashioned my taste for romance. It's always been there, a natural part of me. I started with enchanting fairy tales and graduated to more complicated stories meant for mature readers. I'm not unique, not by a long shot. This affinity runs rampant in romance readers and writers. It draws us together.

In case you've missed out, the authors of Beachwalk Press have been taking turns playing host for the day on the Beachwalk Press Readers' Group on Facebook. Two things struck me as I stalked those conversations, admired the man candy photos, and enjoyed the steamy excerpts. The first was that this is a warm and cohesive group of women, no matter what latitude and longitude they call home. It's nice to be with them at the Beach. My second observation was really noticing the eclectic mixture of stories we write. We all fall under the romance umbrella, but that is a huge multi-colored umbrella that covers a wide array of tastes.

One of the questions posed this week was about what we'd like to see more of in the future. Our answers were as individual as we are, and yet, every situation and scenario offers what we crave most...possibilities. We all enjoy experiencing those breathless moments of falling in love again, even if only in fiction. We're eager to bond, to burn, and even to abuse those characters when they deserve it, provided they redeem themselves, suffer a little, and earn their satisfying happy ending.

Those never ending possibilities are why I read. They're most definitely why I write.

Do you agree?

Tantalizing Tuesday - Falling In Danger by Kaylie Newell

Welcome back to Tantaling Tuesday! Today Kaylie Newell is sharing with us a spicy scene from Falling In Danger from Beachwalk Press.

*40% of the publisher's proceeds from this book will be donated to The Pixie Project, a non-profit organization that provides adoption services with animals. www.pixieproject.org.*

****

Peeling off her clothes, Jessica stepped into the warm torrents of water and tilted her head back until her hair was soaked. She closed her eyes and leaned against the tiled wall, forgetting for a moment where she was and letting the shower lull her into a kind of stupor. Slowly, the tension in her exhausted muscles began to ease. The water ran from her shoulders, over her breasts, and down her belly in hot little streams, whose miniature currents twisted and turned from the texture of her skin.

She must have fallen asleep, at least for a minute, because when the bathroom door opened, she didn't hear it.

"Hey."

She jumped and nearly hit her head on the showerhead. Fitz stood outside the frosted door, holding a towel and averting his gaze.

"Oh my God," she panted, trying to cover her chest and other unmentionables.

"I knocked. You didn't answer," he said matter-of-factly. "Here's your towel." Setting it down on the counter, he didn't make any move to leave. Instead, he stood there, head down, large shoulders hunched, his hand resting on the white terry cloth fabric.

She stayed absolutely still, the water pouring over her body and pooling at her feet before disappearing down the drain. Her heart quickened as she took him in. But not for all the logical reasons it should have. She should have been panicking. After all, she was completely naked. Completely exposed. And he was a deviant. A low life. He kept company with thugs. But it was as if something in her brain had clicked off. All she could wrap her thoughts around at that very moment was how he had looked standing over Albert. And how he'd felt when she'd curled into him afterward.

"Do you think you can hold on for just a few more hours?" he said, his voice so low she could barely hear it. "I'm going to get you out of here. But you have to trust me."

She stared at the side of his face, unable to make out his exact expression, but sure it was serious. Hard.

Trust him. Two little words, but how complicated they were. How intricate.

She didn't know how, or why, or even when she'd started to change over the last twenty-four hours, but of one thing she was certain—she already did trust him. Completely. God help her.

She opened her mouth to answer, the water streaming down her face, her saturated hair just barely touching her shoulders.

He turned to her, his movements deliberate and measured. Her pulse thumped in her neck, her body heating in areas it shouldn't have. The tops of her breasts swelled over her arm which attempted to cover them, and she was aware of every single inch of exposed skin that he'd be able to see, even through the cloudy glass of the shower door. Still, she didn't move, the words that she wanted to say thick and catching in her throat.

Condensation dripped down the glass, creating jagged lines of clarity where there weren't any before. She could tell his eyes were moving over her. He didn't bother hiding it. They took her in, from her ankles, up the curve of her legs, over her hips, and toward her dripping chest. The knowledge sent a thrill through her. She was painfully self-conscious by nature; never in her life had she stood naked in front of a man. And certainly not one like this, a brooding, dangerous stranger. Yet she could feel the incredibly erotic, feminine power she had over him, simply by standing in one spot and staring right back. It was enough to make her body tremble in places she didn't even know she had.

Just when she couldn't stand the tension one second longer, just when she thought she might actually open the shower door and pull him in with her, he turned away.

"I'll take that as a yes," he said, and walked out the door.

****

Wow...that was HOT!

FALLING IN DANGER - Available Now!

A journalist stumbles onto the story of a lifetime. And finds herself falling in danger…

When young, naïve reporter Jessica Brady is kidnapped and held for ransom by the head of an illegal dog fighting organization, undercover police officer Ian Cole realizes he's got his hands full. He's on the verge of busting the ring when he's assigned to babysit her, which isn't an easy feat. She's neurotic, feisty, and also happens to be scared to death of dogs. Now he has to figure out a way to get them both out alive.

Jessica has no idea the thug she's becoming attracted to is actually a cop, but it's clear he's not like the rest of the men in the organization. Particularly Albert Mancini, the disturbed only son of the ring boss, who has an appetite for alcohol and women. Especially Jessica.

When Ian's cover is blown, he's forced to bust the ring early. Weeks later, Jessica can't stop thinking about the experience that has changed her forever. She wonders about the tall, sexy detective who saved her life. And the mobster's prize-winning pit bull, Bruta.

An idea for a story is born. What if these dogs were given a second chance at life?

As Jessica digs deeper into their troubled world, she ends up falling for the police officer who rescued them. And discovers layers of her heart she never knew existed.

But when Albert escapes from jail, her happiness turns to terror. He hasn't forgotten about the detective who put him behind bars. Or the beautiful young woman whose every move has become his obsession.

Content Warning: Contains sensual sex and explicit language

Amazon | Nook | Beachwalk Press

Tantalizing Tuesday - Best Fake Day by Tracey Rogers

Hello everyone and welcome to Tantalizing Tuesday! For those who haven't met me yet, I'm Tracey Rogers and today is my turn to share my tantalizing teaser of Best Fake Day, my recent release with Beachwalk Press.

Grab your snacks, snuggle up and enjoy!
                                                                                                

 With her gaze fixed on Jack’s face, she twirled the bottle.
“Do you find me attractive? Truth or dare?
“Truth,” he answered evenly. “Yes.”
Izzy masked her flush of pleasure—and relief. Relief until Jack rested his large hand on
the bottle again, his gaze fixed on her as he flicked his wrist.
Oh crap!
He didn’t smile with satisfaction this time; instead he rested his hands on his thighs and focused on Izzy until the sweep of her tongue over her dry mouth betrayed her nerves.
“Did you have feelings for me? Truth or dare?”
“Truth. Yes,” she said quickly. He said ‘did’ making her answer easy even though a slight wobble crept into her voice. He took his turn with the bottle. It turned a full circle. Was he cheating?
“Do you have feelings for me now?” he asked with a husky tone that heated her belly.
She never could lie. “Sexual ones, yes.” Because it could only be attraction she felt, couldn’t it?
Dropping her gaze from the intensity of his, she grabbed the bottle, putting her anxiety in her spin. As it circled around and around, her belly seemed to coil with it, increasing her awareness of the man sitting just an arm stretch away.
It stopped. Pointing straight in the direction of her need. She put the wine to her lips.
“What’s the importance of this property you need? Truth or dare.” And just like that the light behind his gray eyes seemed to switch off. The silvery shields snapped up almost like shutters. Impenetrable.
His huge shoulders rose with his sucked in breath. “Dare.”
His vehemence startled her. She wanted to know what secrets he hid, but more than that she wanted to see that light behind his eyes again. She wanted those shutters down. Right the way down.
Contemplating her bravery she rose to settle on her haunches. “Kiss me,” she demanded.
Those eyes sparkled to life. “What?”
“Kiss me. Kiss me like you promised—like a man.”
“Izzy—”
“I’m daring—no—I’m asking you to kiss me like a man.”


Available Now!  Beachwalk Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Blurb


Faking it never felt so good.

Wedding photographer and romance lover Izzy Latham dreams of finding her own happily-ever-after. When her former teenage crush arrives at her doorstep, looking sexier than ever, and asks to marry her, it should be her dream come true, right? Wrong. It turns out he doesn't want to actually marry her—he only wants to pretend to marry her.

Marriage hater Jack Carter will do anything to close his latest business deal, including finding a wife. The only person who can help him is his childhood friend, Izzy. Except Izzy isn't a little girl anymore. She's definitely all woman, and there's an attraction between them that's hard to ignore.

Jack has to convince Izzy to fake it, but the problem is that she hates to lie. However, she can't deny her feelings for him either. So when Jack makes her an offer she can't refuse, she reluctantly agrees to help him out.

Faking it is the easy part. But what happens when fake starts to feel so real?

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and occasional strong language

Hope you enjoyed! ~ Tracey

What women want

I would never presume to answer this for everyone because women are as varied as snowflakes, but there are some constants. Here are a few things I've picked up over the years.

Women like to be pursued. Not stalker style, give me a break, but if there's a mutual attraction, there are subtle tells she'll employ to show a man she's receptive to his attention.

We like to be taken seriously. Let us have a stake in the conversation and be an attentive and engaged listener. Allow her to finish a sentence.

Women put a lot of thought into dressing for a man. Even seemingly innocuous details will be chosen with care, such as body wash, hair products, nail polish, and undergarments. He may never see it all, but he really ought to notice and compliment her on what he does notice on the outside. Appreciate her effort to please him.

Be thoughtful. It doesn't have to cost anything to be attentive and considerate. Do things for her. You can deal with dinner, fold the clothes in the baskets and put things away. Pick up the house or a toilet brush. Pitching in so she has more time to spend enjoying you can transform a simple guy into a golden god.  

Follow through when you say you're going to do something. That means calling when you say you will and turning up when you're expected.

Seduce her. The best sex has a long fuse. Look her in the eyes and hold it. You can say a lot without words. Touch. Brush your fingers across the inside of her wrist, take her hand, even for a moment. Don't make it sexual right from the get-go. Just remind her that you're there, waiting, wanting her. It's so easy to get her onto the same page. Think ahead to what you can do to make it likely she's going to say 'Yes," rather than, "I'm too tired." Now we're back to thoughtful. Isn't it funny how that works? 

--Tara Mills        

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic-FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sex on the Beach

Beaches and romance go hand in hand. Warm sand, golden sun, and crashing, pounding, exhilarating waves that go on and on until you can't take it anymore and there's nothing left to do but drop off to sleep and rest up before going back in again.

But I digress.

We all know how settings can suggest things to us. Add half-naked or all-naked damp bodies into the mix, and well, is it any wonder people's minds automatically slip into, From Here To Eternity scenarios?  I don't think so.

Having taken a couple of romantic vacations to beautiful beaches with my husband, I can say for certain that this picture here, as hot as it might look, isn't as much fun in reality. Sand gets everywhere and you can't do a thing about it. However, there are alternatives.

While lounging on the beach, drinks at our elbows, books in hand, and a big floppy hat on my head, we noticed a nice young couple wading into the ocean, hand in hand, just down the shore from us. There was no doubt in our minds what transpired in that water. I don't know how this guy kept his feet under him with the waves constantly rolling into them, but I have to say, it was impressive. I think, if you can manage it, that would be a far less problematic option.  If this is something you really want to try, just be sure your partner isn't afraid to venture into the water past her hips.

Yep, I nixed the hubster's playful suggestion, even if the raised eyebrows were kinda cute. Why?  This is going to sound crazy because I love the ocean;  the smell, the sound, the vast and wonderful look of it.  I just fear the water, that's all.  I'm not a strong swimmer to begin with so as soon as I feel the ground disappear under my feet, I freak out and start hearing the theme from Jaws in my head.  I know there's a shark looking for me, even in a lake or pool.  I have one of the James Bond movies to thank for making me afraid of pools.

Really appreciate that guys!

I've been told I get a look of outright panic and sheer terror on my face when I'm in the water. I can join the laughter about that, after I'm back on land or in the boat.  Only then can I truly appreciate the ridiculousness of my situation.  I'm a coward. I admit it. I have to be within grabbing distance of my husband every second. Mostly I just cling to him.  I've even climbed his body like Karen Allen scaling Harrison Ford in Raider's of the Lost Ark. Sometimes you just have to get as far away as you can from asps -- or water.

Yet, I'm looking at pictures, fantasizing about our next trip, wondering where to go for our next beach vacation. With a hard winter still holding us in its clutches and freezing rain coming down, the Virgin Islands are looking pretty good right about now.

I should really start looking for a new bathing suit.

- Tara Mills

Super Sale!

I’m so excited I feel this entire post should be in shouty-caps, but I’m willing to reel in the enthusiasm just a smidge. After all, I can’t have anyone thinking I’ve actually been jumping up and down in my living room doing my awkward “happy dance”.

Okay, okay, I have been (think Elaine from Seinfield) and I’m pretty sure my family thinks I’ve lost my mind.

That aside, I need to share in my happiness…

 

BEACHWALK PRESS IS HAVING A SALE...

A VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION SALE!

 

Get your ebook readers ready people! If there's a special book (or several) by the talented Beachwalk Press authors you’ve been just dying to read but waiting on the right moment to buy…the time is now!

Every…and I mean EVERY ebook title is 50% off until February 17^th.

All you need to do is visit www.beachwalkpress.com

shop around, and enter the promo code…

VALENTINE2013

 

Holiday Kisses

It’s here. It’s here. It’s finally here!

Today marks the beginning of five weeks worth of free stories from participating

Beachwalk Authors.

Aren’t you excited? I know I am!

Why? Because I love the holidays. And I love a little romance on the beach!

Did I mention this is free? Well, it is.

Each author will post an excerpt once a week on their website and link to the next day’s story.

Something saucy to read everyday of the week. How fun is that!?

 

Starting off are two talented authors

Pepper Anthony with Positively Holly and Tara Mills with Drawn To You.

 

Tomorrow visit me Sidda Lee Tate for my debut story Katrina's Christmas

and Patricia Bates for Hometown Miracles.

 

I'm off to read the Monday excerpts now.

Holiday Kisses awaits!

 

Visit Alcatraz with Jaye!

Fog and a Ghost Prison      

For most of 2012, I spent every other day driving across the foggy Bay Bridge to school. San Francisco is a unique city. Blue sky is always with us, bbut only those who freed by the thick fog get to enjoy it. But I love that.

I love seeing the thick line of haze seperate two a big, azure sky in half. I loved driving to SFSU and seeing Alcatraz, the infamous prison, clear as day while a thick fog just above it obscures a line of sky from view. I couldn't help but think, what if that fog marked a portal to other realms? What if it hid it from the human eye?

Secrets of the Fog was born.

Alcatraz, the island prison, was home to many famous inmates. The Birdman, Machine Gun Kelley and Al Capone called the San Francisco penitentary home for a while. Al Capone even managed to trade up his cell for a sunset, bay view.

 

There were no live escapes...That they know of.

 

 Several inmates did dissaapear from the island, but were never found. It was assumed the cold, choppy bay claimed their bodies, rendering them punished for their crimes. But perhaps they didn't die. Perhaps those inmates didn't dive into the bay. Maybe, just maybe they dissapeared into the portal I mentioned in Secrets of the Fog.

And now, a little bit about my Oct. 2012 release...

 

Secrets of the Fog

Available Oct. 29th, 2012

 

When the dryad Tera’s friends inform her that the portal on Alcatraz Island is buzzing with an arrival, she thinks her goddess mother has come to visit. When Tera arrives at the portal to welcome her, she doesn’t find her mother, she finds a gigantic otherworldly warrior causing mass destruction among the San Francisco tourists. Being a forest dryad born from the Goddess of the Hunt has its perks, and kicking ass is one of them.

Sabin is six-feet-six of hard-bodied soldier, used to subduing demons twice his size. One day after chasing an elusive smoke demon through a portal into the human realm, Sabin is brought to his knees by a beautiful woman, literally. After arriving at a pier full of dead bodies, Tera issues a passionate smack-down before Sabin can explain that he’s the good guy.

He’s just in time: an an ancient grudge has come to life. Eris, the Goddess of Chaos, has held a bitter hatred for Tera’s mother, Artemis, for over 400 years – and now she’s ready to destroy all dryads – including Tera.

 

Thanks for stopping by, everyone. I hope that some day you'll have a chance to visit this fair city and experience the magic of the fog. Until then, mark your calendars to live vicariously by reading Secrets of the Fog, up for pre-order now and out October, 29th, 2012!

 



About  Jaye:

Born and raised in the grunge capitol, she took her love of music and poetry from the Pacific Northwest to California. Now Ishe lives in Alameda, a quaint island town in the Bay Area. With a degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology, she's just itching to climb some more pyramids. When not writing, she's either working at the day job or taking long walks along the Alameda beach, gazing at the the outline of San Francisco in the distance. Oh yes, and let's all go to Paris...
 
www.JayeShields.com




 

Jack Frost's my friend

**Note: Beachwalk Press is currently doing a holiday tour. Also starting on Dec. 1, a scavenger hunt will begin. Click HERE for tour stops and HERE for scavenger hunt. 
I will be at Getting Naughty Between The Stacks tomorrow - talking festive chaos

I was thinking about Lacey's post yesterday and just how much we make do and mend in our household. I guess following my dream of being a writer isn't quite as lucrative as some other careers I could have chosen, but, I love it.

It helps that I am pretty handy about the house and can plumb in a radiator or put up a shelf (as long as I've got my high heels on - glamour is key ladies). So at Christmas time, I love making things with my family, especially decorations for the tree, which range from cut up toilet roll holders, to toy cars, to glass  angels. I always treat myself to one special handmade bauble - this year I have a lovely beaded star I found in an art shop.

But, where do these lovely trinkets end up? On my mum's shabby old artificial tree. As she died almost ten years ago, and it was hers for many years, you can imagine the state of it! So this year, as a tribute to her, we are going to have a real tree. A big one... So, I will be very busy making all sorts of creations to fill it up.

Though I did hear a tip on the radio the other day - you should only cut a tree for Christmas after there has been a frost - otherwise it will drop its needles very quickly. I don't know if it's true or not but I'm waiting for Jack Frost to do his magic before I get mine.

I hope he comes soon.

Tabitha x

Happy Release Day to Lacey and Pepper

Two great books come out today that you --yes you-- are going to want to read.

Sometimes it’s the person you least expect who can satisfy all your desires.

By day Amber’s a librarian, and by night she hides away writing erotic romance novels. She has just one problem—not enough sexual experience to pull from. A recent steamy dream leaves Amber wondering if her neighbor Jax might be just the guy who can help her. He seems almost perfect to use as a sexual guinea pig, especially since she doesn’t have to worry about falling in love with him.

Jax has lived next door to Amber for a year and has tried everything he can think of to get her to notice him, but it hasn’t worked. Until recently. When Amber approaches him asking for his help, he’s ready to jump on board. When he learns exactly what kind of help she needs, he’s definitely willing.

Becoming involved with someone like Jax simply isn’t an option for Amber. He barely works, can’t manage his money, and has no ambition in life. So why does he suddenly seem so right for her?

Content Warning: explicit sex


Read an Excerpt
Buy Links: Amazon / Nook / BeachwalkPress


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

Can Macy and Jerrod overcome the differences in their age and race to find lasting love?

On Macy Wilson’s first grown-up adventure to the big city, she inadvertently ends up in jail. Her father hires an old college friend, defense attorney Jerrod Preston, to get Macy out of trouble. Jerrod is more than willing to help out his buddy by representing the gorgeous young black woman, but finds he must first battle his intense attraction to her, especially when the judge puts Macy under his protective custody.

Still an innocent at the age of nineteen, Macy ignores the differences in their age and race and sees the opportunity to learn all about sex from the handsome older man. On her second night in his home, a naked midnight rendezvous at the hot tub proves too powerful for either to resist, and Macy is awakened to pleasure like nothing she could have imagined.

But the morning brings feelings of remorse on both their parts. Macy knows her father wouldn’t approve, and Jerrod is convinced Macy should be with someone closer to her own age. They settle into an uneasy platonic relationship, both secretly longing for the love that now seems just beyond their grasp.

Then an unforeseen circumstance raises the stakes, and Macy must make the toughest decision of her life. When she lays claim to the man she can’t forget, will Jerrod send her away, or dare to open his heart to love once more?

Content Warning: explicit sex 


Read an excerpt
Buy links: Amazon / Nook / BeachwalkPress

On a roll!

G'day All,

Sorry for the late posting today but I've been on a roll! Writing that is... finally, all the bitching and moaning about a certain novel I'm working on, is going to stop - for today at least. I gave it an ultimatum. I did. I told my MS it was going to be ditched in favour of a spooky new werewolf romp (think Red Riding Hood in a call centre). Well, my characters all jumped up and declared their commitment to my project and behaved themselves beautifully - well as beautifully as any of my characters do... mainly naughty really. I've just got to hope that what I've been writing isn't a load of old rubbish!

So other news, I've signed up for a Halloween blog tour, but I'll tell you more later.

I think, this might be a short little post for now... snatched between coffee top ups and finger massages.

Thanks again for popping by,

Tabitha x

Ladies Who Launch!

Hello and thanks for dropping by! This is the launch week for Spicin’ It Up and I’m really excited to be part of this Spicy Authors’ group.

I will be your Tuesday Girl – Oh, I love the sound of that. I would love to have guests, giveaways and interviews, so if you’re game, fill in our form.

So this first blog is all about me… yikes! I find it much easier escaping into imaginary worlds than talking about the real one. I asked my man since high school, what shall I talk about? He said, ‘Why not talk about me?’

And since he is my biggest inspiration to write naughty romance, maybe I will (a little). Last year I was finishing a novel of mine which had some bedroom scenes included. I daren’t read them at my writing group so I tried them out on my man. He thought they were fine, great in fact, but how could I know he was being objective? With his encouragement and to make sure I could write sex well, I submitted a short story to an Xcite anthology. Imagine my delight when a couple of months later, I got a contract through. When I saw my story in print, I was hooked! I still finished that novel but I realized, while the lovin’ was good, the rest of it was a little dull. I decided to stick to the steamy romance. After some more short stories came my paranormal novella, Mia’s Books, which Beachwalk Press published in July. I am so delighted to be part of the romance community. Everyone is so helpful, friendly and enthusiastic. And the gals on this blog are no exception!

So what about my man? The one who listens endlessly to chapters and drafts of my stories and books without complaint? Well, tomorrow we celebrate our anniversary and to tie in with this new blog, we’re Spicin’ It Up old school with a curry in town.

As a thank you for joining me on my first spot, I have a copy of Mia’s Books to give away – simply leave a comment and I’ll pick a name out of a hat – or a stocking! PS. adults only ;) by commenting, you agree to this.