An Unexpected Meeting...of Lips

Have you ever encountered a moment where, in space of a heartbeat, fear grabbed you, then a kiss stopped you in your tracks?

 

That happened to Branna Lind in Bayou Born with the man assigned by the college vice president to mentor her. A kiss was the last thing she expected from James.

An excerpt from Bayou Born...

“Oh, Lord! If Momma could see me now.” She laughed, not caring who might hear her over the din of voices and piped-in muzak.

With James in the lead, their hands linked, she followed him toward their seats. Someone behind her bumped her hard. She gasped. Fell forward into James, almost sending him forward. She struggled to right herself with the rowdy crowd pushing all around her. Tremors of fear raced through her mind as she started to slip toward the floor. Panicked, she clawed at James’ back.

James turned on a dime. Grabbed her, protected her from falling. He sheltered her from the crushing crowd, and held her steady as she caught her breath. The crowd parted around them as though they were a large boulder in the middle of a fast moving river. Shaken, she clung to him, then blinked when he leaned in and kissed her.

His mouth was warm.

Heat and quivers raced all the way to her toes.

Wrapping his arm around her, he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” Then he wrapped her in an embrace, rested his hand on her hip, and guided her back to their spot at the bar.

Shocked by the kiss, a touch so light and quick that it appeared and disappeared so fast she could have dreamt it. She touched a finger to her lips. They were still warm where his lips had been.

“Who’s going to protect me from you?” she whispered.

I invite you to share the journey of Branna and James in Bayou Born, book one of the Fleur de Lis series. It’s available through:

 

AMAZON / BARNES&NOBLE / KOBO / ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS / BOOKSTRAND

Please visit me at my website - www.linda-joyce.com

Or my blog - www.lindajoycecontemplates.wordpress.com

 

Happy Reading!
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Linda Joyce

Sharon Struth and The Hourglass!

It is with the utmost delight I host my dear friend and fellow agency mate, Sharon Struth, at Tattered Pages today! She brings with her a bit about her writing career, as well as a snippet from her lastest release The Hourglass. I've got this one loaded on my Kindle, Sharon, and can't wait to read it!

~ * ~ 

Novelist Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream. The Hourglass, her debut novel, received first place in the Dixie Cane Memorial Contest and second place in the Golden Heart. She writes from the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut, along with her husband, two daughters and canine companions. For more information, including where to find her published essays, please visit http://www.sharonstruth.com.

Let's start by learning a little bit about you, Sharon, the author. For instance, how did your writing career begin?

After over twenty-five years in accounting, I grabbed the brass ring and decided to pursue a new career. Sorry for the cliché, but I truly believe life really is too short to let my fears stop me from a dream. For the past five years, I’ve pursued this craft every single day. I’m no longer afraid and so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.

Yay! I love that. Writing is, at it's utmost basic level, about letting go of our fears. Okay, so, since you mentioned comfort zones (heh, heh), tell us what heat level you prefer to write. In your books should folks expect that bedroom door to be open or closed?
I love the tension created when two people are attracted to each other. Playful banter or a subtle brush of knees while sitting close, the tiny details that make me crave more for these characters. When they do get physical, a savored kiss and meaningful caress is definitely in order. I’ll take you right into the bed, but then give my characters a little privacy.

Excellent. So tell us a little about The Hourglass. Of the characters you created in that story, which one is your favorite and why?
In The Hourglass, it’s CJ Morrison. CJ intrigued me and surprised me while writing this story. I knew he was rough on the surface. In the process of writing this, he slowly revealed how the curmudgeonly act and abruptness hid a softer caring man. A man who wants to be a better person. A loyal man. A man who’d do anything for someone he loves. I think we all know someone who—on the outside—might have an edge. Yet I’m a believer that it sometimes takes getting to know somebody to see their real soul.

Agreed. And I love the unfolding of the character throughout the book, coming to know them as a reader. CJ sounds like a keeper to me! Speaking of reading, who would you say is your favorite author and why?
My reading tastes run on the eclectic side (much like my decorating tastes). Jennifer Weiner makes me laugh; Jodi Picoult pulls me a world without warning and wows me with her prose; Harlan Coben writes first lines that blow my socks off and keeps me flipping through the pages wanting answers.
 

LOL I'm cracking up about the decorating. Me too! Okay, so what about your husband? Has he ever read your work? And if so, what was his reaction?

Yes and no. One of the things I love about asking my husband, Bill, to read my work is that he’s completely honest. One of the things I hate about asking him is that he’s completely honest!

The truth is, I’m lucky to be married to a man who cares enough to give me truthful feedback. Prior to publication, he had only read a few scenes from The Hourglass. On the day it was released, I’d gone out. When I came home I asked if he saw my book up on Amazon. He turned his tablet around so I could see the screen and said, “I’m reading it.” I was shocked and thrilled. So far, he’s only had good comments.
 
Wow! That's so cool. Good for him...and for you, too! LOL Give me the five top words your best friends would use to describe you.
Chatty. Funny. Sensible. Hard working. Did I say chatty?

LOL It's no wonder you and I get along so well, Sharon. My kids always groan when I start conversations with complete strangers in the grocery store. :-)

And now for a sneak peek inside THE HOURGLASS!

Can forgiveness survive lies and unspoken truths?

Until Brenda McAllister’s husband committed suicide, she appeared to have the ideal life: a thriving psychology practice, success as a self-help author, and a model family. But her guilt over her affair with Jack’s best friend prevents her from moving on. Did Jack learn of her infidelity? Was she the cause of his death?

The release of Brenda’s second book forces her into an unexpected assignment with arrogant celebrity author CJ Morrison, whose irritating and edgy exterior hides the torment of his own mistakes. But as she grows closer to CJ, Brenda learns she wasn’t the only one with secrets—Jack had secrets of his own, unsavory ones that may have led to his death. While CJ helps Brenda uncover the truth about her husband, she finds the path to forgiveness isn’t always on the map.

Excerpt:

Somehow her goal of indifference toward this man had gone into hiding. Determined to fix the added damage she’d just done, she straightened her shoulders, softened her tone, and smiled. “Double-fisted drinker, huh?”

He cut his eyes in her direction and evaluated her with suspicion. “One’s for Autumn.”

Brenda chortled out loud as a Shirley Temple-drink wisecrack jumped from her brain to the tip of her tongue. About to open her mouth, she halted the comment when CJ narrowed his gaze.

“Listen.” Brenda’s tone became more affable. “We’ll have to work together pretty soon. I’m thinking we should clear the air.”

“Really? Well, I’d say you’re itching for a fight.”

For a brief second, she pondered the notion that he might be right. Had CJ’s earlier grumpiness offered an excuse to funnel untapped anger over Jack’s abrupt departure? Anger she’d kept bottled inside for the past year? “No. Just conversation.” She used as much sincerity as she could muster.

He surveyed her, then shook his head. “My Aussie grandmother used to call me a larrikin when I acted like you.”

“What’s a larrikin?”

“Depends on how it’s used.” He cast a scorn-laden glance in her direction.

The bartender placed two cognacs in front of CJ, who pulled a twenty from his pocket and handed it to him.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

The bartender returned with his change.

“Look it up.” CJ pocketed the bills, then lifted the drinks. His mouth curved into an I-got-the-last-word-this-time smirk and he walked away.

~ * ~

Discover more about Sharon Struth here:

Blogs at "Life in the Middle Ages" http://www.sharonstruth.wordpress.com

FacebookAuthor Page

THE HOURGLASS Webpage and Trailer: www.thehourglassnovel.com

AMAZON / BARNES&NOBLE / ALLROMANCEEBOOKS / KOBO

 

THANKS FOR VISITING WITH US TODAY!

XO AJ XO

Mom's Day Snippet Sunday!

Morning Y'all and Happy Mother Day's to the Snippet Sunday Moms!!

I didn't post last week because my blog was under construction...so? What do you think? Isn't it purdy? I've got two releases coming out this fall, and in an effort to brand myself (a job I have avoided for as long as humanly possible) I recently redesigned both my blog and website. You can see my website here if you want:  http://www.ajnuest.com  :-)

For today's snippet, I'm going to pick up two weeks ago where I left off. Caedmon and Rowena were in the forest, surrounded by fog, and she was...exploring his body? I'm skipping ahead just a bit to what happens next.

~* ~ 



A twig snapped.

Caedmon froze, his focus riveted to hers, muscles coiled and tense under her palm. Irritation hardened his features, quickly chased by thin-lipped fear.

Dammit, they’d been found. But by who?

The answer leapt into Caedmon’s eyes. Doesn’t matter. A garrison of Sievere’s men is too great a risk to ignore. Fight now, reason later…or prepare to be arrested…mayhap worse.

She nodded and pressed against him, but he tightened his grip, keeping her in place. He slowly tipped his head toward the pile of weapons he’d left near his saddlebags. She jerked her chin in the opposite direction, indicating her intent to head for the forest. If they were about to be attacked, her best offense would be to see without being seen. Use the fog to transform her into a lethal phantom, striking within the cover of trees.

 

~ * ~





Want more? Be sure to check out other great writers by clicking the links below: 

If you’re a writer (either published or unpublished) join the fun and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.
Participating Authors can be found at these sites: Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
If you leave me a comment, I'll be sure to recriprocate!



The Boys of DownCrash are Here!

Please welcome London Casey to Tattered Pages, who brings to us a New Adult Contemporary Romance, The Stronger, Safer Kind, Book I in The Boys of DownCrash series. Those of you who know me, also know what I sucker I am for rockstar romances (I did marry a guitar player, after all), so it's no surprise when London contacted me, I jumped at the chance to showcase this series.

Here's a peek at what awaits inside the first book in this series! (And by the way, I'm lovin this cover, London. Super cool!)

DownCrash is the band in my newest new adult romance series titled The Boys of DownCrash.  They’re a three piece band and each band member gets their own book.

The series came to me after seeing a couple local bands playing shows and seeing how dedicated their local fan bases were.  Not to mention getting to know some of the band members… and maybe perhaps I, too, play an instrument or three and have a few stories of my own to share.  ;)

Tripp – in the first book (The Stronger, Safe Kind), readers get to meet Tripp.  He’s got attitude, tattoos, and a big heart. From the second he and Scarlett see each other, there’s a connection. But Scarlett is struggling with her own heart after the confession from her close friend, Andy, when he gets drunk and says he loves her.  Andy can give Scarlett an easy life but Tripp’s past and his deepest secrets could possibly be enough to get Scarlett to open up about her hidden past too.

Tatum – the super sexy drummer. He’s tall. No tattoos. But he has piercings. His lip…and somewhere else. When Tatum starts fooling around Scarlett’s roommate, Maggie, things get hot and heavy pretty quick. But then things start to unravel when someone from Maggie’s past comes back, demanding a chance at her future. This isn’t just love and it isn’t just romance…this could possibly mean life and death.

Logan – the quiet but hot bassist. In his book, Logan finally gets a chance to open up. He meets Maggie’s best friend from high school, Annie, and the last thing he’s looking for is a romance. But he can’t help it…he can’t help falling for her…but then fate steps in and Logan feels he’s in the middle of a cruel game.

In creating this band, I had the opportunity to create three different guys and their lives and all that comes with being in a band and what happens after the shows are over. I hope everyone enjoys this trilogy and continues reading beyond The Boys of DownCrash!

Reader can find The Boys of DownCrash here:  Amazon

London Casey is the author of the new adult romance series, The Boys of DownCrash. London has also written the paranormal new adult romance, Hurt Like HELL. Follow on Twitter @london_casey or at www.LondonCasey.com. When not writing, London listens to random music and thinks of more to write about. 

Twitter @london_casey

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LondonCaseyAuthor

Site www.LondonCasey.com