7/27/2012

Welcome Guest Rosana Leo!


Good morning readers! Join me in welcoming Rosana Leo today! 

Hello fans of romance!
I wrote Up In Flames when I realized that women go absolutely crazy for firemen!  And I’m one of them!  It occurred to me that it might be interesting to pit a hot fire chief against a stubborn beauty who has grown to despise the firefighter uniform, because of how she was once treated by these men in uniform.  It was a lot of fun writing this book and watching the sparks fly between my hero and heroine.  I hope you’ll enjoy it too.  It’s a tale of sizzling desire, betrayal and learning how to trust again. 

Blurb:
Juliet Baker is not looking forward to coming home after six months. Yes, the fiery brunette wants to make a go of turning her parents' farmhouse into a B&B. She’s just not looking forward to seeing the place where they died. To make things worse, she knows she'll finally have to face her cheating, firefighter ex-boyfriend.
Luckily, her sister has found Jules a boarder. Easy money, right? Not when she realizes the boarder is Captain Shane Gaskill. Not only is Shane a firefighter, he’s the town's hot new fire captain.
Jules is determined to hate all firefighters. After all, the men of that precious brotherhood protected her cheating ex. Shane, however, proves he’s different from the start. He's protective and kind, and she can't stop looking at his smoking, Viking-hot body. She learns, though, that Shane isn't so willing to love again either. He's been hurt, too. They both fight the sexual chemistry, and resulting tenderness, between them. But when a stalker begins to target Jules, they realize they can't fight their desire forever.
As the threats escalate, Shane and Jules are thrown together. The resulting passion overwhelms them. But are they willing to trust each other and surrender to the flames of love?

Excerpt:

When he saw the woman, his breath caught in his throat. It was her, the rude but delectable brunette from the gas station. The one, he loathed to admit, he’d been thinking of almost the entire drive over.
“We meet again,” he whispered. “Maybe Ms. Baker has a gorgeous granddaughter?”
Gorgeous didn’t seem to be the right word for her, he decided, as he watched her argue with the firefighter. Her delicate face had blushed rosy pink from anger, and her bright eyes shone with indignation. She was splendid in her fury, from her cropped black hair to the shapely legs extending from her khaki shorts. Her body was tense, but her stiff shoulders could not detract from the soft, swelling bosom below them. The woman’s fists were clenched, so much so he ached to calm and relax her. Her generous lips were pursed into a tight line, but he remembered their sweet fullness when she’d gawked open-mouthed at him at the gas station.
No, her anger did nothing to diminish her many charms. Gorgeous wasn’t quite a strong enough word to describe her. Stunning seemed more appropriate.
“Oh, come on, babe,” the other man replied. “You always took things so seriously.”
“You mean, like our relationship? Yes, I did.”
“I swear, those others meant nothing to me.”
Listening to the other man, the other firefighter, Shane felt his own anger rising. How many others did he have when he had this knockout as a girlfriend?
“Kevin, I can’t do this right now. Please, just go.” Her eyes grew moist.
Her tears were not lost on Shane. He felt his stomach clench, and he was seized by the extraordinary impulse to protect her. She might be a bit odd, careening away from him earlier, but something in her luscious figure and angelic face called to him.
He heard the other man, Kevin, begin to protest. And then, Shane heard his own baritone voice cutting through it. “I believe the lady asked you to leave.”
Shocked, the other two turned to see Shane hurtle over the porch railing to the yard below. He pulled himself to his full height and approached Kevin and the brunette.
“Who the hell are you?” Kevin demanded. “This is a private conversation.”
“The lady asked you to leave.” He nodded at her, and then came to within a foot of Kevin’s face. “Consider it an order from your captain.”
“What?” Kevin blurted, as the woman’s jaw hit the floor.
“You’re the new fire captain?” she asked. And then her eyes dropped to his chest, the one he’d last displayed in its naked, sweaty glory.
Shane inclined his head toward her and smiled. Damn. Up close she was even prettier. At that moment, he would have given anything to get rid of that Kevin.
“Captain Gaskill?” Kevin ventured. A comical flurry of emotions flew across his face, betraying everything from anger at being interrupted to fear for his job.
“And you are?”
“Kevin McGuinness. It seems you’re my new boss,” he said slowly, as if mentally choosing his tactic for dealing with the unwanted newcomer. “You’ve got the wrong idea, though. This lady and I have a relationship…”
“Had a relationship,” she broke in.
“Mr. McGuinness, we’ll talk again when I’m settled at the station.” Shane used his most authoritative tone, the one that brooked no opposition.
Kevin, blue eyes blazing and blushing himself now, stared down his captain. Shane suppressed a chuckle, wondering at his luck at making an enemy in Riverbend, despite having only been there a few days. He could see Kevin wanted to take a swing him, but had enough brains to decide against it.
Instead, the man addressed the woman. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Whatever,” she replied. As soon as Kevin pulled away in the Mazda, she stormed toward the house.
Shane called out to her. “Miss, excuse me. Do you know where I can find Ms. Baker?”
“Why, Captain Gaskill, you’ve already found her.” She turned about, hazel eyes flashing and then pounded down the walkway to the house.

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Deleted Scene: It's Simple Simon


Every once in a while a little something slips into the first draft that just doesn't make the final cut. 
This is one of those scenes. I can' stand to just kiss it good-bye, so I thought I'd toss it up here. Meet Chase...The Pieman
He's one of the heroes of It's Simple Simon, releasing in August. 

Copyright ©  2012 by Lee Brazil


***
"I need to return these." He dumped the bag of bedding on the counter at the service desk.
"Yes, sir. How may I help you?" A bright perky voice and a wide smile weren't going to cover for stupid very long.
Chase took a deep breath and spoke in his slowest, calmest, please-understand-me voice. "I need to return these items." He nudged the bag closer to the vacuous clerk.
"Yes sir. Let's see..." The little blonde eagerly dove into the bag, pulling out sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and a fluffy comforter. "Oh yes. We carry this design."
"I know. I bought them here last week." Chase checked his watch. Someone behind him in the line coughed and he scowled. Keep your germs to yourself!
"Do you have a receipt?" Cherry red lips parted in an impossibly bigger smile.
"Right here." He handed over the receipt, waiting patiently.
The clerk accepted the receipt and peered at it intently. The smile dimmed a little. The brows drooped. The smooth brow wrinkled. The clerk looked back up at him, seeming to take in his size and appearance for the first time. "Mr. ummm?"
"Garvin, Chase Garvin." He supplied. "Is there a problem?"
"Just a small one. These items were on sale when you bought them."
"Yes, I know."
"I can't take these back if they were on sale." Pretty lips thinned to a stubborn line. The people behind him shifted and muttered. Heat rose in his face. Not sure why he was so embarrassed, it wasn't like he was paying in pennies or anything.
"The clerk in the department said I could bring them back if they didn't work as long as I had the receipt." He insisted.
"I see." The blonde reached for a pad of pink white and yellow forms and began filling it out with neat bubble writing. "Why are you returning them?"
"I bought a new bed." That was understatement. He'd bought a whole new bedroom, including king size furnishings, new paint, carpets, etc. to impress a man who wouldn't ever see them.
Blue eyes widened in disbelief. "That's not on here. I can't put that." She pointed with her candy cane pen—in June! "It has to be: wrong size, wrong color, flawed. Are they the wrong color maybe? Cause this color probably makes you look yellow."
Well, thank you very much! "No, this is the color I wanted. It might make me look yellow, but it makes my boyfriend's skin glow." It might be an exaggeration to call Simon his boyfriend, but...
Perky's turn to blush.
"Look, just put wrong size, okay? These are full size and I got a new bed that's king size."
It should have been all over. It wasn't. Perky picked up a small phone and mumbled into it, pushed the bedding aside. "I have to get the department head's approval since they were on sale." She seemed not to notice the restless natives in line behind Chase, but he was more than aware of the impatient huffs, the shuffling feet and the mutters. He was tempted to turn and run, but Perky had the linens, and he didn't have the refund, or the store credit, or anything, and it was a hefty sum of money.
When a few minutes later the serious faced department head approached the counter wielding a bright red pricing gun and a box cutter, he heaved a sigh of relief. "They didn't work," he blurted. "You said I could return them if they didn't work."
She looked at him, spun the pricing gun in her fingers, snapped her gum and clipped it to her belt. "Lessee what we got here." She peered into the bag, waved Perky over. The two conferred in tiny little whispers that Chase couldn't make out.
"You've opened them." The department head said, moving to the front counter. "I can't take them back if you opened them. I have no packaging to put them in."
"What? You didn't tell me that!" He scowled, checking his watch again. "How the hell was I supposed to tell if they worked or not if I didn't open them?"
Perky and the department head just stared blankly at him. "Who's going to buy them if they don't have packaging?" Perky asked matter-of-factly.
"For all we know, you used them, threw them in the bag and brought them back unwashed." The DH chimed in, nodding her chin resolutely.
"For fuck's sake. You can still see the crease marks where they were folded!"
"They smell like cologne." The DH said, as though that ended the matter.
"You've got to be kidding me. I just stood in this line, at this counter, when I have a plane to catch, and you're not going to give me my refund." He was going to miss his flight.
"No refund," The DH slammed her box cutter on the counter.
"Fine." He spun out of the line and the customers behind him melted out of his way as he stalked off.
"Sir!" Perky called after him. "Sir! You forgot your stuff!"
"Keep it!" He yelled over his shoulder. "The fuck am I gonna do with sheets two sizes too small?" Besides, even if he checked them on the flight, the airline would probably lose them. Not to mention, he'd have to pay extra for them to be on the flight at all.
Pounding feet skidded to a halt next to him. He glanced at the brave soul who'd approached him out the corner of his eye. It was the DH. He kept walking, lengthened his stride so she had to really hop to keep up.
She shoved the bag at him. "We can't keep this, it's illegal."
He ignored the bag. "I'm late. I won't press charges. Deal with it. You have no problem with unethical business practices. I'm sure you can find something to do with those sheets. Trash them for all I care."
Thank God for e-tickets and that he had only one small carry on duffle.





7/26/2012

Crawling Into Bed With Liz Borino's Steve Michaels


Crawling Into Bed With
Steve Michaels from Action, by Liz Borino
And a Good Book

Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton?
Cotton

What are you wearing?
Boxers.

What are we snacking on in bed while we read tonight?
Snack? We don’t eat in bed…unless it’s each other.

If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find?
Oh, um, you don’t want to open that drawer. We keep our assorted toys in there.

Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night?
I tend to kick them off onto Zack. He’s always cold.

Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up?
Yeah, sure. I’m used to it.

What are we reading?  Action available at Amazon AllRomance 


 



Crawl in Bed With Shelton


Crawling Into Bed With
Shelton
And a Good Book

*crawls across the bed and snuggles into the pillows* Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton?

We use silk sheets when Nevil’s home. I especially like the dark blue set that matches his eyes. *blush* But since he’s gone for the week I’m using the cotton ones. Very soft. *runs hand over sheet then pats the spot next to him* Come try it. I like this teal color.

Well, it's a very lovely shade. You're sure Neville isn't going to come bursting through that door and want to kick my ass? What are you wearing?

Flannel pajama bottoms. *nibbles bottom lip* Should I put a shirt on?

*casts an admiring gaze over Shelton* Not on my account.What are we snacking on in bed while we read tonight?

Frozen grapes and blueberries and dark chocolate truffles. Oh, and a bottle of Port. Yea, I have a sweet tooth.


Lovely. Frozen fruit is fantastic in this heat. If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find?

*blush deepens* Um…We’ll just keep that closed. Thank you.


*eye roll* You do know there's nothing in there these folks haven't seen, right? *shakes head* Okay, Mr. Modesty. Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night?

Burrito, all the way, especially when Nevil’s not here to warm me up in the middle of the night.        

Good thing I brought my own then. Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up?

Um, sure… Where on you can I put my cold hands?


Yikes! Not there! What are we reading?  

Shelton’s Homecoming, where finally, after two years with my    elusive lover, I get my HEA.     

Awesome! I love a HEA!

 
Shelton’s Homecoming

Shelton’s grown tired of living a life separate from Nevil. So when Nevil is hurt in an accident at work, Shelton comes home for good. Feeling closer than ever to his lover, Shelton’s ready to make a lasting commitment to their relationship. But is that what Nevil wants? Nevil is less than enthusiastic when an old flame marries, leaving Shelton
wondering if he’ll have to keep his dreams on hold indefinitely.


Excerpt:

The doctor returned as promised; checked Nevil over; and discharged him.
"I left a prescription at the nurse's station for you to pick up on your way out. Pain meds for the headache I know you're hiding; and you can also take them for your arm."
"Thank you, Andrew," Nevil said with his charming smile.
Shelton gave the love of his life a dry look. Always the flirt. He shook the doctor's hand and took the copy of the release papers from him. "Thank you for taking such good care of him. I have to tell you it was a relief to find him here rather than in ICU."
"It was my pleasure. Take care."
Nevil collected his prescription at the front desk and they made their way to the elevators. A soft rain fell as they emerged from the hospital entrance and made a dash for the train depot. Deep in thought, Shelton chewed his lip while they waited.
He glanced at Nevil beside him and noted the white set of his lips. "I could take you home first if your head hurts. There's no reason I can't retrieve the car myself later and pick up your prescription."
Nevil gave him a smile and slipped his warm hand into Shelton's. "Let's pick it up together. I feel like I've just been released from prison. I want to be outside for a while."
"Just don't get chilled," Shelton said, and then he groaned. "Please ignore me. I think I left my brain back in Colorado."
Nevil chuckled. "As long as your luscious body is here," he murmured and smacked his lips together.
Shelton glanced around quick. No one paid them any attention so he gave Nevil a light kiss; then wished he hadn't as every nerve in his body ignited. He wanted Nevil wrapped around him--now; with Nevil's gorgeous cock buried deep inside him.
He jerked his gaze down the tracks; embarrassed and aching. He hoped Nevil hadn't noticed the tremble in his hands. They would pick up the Prius and go home; where Nevil would take his meds and go to bed. Shelton would have to content himself with a shower where he could get rid of the hard-on he'd suffered all morning. The idea made him feel alone and without a thought he squeezed Nevil's hand.
Nevil leaned close to whisper in his ear, "Don't forget … you promised to let me 'do' you."
Shelton laughed, breathless. He turned back to Nevil and touched his lips with an unsteady finger. "I'm holding you to that," he said, then sucked in air when Nevil's velvet soft lips closed over his fingertip. He watched in captive fascination as his digit disappeared bit by bit between those pale lips. He felt the roughness of Nevil's tongue in the moist, hot depths; then Nevil pushed the finger to the roof of his mouth and started to suck on it. God! Shelton's prick hardened more with each draw as Nevil’s tongue undulated around his finger; his balls were tight and ached.
"Damn, Nevil … stop! You're going to get us arrested," he panted in his lover's ear. He knew that at any second he was ready to drag Nevil behind the hospital and fuck him senseless.
Nevil's throaty laugh made him shiver with bliss. "The train’s coming."
Shelton dropped his head on Nevil's shoulder and fought to calm his unsteady senses. Nevil didn’t play fair. He almost sobbed when Nevil's body heat wrapped around him and teased him closer when it was time to pull away.
"Come on, Love. It won't take long to get the car and then we can go home," Nevil said with encouragement and he tugged on his sleeve. Shelton boarded the sleek train car; but chose to stand when Nevil patted the seat beside him. He couldn’t tell where Nevil's fingers would roam if he sat down. Nevil gave him a delighted smile in answer as he read his mind with ease. Shelton scowled and looked out the window as the train gathered speed. His errant mind pictured Nevil's mouth on him as they swept along the tracks; and he had to stifle a moan in his throat.


Dianne Hartsock


7/24/2012

New Contest! Win It's Simple, Simon!

Congratulations 
to our Winner by Random Draw 
danhox@msn.com 
who suggested Rub-a-dub-dub, Three men in a tub!
  I am emailing Dan. 
Thank you to everyone who commented!   

Release Day is fast approaching!

That means it's giveaway time!



I'm offering an advance copy of It's Simple, Simon to one lucky reader who responds to this post in the comments section...

Want to know what you're getting?

It's Simple, Simon
 copyright© Lee Brazil


Simon Carter has achieved unimaginable success
and he owes it all to a man from his past whose scorn set fire to his ambition.

"It's Simple, Simon. You lack ambition."

Chase Garvin's jibe had sent Simon Carter on unexpected paths and brought him unimaginable success. No longer a penniless musician, the highly paid investment banker is going home for the first time in years. He plans to rest, relax, and spend a little time rubbing his ex-lover's nose in his success. A visit to the Renaissance Fair brings this not-quite-so-simple- Simon nose to nose with his past and somehow revenge doesn't seem quite so attractive.

Chase Garvin, Denver, Colorado's very own Pie Man, is still incredibly handsome. What's more, the more mature Chase is very appreciative of Simon's talents.

When the old attraction flares between them, Simon and the Pie Man get caught up in tasting the wares, and neither counts the pennies.

Excerpt
He sniffed the golden pies. Mmm. Chase had always been talented in the kitchen. The aroma was intoxicating. Delicious. As he ate, savoring the flaky crust and rich fillings, he contemplated the man who'd treated him to the pies. Chase was one hot baker. He'd always been sexy, but there was no way that hunk of beef could fit into his old Renaissance garb. Chase had put on muscle. His shoulders had broadened, his biceps bulged, and mmm.... The rest was hidden behind that voluminous apron, but Simon doubted that it had changed much.

Best of all, Chase still seemed to find him attractive. That was just icing on the cake. The sugar on the pie? He chuckled softly. Whatever it was, he liked it. Liked the idea that Chase might still be interested in him sexually. As he licked the sugary filling off his fingers, he contemplated abandoning his plan. After all, Chase hadn't meant to hurt him years ago, and he'd certainly seemed welcoming enough, even though to all appearances Simon hadn't changed over the years. Yeah, there really wasn't any reason to prove to Chase how successful and ambitious he really was. He should just come clean.

On the other hand, he felt like enough of an idiot for hiding his success in the first place. He bit into the next pie, feeling the juice trickle down his chin. He licked at it, chewing and swallowing, scrabbling absently for a napkin to wipe his chin. It would be horribly embarrassing to go back to that booth and offer to pay for the pies, to tell Chase why he hadn't wanted to pay in the first place.

"Here, I'll get that for you." Chase grabbed his napkin. To his surprise, Chase drooped down onto the grass next to him. Instead of dabbing his chin with the white paper napkin, the man leaned forward, his breath a warm buttery scented breeze as he hovered close for a moment before gently licking the juice off Simon's skin.


Now- how do you win it?
It's Simple.
*snicker*
Leave me a comment, including contact info, with your favorite nursery rhyme- or a nursery rhyme you think would make a great foundation for a naughty tale...and on July 31, 2012- I'll select a winner by random draw form the participants!

See? Easy...


Be Yourself

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings, 1955
The Romance Reviews