3/30/2012

Flash Fiction Friday: My Boy Friend's Ex




My Boy Friend's Ex


     I knew there was something about this job he didn't want me to know,  but walking on set to find Trey fucking a chick wasn't on my radar of things he might be hiding.

     She squealed, bucking into him. Acting my ass. I threaded my fingers through the hair at my nape where it prickled uncomfortably. When I realized how closely his grip in her hair mirrored my gesture I dropped it immediately.

     I growled. Trey's head snapped up.

     "I can explain."

     "No, you can't." His ex-fiancée lay on the bed, tiny school girl skirt flipped up revealing glistening flesh. 

Like my flash? Try the others:






New Contest! Want to Win Mark's Opening Gambit?


Winner Is:  Maya! 

Congratulations! Please watch for your email notification! 




We're one week from Release! 

That means it's time to give away a copy to some lucky commenter! 

If you'd like a copy of Mark's Opening Gambit, leave a comment on this post, telling me what your favorite flavor of Pop Tart is! 

That's right... your favorite Pop Tart. 

Mine is plain old fashioned unfrosted strawberry, FYI. 

Winner will be selected by random draw on April 4th, so check back here then to find out.

(Don't forget- I can't contact you if you don't leave me your email address!) 

Want to know what you're getting? 




BLURB

The son of a wealthy business man, Mark Addison is an expert at chess and hiding. Mason Grant labors with his hands in a menial position; he's open about who he is and what he wants in ways that terrify Mark. . Their paths shouldn't have crossed, but now that they have...

They came from different backgrounds, yet each adheres to his own version of family duty and responsibility. One would make any sacrifice for his family's well being. For Mason Grant that means leaving school at sixteen and working hard while living as a man of integrity to set an example for his brothers.
The other would sacrifice anything to keep his family life calm. If that means hiding who he really is from his high society, narrow-minded parents, then that's what Mark Addison will do. He just wants to run his shop, host a few tournaments, play a few games of chess.
When Mason meets fussy, precise chess tournament director Mark, he isn't expecting much more than a few hours of uncomfortable sleep in his car while his brother plays.
One disdainful look from Mark changes that.



EXCERPT

The golden brown gaze didn't warm in the slightest under his own admiring regard, but scanned his faded Levis and tight T-shirt with disapproval. Mason half expected to be informed he didn't meet the dress code for the elegant little shop. Instead, Mark Addison looked him over and dismissed him as though he were beneath notice.
Shrugging off the snobbery, Mason slapped his brother on the back. "Go get 'em, kid.  Or whatever you guys call it." He hoped to sleep in his car while his brother played, and turned to leave immediately.
He met Addison's eyes again, tried for a smile, but the arrogant host stared right through him. "Students participating in the tournament are to be supervised by adults at all times." 
The inflectionless voice grated on his nerves as much as the pronouncement.  It wasn't like these were two year olds, for God's sake. It was Chess Club. By virtue of their very geekiness they were mature, well behaved teens.
Too bad such a sexy voice and face belonged to such a prick.  Unfortunately for Mason, he couldn't focus on Johnny's progress through the tournament. All he seemed able to focus on was that slim figure moving between the tables, the unconscious grace of the small man's movements, the seductive draw of tightening khaki across his backside as he bent to survey a board or pick up something from the floor.
He scowled as Mark glared at him again, turning and facing resolutely out the window into the parking lot. In the reflection the glass provided, he watched Mark excuse himself from Ainslie, the kid's coach, and head in his direction, a determined expression on his face.
Good. The self-righteous prick had noticed him. Mark stopped right next to him, and they stood staring out into the parking lot together.
"Stop staring at me like that."
Mason snorted, turned to look down at the shorter man. "Like what?"
The older man twitched and licked his lips. Mason stifled the groan that wanted to escape. He shifted restlessly.
"You know. Like...that."
"Like I want to throw you over my shoulder and take you out of here and fuck you? Sorry. Can't do that." Fascinated, he noted the flush on Mark's cheekbones deepen, heard the hitch in his breathing and knew that he'd been right. Chemistry burned between them.
"You..." Mark glanced cautiously around the shop at the kids concentrating so fiercely on their chess games, the proud parents and coaches peering anxiously at their little darlings. Mark stuttered to a stop before starting again. "Not here. We need to talk privately. Meet me behind the shop in ten minutes."






3/28/2012

Welcome Guest Silvia Violet




Hello everyone! Lee invited me to talk about reality vs fantasy in romantic stories, and I will, but I'm also going to talk about one of my favorite topics – chocolate cake. Chocolate cake is, to me, one of the most perfect foods. I love cake and I love chocolate. When they are blended together and then topped with rich, buttery chocolate icing, an orgasmic eating experience ensues. Mmmm…..
Where was I….oh yes, reality vs. fantasy. Let's say for the purpose of this post that a peanut
butter sandwich represents everyday reality. It's tasty, serviceable food. But it's not typically the thing fantasies are made of (Of course I'm now pondering a way to work a peanut butter sandwich fantasy into my next book.) People don't normally eat a peanut butter sandwich as an escape or a treat. Chocolate cake on the other hand. Chocolate cake is pure fantasy - scrumptious dessert fantasies, foodie fantasies, and possibly on occasion….well, you can imagine those fantasies for yourself.
When I read romance, I want to read about chocolate cake experiences, not peanut butter experiences. But chocolate cake doesn't have to be perfect to be a treat.
Imagine, if you will, a cake that didn't want to co-operate coming out of the pan. The layers are lop-sided, making the cake slant off to one side. When you ice it, the broken pieces add crumbs to the icing. It's not a show piece, but it still tastes amazing. The inside is still moist, rich, and sinfully good and the icing patches it up nicely. I would be happy with just such a cake, and I'm happy to read about heroes who need a little patching up or who aren't perfectly put together.
A chocolate cake with no flaws might be too pretty too eat, but a chocolate cupcake that got knocked about coming out of the tin, one iced by a kid more eager to eat the cake than look at it, that's a treat I can relate to. If a hero has no flaws, he's so far from my reality that I can't relate to him. I can't put myself in his shoes or imagine myself in his bed. But if he's got flaws – he's arrogant, naïve, stubborn, afraid to take any risks, no longer as young or fit as he's "supposed" to be – then he's real to me. That amount of reality won't prevent him from being as delicious as chocolate cake.
I want my reading to take me to a world where two people fall in love despite their flaws and then get their happily ever after. Maybe in a peanut butter sandwich world, their relationship would never work, but in the world of fantasy, they are each other's chocolate cake.
Lark Zaccaro and Derek Carlson aren't perfect men. They've both made choices in the past that have left them scarred, hurt, and alone. In Abandoned, they get a second chance to see past each other's flaws.
Galactic Betrayal 1: Abandoned by Silvia Violet
Blurb:
Lark Zaccaro and Derek Carlson were partners and friends. Lark wanted more. Then someone at the Intergalactic Investigations Bureau sold them out to enemy aliens. Lark was forced to abandon Derek to the enemy, and Derek bought the IIB’s story that Lark betrayed them all.
When Lark’s deep cover mission and Derek’s new job in search-and-rescue collide, the desire simmering between them explodes. Lark needs Derek’s help to escape a new enemy, and Derek needs to
discover the truth about what really happened on that alien planet. Can they overcome lies and betrayal and find the love and comfort they seek, or will their past forever keep them apart?

Excerpt:

Lark Zaccaro smiled as he stepped out of the dripping jungle heat, and into the prison building. Even inside, the stale air was so splyvin' hot it belonged in an oven. He didn't know how anyone could breathe. Not that he was supposed to give a fuck if his prisoners got air or not. He took as deep a breath as he could and headed straight for the interrogation room.
A few hours earlier, his guards had discovered a man crouched in the underbrush, spying on their enclave. Lark's morning had been hell so far, and a vicious interrogation suited his mood perfectly. The two guards flanking the door stepped aside, so he could enter what was truly more of a torture chamber than an interrogation room. At least that's what it had been for his predecessor, and the longer Lark lived on Lancarina, the more he found himself becoming like the man he'd assassinated and replaced. He pushed that disturbing thought away. He wouldn't dwell on how low he'd sunk since he'd left his partner to die in a Lithusian prison cell.
The captive hung from the ceiling, suspended by a heavy chain circling his bound wrists. His toes barely scraped the floor, forcing his arms to support the weight of his large body. The dirty chain bit into his wrists, and blood dripped down his arms. In this squalid jungle, he'd have a deadly infection in no time. Lark would have to do something about that. The man had a ship with advanced defenses. Thus, he was Lark's ticket off this cesspool of a planet.
The man's clothes hung in shreds, and Lark couldn't help but admire his muscular body. His gaze slid over the captive's hard thighs, the impressive bulge in his pants, and the well-defined and disturbingly familiar planes of his chest. When he saw the man's face, he froze. No. It couldn't be. His former partner would have no reason to be here. But Derek Carlson, the man who had haunted Lark's nightmares and his fantasies every day for the six Old Earth months he been in this hellhole, was right in front of him. Chained. Suspended. His to do with as he pleased.
Lark's cock hardened, pressing against the confines of his pants. His body knew what it wanted from Derek, but his mind was less sure. Retribution? Forgiveness? A hot fuck before he threw him in prison to rot? Salvation? His gut knotted at that thought, and he fought to keep his guards from noticing how off kilter he was. He had to play his role, not rush this moment.
There would be time later, in his private quarters, to decide what he wanted to know and how he was going to get the information. If the vessel they had captured in the jungle was Derek's private issue ship, then he'd finally forsaken the lying scum at the Intergalactic Investigation Bureau. They might say their mission is to protect everyone in the five galaxies, but they only care about protecting their own asses. Lark intended to find out why Derek had left, but his guards would play no part in that interrogation. Derek was his.
Lark took a few steps toward the prisoner and studied him. He'd wanted him for years, from the moment they were assigned to work with each other at the IIB. Derek had turned down all his advances, saying they should keep their relationship professional. But now Derek was his prisoner, not his
partner. If he wanted to live, he'd do whatever Lark told him to.
From the way Derek limply hung in his bonds, he was either unconscious or doing an excellent job of faking it. His former partner had fought hard from the look of him. A livid bruise stood out on one cheek and purple splotches decorated his ribs. A deep gash on his arm had dripped blood trails that were now dry. He would have to tend to Derek’s wounds.
Lark needed the man's piloting skills. If he were going to kill Derek for believing those liars from the IIB when they told him Lark had turned traitor, he intended to do so with his own hands after they got off planet. Fortunately, he kept a fully stocked first aid cabinet in his quarters. He just needed to find a way to get Derek there without making his men suspicious .
Nothing but fear and the promise of a huge payoff on their next deal kept Lark's men from turning on him, in the same way he'd turned on the man he had been sent here to investigate. He pulled a long thin blade from his boot and pretended to examine the sharp edge as he circled Derek. He had to suppress a gasp when he saw the maze of scars criss-crossing Derek's back. If he let himself think about how Derek got those, he might be sick right here.
"Leave us," he said to the guards who were eyeing the prisoner in obvious hope of getting some play time.
Buy Abandoned here:
Visit Silvia online:
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Twitter: http://twitter.com/Silvia_Violet



3/23/2012

Flash Fiction Friday: Soap Opera


Flash Fiction Friday 




Soap Star

Another fine mess I've fallen into. Doing hair product commercials kept me fed, clothed and shelterd. Then I met Fabian. He suggested I audition for a new soap opera he was going to be involved with. I let him convince me over martinis and anti-pasta.
The audition went well. The director said our chemistry melted the screen.  I just wished Fabian had told me what kind of soap ahead of time. I didn't realize he wanted me to play his love interest. I pictured a "buddies" thing, like Butch and Sundance.
How do I tell him I'm straight and engaged?


New Excerpt: Mark's Opening Gambit


Coming up on April 5 pretty quickly now! 

Here's an excerpt from 

Mark's Opening Gambit

EXCERPT

The golden brown gaze didn't warm in the slightest under his own admiring regard, but scanned his faded Levis and tight T-shirt with disapproval. Mason half expected to be informed he didn't meet the dress code for the elegant little shop. Instead, Mark Addison looked him over and dismissed him as though he were beneath notice.
Shrugging off the snobbery, Mason slapped his brother on the back. "Go get 'em, kid.  Or whatever you guys call it." He hoped to sleep in his car while his brother played, and turned to leave immediately.
He met Addison's eyes again, tried for a smile, but the arrogant host stared right through him. "Students participating in the tournament are to be supervised by adults at all times." 
The inflectionless voice grated on his nerves as much as the pronouncement.  It wasn't like these were two year olds, for God's sake. It was Chess Club. By virtue of their very geekiness they were mature, well behaved teens.
Too bad such a sexy voice and face belonged to such a prick.  Unfortunately for Mason, he couldn't focus on Johnny's progress through the tournament. All he seemed able to focus on was that slim figure moving between the tables, the unconscious grace of the small man's movements, the seductive draw of tightening khaki across his backside as he bent to survey a board or pick up something from the floor.
He scowled as Mark glared at him again, turning and facing resolutely out the window into the parking lot. In the reflection the glass provided, he watched Mark excuse himself from Ainslie, the kid's coach, and head in his direction, a determined expression on his face.
Good. The self-righteous prick had noticed him. Mark stopped right next to him, and they stood staring out into the parking lot together.
"Stop staring at me like that."
Mason snorted, turned to look down at the shorter man. "Like what?"
The older man twitched and licked his lips. Mason stifled the groan that wanted to escape. He shifted restlessly.
"You know. Like...that."
"Like I want to throw you over my shoulder and take you out of here and fuck you? Sorry. Can't do that." Fascinated, he noted the flush on Mark's cheekbones deepen, heard the hitch in his breathing and knew that he'd been right. Chemistry burned between them.
"You..." Mark glanced cautiously around the shop at the kids concentrating so fiercely on their chess games, the proud parents and coaches peering anxiously at their little darlings. Mark stuttered to a stop before starting again. "Not here. We need to talk privately. Meet me behind the shop in ten minutes."




3/22/2012

Realism and Romanticism: SA Meade Speaks




Reality versus Romanticism in Fiction

Romanticism: The state or quality of being romantic.
Romantic: Given to thoughts or feelings of romance.

When I jumped at a chance to write a guest post on Lee’s blog, I had no idea I'd be set an essay question…jeesh.  Anyway, I’ve given the matter some thought and this is my take on this brain-twister of a topic.
Ever since I stumbled across my first Victoria Holt novel in the school library many, many years ago, I’ve been a sucker for a good romance. I’m one of life’s daydreamers and I like a novel that can take me away from bills, the price of petrol in the UK and what to make for dinner for under £2.06. Having said that, I’m also a reader who likes my books grounded in some sort of reality. 
My pet peeves in romance include love at first sight and perfect characters. Give me lust at first sight and I’m happy and give me real people with sharp edges, broken dreams and issues. I can’t be doing with excessive mooshiness. I read an m/f romance once that ended with the dashing hero arranging for the local peasantry to ski down the local mountainside at night carrying blazing torches so that his girlie could be impressed by the spectacle. It was one romantic gesture too far for me. A romantic gesture, to me, is a cup of tea brought upstairs in the morning, a brave smile when life is crap and a goodnight kiss.
I try to reflect my views on romanticism as much as I can when I’m writing. I try to remember that I’m writing about real people with problems and quirks. All right, they may not fart in bed or clip their toenails in the living room, but they’re stubborn, bad-tempered or too quiet for their own good. I love weaving reality into my romances. I love reading romances with real people.
So, there’s my essay. Did I pass, Lee?

I'll say!  Thank you so much for not including the nail clipping scenes in your books!  I like fantasy in my fiction, and a touch of reality.  Blend it right and you've got a reader for life in me! 

Check out SA Meade's work at her blog: http://kestrelrising.blogspot.com/

Want a preview? Just to make sure SA has the right blend of reality and romance for you? 

Here's a delightful excerpt from Orion Rising

The silence left by the end of the music was broken by the soft clunk of the station’s heating system kicking in for the night. Paul’s leg brushed against mine. Without wine to dull the heat, I crossed my legs and tried not to think what his closeness was doing to me. I struggled for something to say.
            “Thanks for the curry.” It seemed as good a start as any.
            “My pleasure.” He shifted beside me until our shoulders touched. “It’s nice to cook for someone. It’s not really worth just cooking for myself. Do you cook?”
            “A bit, but it’s fairly basic stuff.I’ve been known to open a tin or two and heat the contents up.”
            Paul laughed. “You’ll have to show me what you can do.”
            “All right, I will, one of these days.”
            He slid his arm across the back of the settee. “I’ll hold you to that.”
            I fought the urge to edge closer.
            Paul moved until the gap between us disappeared. I felt his hand, light on my hair. “You don’t mind, do you?”
            The hesitancy in his voice took me by surprise. He was no longer the station boss. He was just a man, finding his way.
            “No, I don’t mind at all.”
            “It’s been a long time since I’ve really enjoyed someone’s company”—Paul curled his fingers into my hair—“the way I enjoy yours.”
            I wanted to kiss him. I wanted him to kiss me. “I enjoy your company, too.” I turned to face him.
            Paul’s eyes were veiled in the twilight of the room. He glided his fingers over my skin, bringing them to rest on either side of my face. He leaned close, his lips parted.
I twisted my fingers into his hair and kissed him, sliding my tongue along the curl of his lower lip until his mouth opened beneath mine. Everything throbbed. Everything ached.
“Oh…Jesus…Michael.” Paul sighed, his breath warm on my lips. He rested his forehead against mine. “Talk about still waters.”



3/21/2012

Lucky 7


Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Lucky Seven





Here are the rules:
1. Go to page 77 (or 7th) of your current ms
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines - sentences or paragraphs - and post them as they're written. No cheating.
4. Tag 7 other authors. No cheating.



Okay Page 77 - & paragraphs: 



"I mean you're young, your little brain controls your life right now. Eventually you'll realize that there's more to life than sexual gratification, more to people than hot bodies and getting off."
Willow jumped off the bed, his guts churned with fury. "I may be indecisive but I am not shallow!"
Cade's blue eyes gleamed. Was he laughing at him? Mocking him? "It's okay. Everyone is all about sex at some point in their lives. You grow out and up and into real relationships as you experience more of life."
Oh yeah. Exposure to Cade should wear that crush right down to nothing. "Then I'm blood y amazed that you want to have a relationship with me and my little head!"
Solemnly Cade intoned. "I happen to like your little head. And to be perfectly honest, I love playing teacher. Much as I thought I'd hate it, I even enjoyed the whole choices thing."
The heart that stalled at the word love on Cade's lips skipped back into beat. "Yeah....that was ....genius."
"Thank you. Now...Ice cream? sofa? Bruce Willis?"




3/16/2012

Giving Up Nominated at The Romance Reviews


Very pleased to announce that Giving Up, Truth or Dare book 3 
has been nominated as 
Best Contemporary Romance of 2011

This is one of those things where readers determine who the finalists and the winners are. There are a lot of other categories and a lot of great books nominated across the boards.



Go on over and vote, even if its not for me!

http://www.theromancereviews.com/bookvote.php 

New Blurb: Mark's Opening Gambit

Mark's Opening Gambit
by 
Lee Brazil


The son of a wealthy business man, Mark Addison is an expert at chess and hiding. Mason Grant labors with his hands in a menial position; he's open about who he is and what he wants in ways that terrify Mark. . Their paths shouldn't have crossed, but now that they have...


They came from different backgrounds, yet each adheres to his own version of family duty and responsibility. One would make any sacrifice for his family's well being. For Mason Grant that means leaving school at sixteen and working hard while living as a man of integrity to set an example for his brothers.
The other would sacrifice anything to keep his family life calm. If that means hiding who he really is from his high society, narrow-minded parents, then that's what Mark Addison will do. He just wants to run his shop, host a few tournaments, play a few games of chess.
When Mason meets fussy, precise chess tournament director Mark, he isn't expecting much more than a few hours of uncomfortable sleep in his car while his brother plays.
One disdainful look from Mark changes that. 

3/09/2012

Flash Fiction Friday: Waiting

Waiting


Waiting. God how I wish I dared just stand up and holler down at Sascha to hurry his ass up. But I can't. Because then she'd see. She'd know. The whole town would know. 

And he doesn't want that. Well, what about what I want? What the fuck about honesty and truth and love?

Yeah. That says it all, huh? 

You know what? There's more to living than safety. There's dignity. 

And if my pants weren't down there on the landing where he tossed them in his passionate desire to fuck, I'd be out of here like a shot. 

Like my flash?
Check out the others! 


New Cover Art: Mark's Opening Gambit

Victoria Miller has once again created a cover I adore. 


Mark's Opening Gambit 

Coming 

April 6th 

from Breathless Press


3/08/2012

Crawl in Bed With SJD

Crawl In Bed With SJD


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


What are you wearing?
Oh, my bad. Was I supposed to be wearing something?



What are we snacking on in bed while we read tonight?
Homemade COOKIES! 


If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find?
No!  Don’t open that — Dammit now you done found my fur lined cuffs. C’mere Lee, let’s see if purple and silver are your color J


Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night?
My engine runs hot, so the blankets always end up on the floor at the end of the bed.


Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up?
Oh yeah, I’ll be your heating pad!!


What are we reading?
Masters & Boyd


Excerpt:
 
THE opulent ruby-red décor glimmered softly under the glow of two huge open fireplaces. A quintuplet of dazzling crystal chandeliers looming majestically overhead reflected the light, causing it to dance in the intimate two-tiered dining space. Swirling the dark purple wine around in his glass, Edward Boyd inhaled deeply, taking in the aromas of blackberry, plum, licorice, and spice. Raising the glass to his lips, he took a small sip. Concentrated berry and pepper flavors with a silky feel danced across his tongue. Delicious.

No matter how wonderful the atmosphere at Acapella, how impeccable the staff or how perfect the wine, Ed simply couldn’t enjoy it with his heavy heart. Three years he’d been with Carrick Masters. Three years of living, loving, and building a strong and solid relationship. Tonight was to be their celebration of those three wonderful years, and yet here he sat alone.

Ed had made the reservations, confirmed schedules, and made sure every minute detail was taken care of. He’d even laid out Carrick’s attire for the evening on their king-size bed: a dark blue Armani suit, a blue jacquard monogrammed French-cuffed dress shirt, Carrick’s favorite gold and sapphire cuff links, black Ferragamo lace-up shoes with a matching belt, and a gold-and-navy silk tie. In addition, since all finely dressed men wore T-shirts under their dress shirts, and Carrick would be looking fine, he had remembered to lay out silk boxers and a T-shirt to keep him looking fresh. His lover had been working himself to exhaustion, and Ed had hoped that by planning everything right on down to Carrick’s attire for the evening, there would be nothing for Carrick to worry about.

Ed’s chest tightened painfully as he glanced down at his watch. He’d been waiting for Carrick for forty-five minutes and finally had to admit that worrying about Carrick’s ensemble should have been the least of his problems. Insignificant worry compared to why my husband stood me up on our anniversary.

After paying for his wine and leaving a sizeable tip, Ed gathered up the small box and card he’d placed on Carrick’s salad plate and made his way out of the restaurant. He waved off the door attendant, who had opened the rear door to a waiting taxi.

“Thanks, Carl, but I think I’ll walk home tonight.”

“Very well, sir. Have a good evening, Mr. Boyd.”

Ed waved his goodbye without turning back and headed down the nearly deserted sidewalk. There was a chill in the air, and he hoped that the quiet walk and cool evening temperatures would help clear his head, though he doubted that any amount of walking would relieve the heaviness in his chest or the sting in his eyes. Christ, had it only been three years since he married Carrick Masters? It seemed like just last week that the most stunning man he’d ever seen had taken the seat next to him on a bench outside St. Mary’s Hospital and met his gaze with twinkling hazel-green eyes. As he walked, his mind traveled back in time.



“Mind if I have a seat?”

Ed’s breath caught as he looked up. “Umm… no. I mean, I don’t mind,” he stammered. 

Good Lord, the man was gorgeous. His disheveled short brown hair stood out in a hundred different directions as if he’d been repeatedly running his hands through it. The stranger had a strong square jaw with dark stubble, high cheekbones, and thin lips. Wide shoulders filled out the blue surgical scrub top, tapering down to lean waist, the bright red drawstrings of his scrub pants catching Ed’s attention. One little tug of the string….

Ed gathered his wayward thoughts, cheeks heating as the man took the seat next to him and extended his large hand. “I’m Carrick.”

“Ed,” he replied, accepting the offered hand. 



He’d never forget that first moment when his and Carrick’s hands had touched. A jolt had shot through him as the skin of their palms met, each man’s grip tightening as sure as the tightening in his groin and their gazes locking. His dad’s mishap with a circular saw—okay, so nearly cutting off a hand was probably a little more than a mishap, but thanks to dear ol’ Dad’s carelessness, he’d met the man of his dreams while sitting out in front of St. Mary’s Hospital as the surgeons worked to save Jonathon Boyd’s hand. To this day, one touch from Carrick still sent a jolt through him.

Their lives had been crazy back then, Carrick in his third year of residency in the surgical program and Ed in his final year of his Juris Doctorate degree. Yet no matter how busy, they always seemed to find time for each other. Some days their time together was measured in minutes rather than hours, but they had always been thankful for each occasion and cherished each opportunity, giving each other their sole focus while they were together, counting the minutes until they could be together again. Even in the limited amount of free time Ed had, Carrick always made him feel special.

Ed rubbed absently at his chest as he made his way down Seventh Avenue. Their lives were still busy—his husband was in the fellowship program, specializing in pediatric orthopedics. Carrick only had a few months left. He’d soon be joining a very well-known and successful orthopedic group, and Ed was now a junior partner in his dad’s law firm. Soon school would be behind them and their lives would become more manageable, time-wise, and yet Ed wasn’t so sure anymore that their relationship had endured the stresses. He certainly didn’t feel special anymore.

Reaching the row house he shared with Carrick, Ed ran a finger along the black wrought iron railing as he took the steps up to their front door. A smile crossed his face as he remembered a happier time, the way his much larger lover had lifted him into his arms and carried him up these very steps the night of their commitment ceremony. If he concentrated hard enough, Ed could still hear their laughter, could still see the love and happiness that had shone in his lover’s eyes. His chest tightened. God, I miss that look.

As he stood on the steps of his home, the cool April wind chilled him, yet the memories of that night exactly three years ago warmed him deep inside. We belong together. He didn’t doubt the soundness of that belief; they just needed to get back to the basics of what made them such a great couple. No way in hell was he going to allow them to give up now when many of the obstacles they had faced were about to be behind them. Especially after they had survived everything that had been thrown their way these past years. Somehow, some way, they would get it back again. Anything less was simply unacceptable!

Carrick was still in the same spot he’d left him earlier. Ed leaned against the doorway of the study, taking in the slumped shoulders and frantic hands running through soft brown hair as Carrick studied the open textbook in front of him. Dark-brown coffee stains marred the once-white papers spread out on the desk as well as the wrinkled, pale-yellow shirt stretched tight across Carrick’s chest. Understanding and tenderness replaced the unease he’d been feeling as he watched his exhausted husband struggle to comprehend what he was reading, his difficulty evidenced by the teeth worrying his bottom lip and the deep frown marring his handsome face. Poor guy! Carrick didn’t need a lecture on how to be a better partner. What he needed was a back rub and a little affection. To be shown how much he was loved and a little sleep wouldn’t hurt. Sighing, Ed stepped further into the study.


3/06/2012

Crawl in Bed With Sara York


Crawl in Bed With Sara - A Second Date? 

*crawls across bed and settles on pillows* Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton? Cotton, I’m all about comfort, and for me, comfort starts with cotton. Of course the thread count is off the charts so it’s soft as a porn stars behind. Well, a very young twink porn star, not a bear.


*Blinks* Oh sorry...I was momentarily distracted by your use of imagery.  Strictly literary moment, there.  Yeah, that's what it was.  So, what are you wearing? It’s cold now, so I’m bundled up in my sweats, not sexy but then again it’s comfortable. It does have Minnie Mouse on the front though!


Who says sweats aren't sexy? I"m wearing my flannel pj's and no one's ever complained about them lacking sex appeal. What are we snacking on in bed while we read tonight? For you, I brought in some wine and strawberries. Normally there is a no food in bed policy, but I’ll break it today.


Ooooh, nice!  This is a lovely wine. And strawberries! Fantastic! If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find? Underwear, thongs mostly and earplugs. You will also find my Kindle. The good stuff is locked away in a safe, I have kids and they snoop.


*looks at kindle*  I"m tempted to scoop that up and see what you've been reading.  I"ll resist though. Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night? Both. I know, it’s psychotic to do both in the same night, but sometimes I get hot. Snuggle time is important though, so we need to scoot close.


Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up? Babe, just snuggle up, I won’t bite. Well, I might nibble, but I won’t leave marks. I do lick and grope though.


Oh, I like a little biting...Ahem. *looks around* Y'all didn't hear that. What are we reading? Not That Type of Guy a new thriller, which I have to say that Lee gave me the name for this book. So thank you Lee!
What? I did? How? When? ---


Blurb
When CIA assassin Aiden Johnson is trapped between a bathroom wall and a hard man, he chooses the hard man, much to his surprise. Aiden doesn’t want to admit he’s gay, but his first stumble into man love leaves him disoriented, searching for answers and desperate to find the truth. He covers his real desires by dating an ultra hot girl, but it’s the guy sitting a few tables away that draws his attention.
Super nice and attractive Doctor Trace Williams is so special he seems like an angel to Aiden. Their first kiss blows Aiden away. That Trace sees into his soul, even when Aiden is trying to hide everything, pisses him off. Aiden needs Trace in his life, but once Trace finds out the truth about Aiden’s job, will they have any part of their relationship left?

What would you do if your lover ripped apart the very foundation of what you believed?


Excerpt
Announcements were made, and people stood. Chuck jumped up from his seat and took a step towards Javad. This is where the plan could easily go wrong. They’d spent days working out, practicing and running through how to get Javad to smoothly take the coin Chuck offered. It wasn’t a normal coin, but one covered in a film that when introduced to the subject, made the poison in Aiden’s ring more potent. The chemical on the coin had no scent, no taste and no color. The subject would never know he’d been given a doctored coin.
Chuck bent down, his face full of surprise, just like they’d rehearsed. “Wow, this is cool.”
A few people turned to check out the interruption in their boring commute. Javad didn’t move.
“Huh, interesting.” Chuck stood and moved his head to look at all the passengers.
The men with Javad were getting antsy like Aiden knew they would. Aiden hated and loved this part of their missions. Sure, it was easy to stand two thousand yards from a mark and pump lead into him, but where was the fun in that? Personally, Aiden could waste an orange at three thousand yards; a human at two was chump change. Working a person up close allowed for much more creativity, and the creative aspect of this job kept him from going crazy.
“This must be yours.” Chuck held the gold Iranian coin out for Javad to take.
The coin wasn’t anything over the top. Just a piece they’d picked up from a corrupt eBay dealer after the government had shut him down, worth about a hundred to two hundred American. Enough to make Javad want it, but not enough to make him recoil.
It was common knowledge Javad loved coin collecting and often carried pieces of his collection with him when he travelled. He would bring them out to show off, so it was reasonable to assume he might have a coin of worth in his pocket.
Javad took the bait. He fingered the gold coin, rubbing his thumb across the surface and examining the marks on the front and back. His eyes grew larger for a millisecond then he broke into a huge smile.
“Ahh, thank you very much. I seem to have lost something important this morning. Ali, give him a twenty pound note.”
“No, I don’t need anything for giving you back what was yours. It’s nothing.”
Aiden could have said Chuck’s lines for him since they’d rehearsed the interaction so many times. They knew their mark, knew what he would do when given the coin and how he would react. Chuck played the dumb American tourist to a T, reveling in the stereotypes, almost too much. Had Chuck not just sucked him off he would give into the pleasure of seeing the big guy work, but now Aiden couldn’t look at Chuck without popping wood.
“I insist.” Again, Javad didn’t stray from what they’d assumed he would do. They’d done their homework and knew the man.
The train pulled to a stop and the doors opened. Javad stood, his movements spry for a man in his sixties. But Javad didn’t go the way they'd predicted. Instead, he moved away from Aiden towards the far exit, tossing a wrench in their careful plans.
Aiden improvised. He folded his paper, careful of the poison wrapped around his ring finger. They’d joked about the delivery method. Poison wedding band, just like the real thing.
Aiden jumped up and pushed forward. Javad’s rear guard blocked the aisle. Aiden hated they were going to miss their opportunity to strike. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chuck move and bump into the rear guard. The guard’s face went red as Chuck used his bulk to push the guard into the row of seats opposite of him.
Aiden used the opening to pass the guard and come right up on the back of Javad. Before he could deliver the poison, he tripped and fell forward. He yelped, and Javad spun around, reached out and grasped onto Aiden, supporting his body weight. Aiden purposely thought about Chuck’s mouth on his cock, forcing a blush and making him look embarrassed. He reached forward and grabbed onto Javad’s arm, letting the poison ring prick the terrorist’s skin through his coat
Javad didn’t flinch. Aiden knew exactly what the stick from the ring felt like, knew how much force to make the small needle sink into the other man’s arm through the clothing he wore. Knew exactly how to move to keep Javad unaware of the poison introduced to his system.
If Aiden had done his job right, the terrorist had no clue what really happened and, judging from the utter lack of reaction from Javad, Aiden had done exactly what he’d meant to do.
“I’m so sorry. I’m such a klutz. Pardon me,” Aiden said.
Aiden shook his head, again pushing the thought of Chuck on his knees to the front of his mind, leaving him stammering with sweat popping out on his face, the perfect reaction of embarrassment and awkwardness to cover for the cold hatred running through his blood. He struggled not to think of the fifteen women and seventy children who’d been murdered by this man’s work. He didn’t think of the pictures hung on the board in their war room. The bomb blast that killed four babies last May, which Javad had financed, didn’t cross his mind. Only Chuck, his eyes staring up at him as he opened his mouth and sucked in Aiden’s cock.
“It is fine. Are you feeling unwell?” Javad asked in perfect English.
“No, no, I’m fine. Just a bit clumsy, that’s all. I’m so sorry.”
Javad helped Aiden right himself, and waved off his angry guards.
“Be careful,” Javad said.
“Sorry.” Aiden watched as Javad and his guards moved on. He picked up his newspaper and left the train, following after Javad and his entourage. The guards glanced back, but left him alone. Aiden stopped by a support pole and mopped his brow with a hanky, playing up his role as a bumbling idiot. He took the time to place the cover back on the small needle on the ring to avoid an accidental stick, so practiced in this task; no one would have any idea what he’d done.


Amazon Link - http://www.amazon.com/Not-That-Type-Guy-ebook/dp/B007DTQCVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330557452&sr=8-1


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