Book Spotlight-Finding Baby J by Lorraine Nelson

One lonely woman, a doctor afraid of commitment... Will finding Baby J help them find each other?

Shana Davis knows what it's like to be unloved and unwanted. Her childhood involved being shuffled from one foster home to the next. One night, as her shift at Mercy hospital comes to an end, she hears a forlorn, mewling sound and finds a newborn baby boy left in a dumpster. The abandoned baby appeals to her soft heart and her immediate attachment to the child—dubbed Baby J—leads to her spending a lot of time in the Maternity Ward in the company of the handsome Dr. Daniels.

Dr. Kagan Daniels is heart-sore and commitment-shy due to his failed marriage and past experiences with selfish, cold-hearted women. But he sees a gentle, caring soul in Shana and is drawn to her. Despite his reservations, he realizes he wants to get to know her better and finds excuses to spend time in her company.

Having always wanted to be a daddy, Kagan adopts Baby J. As he and Shana grow closer, Shana feels she's found her own private heaven. She has Baby J and the man of her dreams. What more could a woman want?

But a conniving woman, a manipulative mother, and a man from Shana's past threaten to come between them. Will the lies spewed by others separate them forever? Or can their love win out over all?

Kagan held her hand as he guided her into the house. They walked through to the foyer to ascend the magnificent staircase leading to the second story. Once there, he preceded her into his personal suite of rooms. The main area had a bay of windows opening out unto a balcony. The view overlooked the back lawn and gardens then meandered down to the river where a boathouse and dock were just visible in the moonlight. 

"Your home has such beautiful views."

"Nothing compares to the beauty of you. I especially like looking at you as I undress you, exposing that gorgeous body, one piece of clothing at a time." 

He matched his words with action, starting with her sweater, looped casually around her shoulders. Then turned her into his arms for a deep, passion-filled kiss. She felt that melting sensation that happened every time he kissed her. Her insides fluttered and took wing then settled into a delicious knot of anticipation. She stroked her hands down his chest and felt the ripple of firm muscle, enjoying the opportunity to explore his body more fully. Her inhibitions completely deserted her. Though he hadn't said the words, she felt he was making a commitment to them and not just playing the field. 

He led her to the bed where he continued to strip her bare. Night had fully descended, moonlight reflecting off the water, illuminating the room enough so they could see each other. 

Her hands were busy with the buttons on his shirt, shaking so much from anticipation they refused to work properly. In her haste, she ripped the remaining ones free and delighted in running her fingers through the coarse chest hair; the texture so different that when she rubbed her breasts against him, the tingles went straight to her groin. Heavenly days! The sensations this man evoked in her were rocking her world.

Naked at last, they fell to the bed in a jumble of arms and legs, laughing, kissing, and caressing each other. She'd never thought of sex as fun, only as a necessity to consummate a relationship, but this sense of sharing and bonding between them filled her with a glorious awakening of her power as a woman. She delighted in arousing him, of being able to turn him on with the merest look or touch, as he did her.

Soon, all playfulness disappeared in the passion of the moment as their bodies joined together, working toward a common goal, that of pleasuring each other to fulfillment.

Buy Links:

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=15&products_id=309&zenid=6dr2jui3dqllkertkjusurk4f7

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-findingbabyj-932996-149.html

http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Baby-J-ebook/dp/B0097B818G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347110139&sr=8-1&keywords=Finding+Baby+J

Rescued Love

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to help, especially those who are helpless. When it came to writing a novel, I couldn't pass up the idea of writing about animal rescue. I've never worked in an animal hospital or shelter, but I have some experience rescuing strays. Here is one story of how my family saved a dog.

 When I was a kid, my grandmother worked in home nursing. She would go to people's homes, help them get better, and sometimes even befriend their family. She had one particular family that she loved. They were an elder couple. Both had been doctors when they were younger, but now illness and old age had gotten the better of them. At first, only the husband was my grandma's patient. She would check his blood pressure and temperature, and then chat with his wife for hours before moving on to her next family. This family had a little white poodle that was like a child to them. 

As the years went on, the husband grew sicker, and the wife eventually took ill. Once the husband died, the couple's youngest daughter took the mother to live with her. My grandma would still do her home visits with the wife, but she noticed that the beloved family dog didn't seem so beloved anymore. She asked the daughter, who confessed to only keeping the dog for her mother's sake, and when the old woman died a few months later, the daughter told my grandma that now she intended to take the dog to a forest and let him get eaten by wolves. 

The dog was already old and halfway blind, and it broke my grandma's heart to learn of this animal's fate. He wouldn't survive in the woods. All it took was one phone call and my mom agreed to take the dog. My family rescued that poor poodle, giving him a warm bed to sleep in, and a few good years of his life before he had to be put down from old age. 

You see, animals are important to me, so if you are as much of an animal lover as I am, you will enjoy my new book, Rescued Love.

Here is the blurb: 

Can the doctor, who made a life out of helping animals, heal a human?

One by one, household dogs disappear only to come back after senseless abuse. Veterinarian Jordan Powell will stop at nothing to ensure her patients' safety. Even if that means seeking help from ex-boyfriend, police officer Nate Thrillson, the man whose heart she once broke.

The last thing Nate wants is a relationship. He has an inoperable cancerous tumor in his brain and his days are numbered. Yet, he couldn't resist Jordan.

It's a race against time to save the dogs and the man who captured her heart. Can the doctor, who made a life out of helping animals, heal a human?

Buy the book Here: http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&products_id=297

Learn more about Angelina Rain: www.angelina-rain.com

Book Spotlight-Blessed Homecoming by Lorraine Nelson

The hometown girl and the handyman both carry emotional baggage. Are they destined to remain friends or is there room in their hearts for more?

***

Wendy Danforth is preparing to be a single mom, her ex-husband in jail for spousal abuse.  She returns to her hometown, to renew her faith and to heal. Caught off guard by the handyman in residence, attraction hits, swift and piercing, but she quells her unruly emotions, in no hurry to get involved in another relationship. Besides, at almost nine months pregnant, she wasn’t exactly looking her best.

Jake Roberts, hired to renovate the Danforths’ house, took one look at his employer’s daughter and wanted to run far and fast. He hadn’t possessed an ounce of faith or been around a pregnant woman in three long years, not since his wife and unborn son died in an auto accident.  They become friends, and when her ex-husband escapes custody, he steps up to protect Wendy and her unborn child. Will the danger and close proximity test their friendship? Or will it lead to more? Can Jake regain his lost faith, or will it elude him forever?

Blessed Homecoming - Excerpt

Jake found it hard to believe what he'd overheard, what that sweet, caring woman had endured at the hands of a man who had vowed to cherish and protect her. He'd been heading down to retrieve a package of wood screws when he heard Wendy crying and didn't want to interrupt. He didn't want to eavesdrop either, but her pain-wracked voice kept him an unwilling captive as she relayed events.

Broken bones, cracked ribs, dislocated shoulder and bruising over seventy-five per cent of her body. Then to heal and find out she was pregnant! Why would she be so happy about having that man's baby? Surely, she couldn't still love him after all that.

Hearing her speak of her faith in the midst of all that suffering struck a rusty chord inside his gut. Somehow, deep down, her quiet acceptance and determination spoke to him in ways that expensive therapy had not. She was a survivor, he'd give her that, but if her friend hadn't found her—no, he wouldn't go there. He couldn't. Divine intervention, she'd called it. He called it lucky.

She'd come home to heal and build a new life for herself and the baby. Surrounded by family and friends, she'd never have to fear for her life again. Although he'd barely known her twenty-four hours and had a definite aversion to getting involved in her problems, he'd do what he could to help her adjust to living in a small town again. If the gossips wanted to pair them off, so be it. He'd been through worse—much worse.

He sat on the step with his head in his hands, undecided whether to let her know he'd overheard or pretend ignorance. How could he ignore the pain she'd suffered? More surprisingly, he realized he wanted to be there for her, to prove that not every man was prone to acts of violence. Although, like her father, he'd had some thoughts on what he'd like to do to her ex if he ever had the chance.

She took the matter out of his hands when she sat a couple steps below him and, placing a hand on his knee, asked, "How much did you hear?"

His head jerked up and he searched her eyes, expecting to see anger and disgust at his audacity, but there was none. "Pretty much all of it. I'm sorry, Wendy. I didn't intend to eavesdrop, but I didn't want to barge in on you either."

"Are you all right?"

"You're asking me? After all you've suffered, I should be asking you that question."

"My suffering ended the day he was found guilty. All that's left now is the sentencing in two weeks' time and I don't need to be there for that."

"But you're expecting his child. How is that not suffering, considering what he put you through?"

"Every life is a gift from God. I don't always understand His methods, but at least I have one good thing resulting from a failed marriage."

"Did you love him that much?"

"At first, yes, very much. He was the man I'd always dreamed about, kind, caring and it didn't hurt that he was gorgeous to boot." She smiled at the memory, then sobered. "The love died a slow death when the abuse started. He always made me feel like it was my fault, until the day I ended up in the hospital with a broken arm and didn't go back. I realized then my dreams of a happy ever after were never going to happen."

"What did you do? Where did you go?"

"A social worker at the hospital made a couple of calls and arranged a bed in a shelter for abused women. My arm being broken meant I couldn't work for a couple weeks, but when I returned, I found out from my boss, Emma, that he'd been haunting the place, waiting for me to show up. She'd had to call the police on a couple of occasions.

She became my best friend. Emma encouraged me to lay charges and file a restraining order against him, which I did. I also filed for divorce. He didn't show up in court, didn't contest it, so the judge granted the petition based on the abuse."

"I would think so," he huffed in agreement.

"I saw Clyde around from time to time after that, and he never made any effort to approach me, for which I was thankful. But the night before the divorce became final, he showed up after I got home from work. The rest, as they say, is history."

"Can you really put it all behind you that easily?"

"Believe me, Jake, it hasn't been easy. Easy started yesterday when Mama met me at the bus stop with her arms wide open. Until then, I'd hoped, but wasn't at all certain of my welcome, circumstances being what they are."

He placed a hand over hers where it still rested on his knee. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you're here. You are one remarkably strong lady and I'm honored to be your friend."

"My faith is what's strong. I had to believe the Lord has a purpose for me in this life. That's when I decided it was time to come home. I'd been away too long." She gently disentangled her hand and rose to her feet, slightly wobbly at first, causing him to reach out and grab her upper arms to steady her. "Thank you."

Thank you for helping me celebrate this new release. Please follow along on my blog tour and comment daily for several chances to win a free download of Blessed Homecoming. Remember to leave your email address so I can reach you. :) Winner to be announced on July 31st.

I so love hearing from my readers! It’s important to know what works and doesn’t work for them as I continue to craft stories of love and mystery. You can find me at:

http://www.lorrainenelson.weebly.com

http://www.lorrainenelson.wordpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/LorraineNelson.Author

http://twitter.com/#!/lornelca

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5254629.Lorraine_Nelson

http://www.amazon.com/Lorraine-Nelson/e/B005XMAYFQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Purchase Link:
http://www.breathlesspress.com/blessed-homecoming

My Favorite Story

Every writer has a favorite story that they've written, I'm no different. Next week it will probably be different, but for this week, with the heat index rising I thought I'd give my love at first sight romance a little love.

Oh I know some of jaded. I mean who does that nowadays. Love at first sight is the stuff of movies, legends, or romance novels. Yeah, well I'm a simple kind of woman. I've experienced love at first sight and it's the most intoxicating, rollercoaster ride of emotions one could ever experience.

So here goes.

Five days, three rules, and one sizzling seduction.

Blurb

Delia has just three rules for dating. First, a man should never assume he’s the only one. Second, he must stick to his scheduled day and time. Third—and most important—no sex. Enforcing the rules has never been a problem until she meets the hottie from the pool. 

Jace has only five days to make every moment count. The more time he spends with Delia, the more he realizes she may be The One. With the clock ticking, he realizes there is only one course of action left to take if he wants Delia’s heart. Can he convince Delia that rules are meant to be broken?

Excerpt

Jace stepped back and Delia entered the room. Heavy drapes hung behind the soft candlelight, giving the cabin an intimate glow. The desk held a bucket of ice, the neck of a dark green wine bottle visible above the edge. But what caused butterfly wings to take flight in her stomach was the large bed. Pink and purple orchid petals lay scattered across the white satin spread. Maybe he was thinking about it too.

Delia glanced over her shoulder, smiling softly as he closed the door. “You’re expecting someone. Maybe I should come back later.”

Jace chuckled, stroking her arm, and goose bumps raced across her skin. “Then I would be disappointed.”

 “I’m sure you would.” She listened to the music a moment. “I never would have pegged you for a Rihanna fan. You seem more old school. Barry White, Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers, that sort of thing.”

He shrugged. “On occasion.” Crossing the room he poured them each a glass of wine.

Delia sighed. The man had the greatest butt she’d ever seen. The firm, high backside begged her fingers to squeeze his luscious ass.

“I thought we would have something to drink before we went to the show,” he said, offering her a glass.

She accepted, their fingers brushing. Sparks arced between them. Lifting her gaze to his, she smiled. “If I didn’t know better, I would say you were trying to take advantage of me.” 

 “Never.”

Delia sipped her wine. “Low lighting, wine, music?” She raised an eyebrow. “You’re planning to make a move.”

 “Hmmm. That’s the problem with your rules, Delia. They don’t leave room for romance.”

 “Romance?”

He nodded. “The one thing I’m trying to achieve here.” He set down his wine and approached her. “The thing that brings a warm smile to your eyes and keeps you slightly off-balance. The thing that excites you, makes you want to know what else I may have in store for you.”

She gasped in surprise. “You can’t possibly know how I feel.”

 “Why not?”

 “You haven’t known me that long.”

He smiled. “It’s the simple things, Delia. When you talk, I listen.” He walked to the table, picked up a small package and offered it to her. “This is for you.” He retrieved his glass and sipped the wine, studying her over the rim. He smiled softly when she shivered under his scrutiny.

Delia turned the package over in her hands before tearing off the wrapping. She lifted the lid to find a bottle of perfume and the shawl she admired the day before, in Cozumel. She fingered the little vial, then the beads on the shawl, speechless. Jace had listened to her.

 “When did you get this?”

He smiled. “While you were looking for something for your friends.”

She walked over and hugged him. “Thank you.”

He held her against him. “My pleasure.”

She stepped away, and his arms tightened a moment before resting his hands on her waist. Her heart pounded in her chest. He was getting too close, and yet... She lifted a hand and brushed her fingertips across his lip.

 “You have an amazing mouth.”

His eyes darkened with desire and his hands tightened at her waist. “So do you.”

Their relationship was getting serious, not at all as platonic as she wanted their attraction to be. But two more days with Jace and it wouldn’t matter how well he knew her. Right now, the only thing that mattered was his sex appeal, and the giddy pounding of her heart. Besides, rules were made to be broken.

She rose on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his, her palms resting on his hard chest. When he tangled one large hand in her hair and drew her against the heat of his body with the other, she sighed.

Buy Links

Amazon

Breathless

I hope you enjoyed the excerpt an as always, Indulge Your Inner Romantic.

Her Unlikely Bodyguard

A stalker who wants revenge…a past flame rekindled…Jemma Leigh's summer just got interesting.

***

Jemma Leigh Harding has drawn the attention of an unknown stalker and returns to her hometown of Somerville, a safe haven—or so she thinks—on the east coast of Canada.

Theodore Garrity is the last person she expects to see, considering how easily he walked away from her after graduation to join the army.

Their past history involves secrets Jemma Leigh is hesitant to share. When it becomes clear the stalker has followed her home, Teddy becomes her unlikely bodyguard. Will the terror and past hurts separate them forever? Or will love blaze a fresh path for their future?

Jemma Leigh returned to her research and left the men in the kitchen. A short while later, she heard careful footfalls as Ted made his way up the stairs to join her. "You finished with guard duty for now?"

"Could be that I came up here to do some hands-on bodyguard work."

"Oooh, I'm liking the sound of that, Teddy Bear." She loved it when they bantered back and forth like this, sexual innuendos abounding.

"And I'm becoming addicted to your charms, Jemma Love."

"Addicted speaks of something you crave over and over again. I'm loving the sound of that. Well, let's see about putting a little of my charm to work, shall we?" she suggested as she rose and went to meet him where he stood just inside the door.

"This is madness," he said between hot, smothering, impassioned kisses. "We should have our ever-lovin' heads examined."

"Later. We have more pressing issues right now," she declared as she pressed herself against him, the ridge of his erection pushing into the soft, tender skin of her belly. Standing back out of the way, she could see his shaft straining the seams of his jeans as it grew hard and ready for her.

"Too many clothes," he announced as he danced her inside then closed and locked the door.

As the lock snicked into place, Jemma Leigh started to undo her blouse, but his hands stilled hers as he requested, "Let me."

Every button released meant the slightest touch of his fingers as they brushed against her skin. Oh, sweet torment! His hands glided sensuously over her upper body as he guided the blouse over her shoulders and down her arms, letting it tangle at the cuffs, effectively trapping her hands behind her as his gaze continued a slow, carnal investigation of its own. Bypassing her bra, he swept his hands over her curves to rest at the juncture of her thighs. He grabbed her mound through her jeans and rubbed, gently at first, then harder, and harder still, until she was twisting and moaning, grinding her pelvis against the pressure of his hand, seeking some relief from the erotic torture he'd created.

Suddenly, he withdrew his hand, causing her to whimper in protest at being denied such pleasant sensations. Then she felt his hands at her waist, undoing the fastenings of her jeans, sliding inside to caress her hips as he worked the fabric down over her curves, baring all except the brief patch of curls hiding her pussy from view.

Running a finger along the inside edge of her thong while the other hand teased the valley between her butt cheeks, he had her body humming at a fevered pitch. Then her eyes shot open as he left her standing there, semi-nude and bereft of his touch, but he'd only put enough space between them to rid himself of his clothes, watching her all the while with an intensity that caused his eyes to resemble rich, malted chocolate.

He stood proud and erect in all his manly glory, and she couldn't take her eyes off him as he strode to the bed, pulling back the covers before returning for her. He swept away the rest of her clothing as he kissed her senseless. Then he picked her up and cradled her in his arms to carry her across the room, laying her down gently before lowering his body to rest beside her.

"You know, this is only the second time we've made love in a bed," he stated as he lay on his side facing her, his head propped on one hand while the other rested leisurely at her waist.

"Yes, I'm well aware of that, so let's get on with it," she teased. Taking his hand and moving it to her breast, she thrilled to his touch as he rubbed and massaged first one, then the other. She delighted in his sudden gasp as she took him firmly in hand to stroke the solid length of him.

Also:

Purchase Links:

http://www.breathlesspress.com/her-unlikely-bodyguard

 

http://www.amazon.com/Her-Unlikely-Bodyguard-ebook/dp/B008BT2YXS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339957369&sr=1-1&keywords=her+unlikely+bodyguard

 

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-herunlikelybodyguard-830483-149.html

 

http://www.bookstrand.com/her-unlikely-bodyguard

 

I love hearing from my readers! It’s important to know what works and doesn’t work for them as I continue to craft stories of love and mystery. You can find me at:

http://www.lorrainenelson.weebly.com
http://www.lorrainenelson.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/LorraineNelson.Author
http://twitter.com/#!/lornelca
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5254629.Lorraine_Nelson
http://www.amazon.com/Lorraine-Nelson/e/B005XMAYFQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1


Thank you for having me here today, Lynn. It’s been fun.

One lucky commenter will receive a free download of Her Unlikely Bodyguard at the end of the blog tour. Winner to be announced on June 30^th. So leave your comments and/or questions and I’ll do my best to answer. :)

Lynn Takes the Cake

Shelton taps on the door and Nevil shoulders him out of the way and pounds on it until it opens.

“Nevil, behave… HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LYNN!”

 Shelton steps quickly inside and gives Lynn a big hug. He pulls Nevil to his side. “Lynn, this is my boyfriend, Nevil. I didn’t think you’d mind if I brought him along. He wanted to meet you.”

Nevil picks up Lynn’s hand and smiles into her eye. A rakish grin crosses his face. “Enchanted. Happy Birthday, love.”

Shelton lifts the bag he’s carrying. “Thought we’d make a cake today, to celebrate. Nevil says I’m being silly, since you have a degree in the Culinary Arts, but hey, who doesn’t like cake?” Hearing voices, he glances into the next room. “Oh, good. People are already here. Hi everyone!”

He joins the others and sets the bag on the table, moving books aside. “Nevil, can you help me with this?” He takes a Betty Crocker ‘Easy Bake Oven’ out of the bag. “Didn’t think you had a kitchen here,” he explains, smiling as he searches Lynn’s delightful blog. “Where can I plug this in?”

Shelton lines up the ingredients for the cake. “Hope you like chocolate chips!”

Chocolate Chip Cake

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

“If this was reality, we’d heat the oven to 350 degrees F.” Shelton fiddles with the ‘Easy Bake Oven’ then starts to mix the dry ingredients together. “Nevil, can you…Nevil?”

“Over here!” Nevil waves from the bookshelf. “Have you seen Lynn’s books? ‘Seducing His Wife’ and ‘Decadent Seconds’. Oh, and ‘Breaking Delia’s Rules’. This one says something about a ‘hottie from the pool’. Got to look into this one!”

“Definitely,” Shelton agrees. “But for right now, can you cream the butter and all that together? What else…”

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter, sugar and eggs (add the eggs in one at a time, beating after each addition).

4. Add sour cream and vanilla to the creamed mixture, mix well.

5. Slowly add flour mixture to the creamed mixture, mix thoroughly.

6. In another bowl mix the chopped nuts, chocolate chips, brown sugar and cinnamon.

7. Grease a tube pan (angel food cake pan).

8. Pour 1/2 the batter in the pan then sprinkle on 1/2 the chocolate chip mixture.

9. Add the remainder of the batter, then sprinkle the remainder of the chocolate chip nut mix on top.

10. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees F.

Nevil looks at the eggs Shelton hands him and Shelton takes a step back at the wicked gleam in his sapphire eyes. “None of that! Lynn wouldn’t like a food fight…” He picks up a cup of flour and holds it threateningly. “Stay back or this goes right in your hair…”

“Okay! I’ll be good.” Nevil chuckles and pulls a bowl closer for the eggs. He nudges Shelton’s shoulder as Shelton returns to his side. “But only until we get home,” he purrs and nips Shelton’s bottom lip.

“Um… Just mix the ingredients,” Shelton mutters, flustered. They mix and stir and soon have the ingredients combined. Shelton slides the cake into the oven and sets the timer. “There! Now we have plenty of time to look over Lynn’s bookshelves. In the meantime, here’s an excerpt from our own book ‘Shelton’s Choice’.” 

“As a birthday gift, Nevil and I would like to give away a PDF copy of ‘Shelton’s Choice’ to a commenter who tells us what their favourite cake is.”

Happy Birthday!

Shelton’s Choice

Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.com/sheltons-choice

Amazon: http://amzn.to/rNomv9

After a year of bliss with Nevil, Shelton is offered the promotion he's been working toward at the bank. Unfortunately the new position is in another state, and Nevil doesn't want to move. As tension mounts between them, Shelton is given another challenge in the form of a besotted coworker. Torn between the pressures at work and at home, Shelton has to choose his future. That is, until Nevil takes the decision out of his hands.

Excerpt:

"Have you told him yet?"

"Hmm?" Shelton murmured, reluctant to put down the book he was reading. Only a few pages remained to the thriller, and he still hadn't a clue as to who the killer would turn out to be.

"Have you told your tall, dark, and wickedly handsome boyfriend that you're leaving?"

Shelton shot the man at his elbow an irritated glance. "What do you want, Ted?" He noticed the coffee shop was filling up and hoped his coworker wouldn't take the vacant chair at his table. Ted Pringle was personable enough, even attractive in a light blond, pansy, blue-eyed way. He was also a gossip, though, and lived to stir up trouble in and out of the office.

Ted threw his hands up. "Hey, I was only asking! We go in a few months, and—"

"Leave me alone." Shelton turned back to the book and skimmed the page to find his place. Ted touched his arm, and Shelton spun on him but swallowed his angry words. Ted's attention wasn't on him. The man looked across the room, a smile of triumph on his lips.

Shelton followed his gaze, and his heart jumped then settled into a delighted patter. Nevil stood in the doorway of the coffee shop, scanning the tables with his beautiful turquoise eyes. Wickedly handsome? Damn right he was. Even after a year together, Nevil's smile still had the power to melt his bones and leave him weak with want.

He waved the book when Nevil spotted him. A curious look passed over Nevil's face as he approached the table, and Shelton remembered Ted's hand on his arm. He pulled free, and Ted chuckled, his breath warm in Shelton's ear when he bent down and whispered, "Don't forget to tell him."

Shelton growled, then forgot all about Ted as Nevil, his eyes dancing with mischief, stopped at the table.

"What are you doing here? Sit down," Shelton babbled, feeling the warmth of a blush on his cheeks as Nevil glanced at Ted's retreating back.

"Okay, but only for a minute. I have a surprise for you, and I've already wasted enough time finding you. Off work early?" Nevil took the empty chair at Shelton's nod and leaned across the table. A teasing smile covered his face. "I may have to blindfold you."

Heat swept through Shelton at the ardent look in Nevil's eyes. God, he wanted Nevil to take him right there at the table. He agonized under the constraint of public opinion that kept him from kissing Nevil's smiling lips.

Nevil settled back into his chair. "Who was that?" he asked, nodding toward the crowd at the coffee bar.

"Just that annoying prick from Accounts I told you about."

"Gossiping Ted? What did he say? I wanted to smack his pretty face for standing so close to you."

"I'm sure he wanted to make you jealous, as if he ever could. So, about this blindfold..."

Nevil smiled and licked his lips, his look provocative. "You'll see," he teased and rose to his feet. "Come on, love, before I change my mind."

Feel free to contact me any time!

Dianne Hartsock

Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

FB: http://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock

Skinny Dipping

Have you ever gone skinny dipping? Perhaps my favorite scene that I got to write in Getting Ahead is one where Amber and Colton wind up skinny dipping in a river while out on a ride. Neither of them brought anything with them, so they are forced to either sit in the heat and watch the cool water or strip down and get in. Colt has no problem with the choice, but Amber is little more conservative and struggles with baring herself. 

I'll be the first to admit that I've actually gone skinny dipping. Twice actually. The first time when I was in high school and on a trip to Greece with a bunch of classmates. We found ourselves alone on a beach around the Mediterranean late at night, and, well, found that we needed to take a quick swim. Fortunately, we didn't get caught by any random visitors or the instructors who were in charge of us (imagine that phone call home). 

The second time, I was in South Africa with friends and a group of us chose to head out into the Indian Ocean late at night in nothing but our birthday suits. Here's where I'm going to warn you against such shenanigans. If you are going to go skinny dipping with friends, make sure everyone is either in or out. Half of us stripped our clothes off on the beach and ran into the water with no hesitation. When we returned, we found that our clothing had disappeared and the rest of our friends were waiting with cameras. Though our chaperones insisted that all photographic evidence be deleted, I still think there are likely a couple pictures of me standing on the beach trying to cover myself floating around the internet (no points for finding them). I'm just grateful that most people didn't own a digital camera at this point. 

Have you ever been skinny dipping? Did it end well?

Getting Ahead Blurb:

Colton is exactly the kind of distraction Amber doesn't want, but he might be exactly what she needs to get back on track.

Recovering from a bad fall during competition, Amber McDonald decides to spend her last week of training before her next rodeo at a Colorado ranch, away from any and all distractions. It'd be the perfect arrangement—if only her fear wasn't stopping her from getting back on her horse.

Then Colt Riley steps in. He's sexy and seems to have incredible insight into her situation, but he's everything she's been trying to stay away from.

Colt knows exactly what Amber is going through...because he's been there before. Forced to give up his riding career after an accident, he sets his mind to helping her get back on track. All that's easier said than done, especially when she discovers his hidden past. Will his efforts be enough to help her get ahead?

Buy Links:

Publisher: http://www.breathlesspress.com/getting-ahead

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B25V7M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwbreathless-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007B25V7M

All Romance ebooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-gettingahead-728018-340.html

Author Bio:

Emily Cale spent the majority of her childhood as a visitor to the worlds of her favorite authors. With encouragement from her English teachers, she put pen to paper and began imagining her own stories. Preferring the fascinating lives of her characters, she majored in creative writing. When not lost in a manuscript or a good book, she enjoys crocheting, rock climbing, and playing board games. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and a very spoiled cat.

You can find Emily online on her blog (http://www.emilycale.blogspot.com) or on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/emilycale.