Please accept my apologies for missing this afternoon's blog. I was stuck out at the baseball field all day without WiFi access. In fact, if I am not at work or online or reading, I am probably at a baseball field. And who can blame me??? There's something about those long lean bodies and tight pants. So clean cut, but you know they have some power in their guns. Yep. So as my apology, here are a few more images of America's favorite time. (copyright belongs to the owners of the photos, which is not me. But thanks for sharing your photos on the web.)
the best part of baseball is the PANTS
Are we friends again???
Let's get back to the 2nd Anniversary Bash with donations from 40 authors into the giveaway!
I wanted to talk to you about the great friends you make blogging. Whether it's hanging out on FB together or crawling the pubs of New Orleans together, GREAT friendships emerge.
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One of the first "blog" friendships we built was with Lisa Renee Jones. We met her through out Goodreads group when she was promoting her Indie pubbed If I Were You. We've watched this wonderful mystery/erotica romance get picked up by a major publisher, grow into an extended Inside Out series, and then the series picked up by STARZ and TEAM TODD for a movie. We are so happy for Lisa and love to brag about her as much as we can. She is giving away a Tote bag and a print copy of Hot Secrets, the 1st book of her sexy Tall, Dark, and Deadly series.
Here's the Inside Out reading order {Hint Hint}
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Here is an excerpt from the upcoming release No In Between.
Releasing: August 19th
Buy
links:
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1mxOep0 B&N - http://bit.ly/M9P3Zq
Blurb:
The fourth in the
Inside Out erotic romance series by New York Times bestselling author Lisa
Renee Jones, this steamy novel resolves Chris and Sara's relationship and leads
into Mark's story.
"Chris and I have
faced our demons and bared our souls to one another in Paris. Now that we are
back home in San Francisco, I want to believe that nothing can tear us apart.
Not Ava’s accusations against me to the police, or Chris's fear that he will
destroy me as he feels he did Amber. And not Mark, who was once too intimately
a part of our lives, and who I can see crumbling inside out. He believes he is
invincible, just as I want to believe Chris and I are invincible. We have to be
invincible. We need each other too much for any other ending."
Excerpt:
Chris and I chat with
Marco as we collect our jackets, and the way Chris finds every opportunity to
touch me makes me smile in ways that reach beyond the laughter his and Marco’s
easy rapport sparks in me.When we finally step out into the chilly evening air,
it’s hand in hand, an erotic charge in the connection of our skin, even in the
air we breathe. But he doesn’t speak and he’s stopped looking at me and I know
why.This is part of the anticipation of what comes next. He’s promised
punishment. He will punish me. And
just as he’d predicted, I crave the answer to what comes next. And while I
normally welcome the sight of Jacob in our lobby, tonight I’m pleased to find
his replacement is satisfied with a lift of our hands in greeting.
Once we’re in the
elevator, Chris surprises me by letting go of me, punching in our floor, and
then leaning on the wall. I take his lead and lean on the opposite wall. “You
were late,” he reminds me.“You know what that means.”
“Yes.You told me.”
“What did I say?”
“That you’re going to
punish me.”
“How?”
“Spank me again.”
“Yes,” he agrees. “I
am.” But there is something about the way he says it that tells me this is not
going to be “just” a spanking, if there is such a thing. It’s going to be more.
It’s going to push my limits.
The doors slide open to
reveal our apartment and Chris punches the button to hold it open, but his eyes
stay on me. “Go into the living room and undress, and then sit on the couch.”
My lips part at the
surprising command.“You want me to—”
“Yes,” he says, his
tone firm.“I do.”
“And so I will,” I say.
“And you know why?” I move across
the elevator and slip
my hands under his jacket to rest on the hard wall of his chest.“Because it’s
not a lack of trust that I have in you, and that you think you see in me,
Chris. It’s your lack of trust in you
that scares me.” I start to pull away, but his fingers twine in my hair and he
kisses me, deeply, possessively, so damn thoroughly that I’m reeling when it’s
over.
“Go undress,” he
orders, saying nothing in reply to my confession, and making none of his own.
I want to push him for something
in reply, anything really, but the elevator isn’t the place. I zip out of the
doorway and all but run through the foyer and down the stairs. I begin undress-
ing, the moonlight and stars filtering through the floor-to-ceil- ing windows,
casting the room and me in a soft glow. Stealing a sideways look, hoping to
catch a glimpse of Chris, I do not see him, but music begins to play and I
recognize the song as “Madness” by Muse. Aware that Chris makes every choice
with a purpose, I listen to the words.
I,
I can’t get these memories out of my mind. And some kind of madness has started
to evolve. Mmmm.And I, I tried so hard to let you go.
Swallowing hard, I know
he’s connecting the meaning of this song to the war he rages daily against his
inner demons, and to his fight to protect me from the person he believes they
make him.
More of the words
repeat into my mind. And Now I need to
know is this real love, or is it just madness keeping us afloat. He’s
telling me he’s afraid I won’t love him if I fully know him. It’s always there
between us. He’s fighting it now for me, and for us, and it matters. It matters
so very much.
I finish undressing,
and then claim a spot in the center of the brown leather couch. Before me is a
sea of stars dotting the black canvas of the sky, and I am reminded of the
first night I’d come here, when I’d been enamored with the brilliant artist,
unwilling to see him as more.We’ve come so far since then, and yet I feel as if
we still have barriers to hurdle.And I want them hurdled.
There’s a tingling to
my skin a moment before Chris, wearing only his low-slung jeans, appears to my
right, and I feel that familiar punch of awareness. It burns and spreads, like
warm honey in my blood, between my thighs. He affects me in ways I didn’t know
another human being could affect another, and in this moment, in this instant
where I feel beyond my body, nestled deep in my soul, I know he was right in
that bathroom tonight. It terrifies me to think of how deeply him leaving again
would cut me. But I also know I’ve made the decision to take that risk.
He walks to the coffee
table and pulls it back several feet, giving us space for what I’m certain will
be wicked torture. I see it in his eyes as he steps closer and does a sweeping,
seductive inspection of my naked body; my gaze lands on the rectangular box
he’s holding. He goes down on one knee in front of me and he sets the box on my
legs. And while I know our games, and I know not to touch it as surely as I
know not to touch him, I still have to curl my fingers around the leather seam
of the couch to stop myself.
“Open the box,” he
orders, and his eyes hold the dominance I’d seen in that bathroom mirror before
he’d spanked me. But there’s a hint of something more, something that reminds
me of the vulnerability I’d seen in him last night. He’s opened himself for me
to see this, and it’s this willingness to give himself to me that spreads hope
over my fears.
I reach for the box and
my hand trembles with the rush of adrenaline and anticipation pumping through
my body. He seems to understand, taking the lid from me and setting it aside.
And then I just sit there, staring down at the pink, fluffy paddle inside.
WEEKEND SURRENDER EXCERPT
Rachel
backed her truck into a small parking stall at the back edge of the lot, right
next to a black Dodge Ram Quad Cab that looked like it had rolled off the lot
and onto the ranch just a few hours ago.
Realizing she had parked rather close to the truck, she carefully opened
her door, and slipped out into the small space.
A large
masculine hand covered hers, where it rested on the top edge of her truck door,
and she gasped.
“Sunshine,
if you nick my new truck with your door, I’m going to have to spank that cute
little ass raw.” The voice in her ear
sent a shiver over her skin, and she flushed at his words.
She turned
her head to see who was behind her that would have any right to speak to her
like that, and she nearly groaned out loud when her brown eyes met those of
Parker Brooks. Parker Brooks was one of
the four Brooks brothers who owned Brooks Pastures-a local cattle ranch. The four brothers shared two things in common,
their love of ranching, and their smoking hot good looks. Dark hair, dark eyes, long lean muscular
cowboy bodies, all tucked up under a cowboy hat. It made Rachel’s blood sing just thinking
about the four of them.
Holding
her breath she dropped her gaze from his dark eyes down to his sexy mouth, and
she felt her own tongue dart out to wet her lips unconsciously. His raised eyebrow told her that he noticed,
and she shook her head slightly to clear her lust fogged brain.
“I’m
sorry, Parker. I did park a little close
there, but no worries, I was careful,” she said with a smile she hoped would
distract him from the increase in her breathing, and the rise and fall of her
breasts.
It clearly
didn’t work, because his eyes shifted from her lips directly down the front of
her shirt, and then they dragged lower.
His gaze drifted from her golden colored abs, down to her booted feet,
and then he reached out and tugged her hand free of the truck door. Surprised, she followed his lead when he
turned her around so her back was to him again.
A long, low whistle had goose bumps forming on her arms, but the finger
stroking over her tattoo in the small of her back was what had her creaming her
panties.
“Holy
shit, sunshine. Who let you out of the
house dressed like that?” he asked in a gravelly rough voice that nearly
knocked Rachel’s knees out from underneath her.
The
meaning of his question sunk in, and her irritation overcame her libido. “Last I looked in the mirror I was a grown
woman, cowboy. I don’t need anyone’s
permission or approval of my wardrobe.”
Parker let
her go when she tugged her hand out of his.
She slammed her truck door and started to move out from between the two
vehicles. “You might be grown up, but
wearing a skirt like that is asking for trouble.”
She paused
and looked back over her shoulder.
“Maybe that’s exactly what I wanted,” she said with a shrug of her
shoulders.
His slow,
sexy smile made her mouth go dry, and she swallowed hard. “If you want trouble, little girl, all you
need to do is ask.”
Trying to
cover up her nerves at his deliberately seductive invitation, she snorted out a
laugh, “If I decide I want your kind of trouble, I won’t need to ask.” Tossing her hair back over her shoulder, she
headed for the door of the bar.
Before she
could pull it open, a large hand reached around her for the door handle, and
another equally large hand settled on her hip.
Whipping her head violently, ready to give Parker Brooks a piece of her
mind, she froze in place when it was his brother, Hudson’s face only inches
from hers.
“Hey,
honey,” he said with a quick smile, and a wink, “Let me get the door for you.”
“Thanks,
Hudson,” she responded, sighing with relief that that was all he said. She wanted a wild fling, but the Brooks
brothers were out of her league for multiple reasons.
They were
all at least ten years older than her twenty-four years, and they were all
wickedly sexy men. The rumors around
town were the four brothers shared their women, and right at this moment,
looking into Hudson’s heated cocoa-colored gaze, she would have believed
it. She had an inkling he had heard her
interaction with Parker, but she wasn’t going to tempt fate by asking.
Instead
she tipped her chin up and turned back to the door, only to realize that it
wasn’t Hudson’s hand on her. Sawyer
Brooks stood on her other side with his hand resting lightly on the curve of
her hip, and the rest of his body leaning nonchalantly against the door jam.
“Rachel,”
he said softly, and her pulse took off racing.
Okay, the idea of having a sexy one-night stand had merit, but now that
she was surrounded by large muscular men, she wasn’t so sure she could go
through with the reality. “No need to
rush off. How are you tonight?”
Blinking
in surprise, she answered automatically in a snotty tone, “I’m
fan-fuckin-tastic, Sawyer, thank you for asking.”
His eyes
darkened with irritation, and his lip curled up in a grimace. “Don’t use language like that, you’re a lady,
and ladies shouldn’t curse.”
Rachel
couldn’t help it. She burst into a roar
of laughter. Not giggles, or chuckles,
but large loud belly laughs. “Are you
kidding me? Sawyer Brooks, I have seen
you compete in the local rodeo, and heard the nastiness that spews from those
luscious lips. Do you really think you
can tell me not to curse?”
Sawyer
focused in on the one phrase from her whole little speech that he liked,
“Luscious lips, huh?” Those sexy lips
curved up into an equally sinful smile that had her pussy tightening, and her
thighs clenching.
She forced
herself to roll her eyes, even as a blush covered her cheeks. “Whatever.
I’m going inside to get a drink, dance a little, and maybe play some
pool. Excuse me, gentlemen.” She reached again for the door handle, only
to have a new set of hands settle on her shoulders and tug her backwards until
she stumbled. Instead of falling on her
ass though, her plump butt cheeks settled against the rough denim of a man’s
Levi’s, and a heavy arm banded under her ribs holding her upright.
“Apologize,
Rachel, you were rude to Sawyer, and he was just trying to teach you a few
manners,” Parker’s voice rumbled against her ear, and she bit her tongue hard
to swallow her moan of lust.
“No. Let me go, Parker, this isn’t funny,” she
ground out, and she began to struggle to get out of Parker’s strong grip.
“Stop
it. You’ll end up hurting yourself. Now, Sawyer and Hudson deserve a sincere
apology, and then I want an explanation as to what you’re doing at Robin’s
dressed like a two bit hooker on fight night?”
Ice coated his words, and she stilled in his arms. A wave of hurt and embarrassment went through
her. Did she really look so bad? She had put on the clothes that made her feel
the sexiest.
“I
apologize if I’ve offended anyone, but I have plans inside the bar that include
a bottle of tequila, and a few spins around the dance floor. You are currently delaying my plans. I have no intention of prostituting myself,
because I’ve never in my life felt the need to ask a man for sex. I’m dressed in clothing I picked out, and
like. I don’t personally give a damn if
you approve or not, Mr. Brooks.” She focused all of her anger on her words,
and when he finally released her she sighed heavily, “Thank you. Have a lovely evening, gentlemen.”
Hudson
tugged the door open, and Sawyer stepped back from the doorway allowing her to
saunter past him. Once she was safely in
the bar, she let out a heavy, shaky breath and made her way across the room
directly into the bathroom to settle her nerves. It might take more than a drink or two to
wipe the Brooks brothers from her fantasies tonight.
WATCHING SIN EXCERPT
The
brush of a hand over his shoulder drew his attention, and he instantly
understood. The man standing at his elbow was his best friend, and business
partner, Killian. In his black and white tuxedo he looked more like a Hollywood
movie star walking the red carpet, than a businessman still trying to crack the
million dollar mark.
“Doug,
Alana. How are you both this evening? Enjoying the…festivities I hope.”
Killian
stood too close to Alana for propriety, and yet, Doug wasn’t put off. He was
surprised to find that he wanted to
put on a show for his friend. If Alana was willing to fuck in front of Killian,
what else would she be willing to do with him present? He felt his dick thicken
a little at the image of his wife on her knees sucking Killian’s cock in the
middle of the living room. Never before had he imagined his wife with another
man, but he could picture it with Killian. In his mind’s eye, he could see his
friend’s long lean body, flexing and rippling with desire as his wife sucked
him dry. That would be incredible to watch, and by the look on Alana’s face,
she could picture such an event too. What a surprise this evening was turning
out to be.
“We
are having a wonderful time. These parties are always memorable, Killian.” As
Alana spoke, her eyes drifted over Killian’s six foot tall frame, and back up
to meet his assessing green eyes. When their gazes collided, Doug could almost
see sparks crackling in the air around them, and his cock hardened in his pants
until he had to fidget to give his erection more room. He took the opportunity
before it slipped away, and wrapped his arm around the curve of Alana’s waist,
drawing her even closer between the two men.
“Actually
Killian, Alana was just commenting that she wanted to enjoy the party a little more tonight.”
Doug
watched Killian’s eyes flame at the implication, and his own cock throbbed in
response. Could he actually do this?
Could he fuck around in front of these people? The answering electrical current
that pulsed through his body was all the confirmation he required to know that
he could absolutely do that and more.
Alana’s heavy lidded gaze was a potent aphrodisiac, but when paired with
Killian’s commanding masculinity it made Doug dizzy with need.
Is
there some way I could be of assistance in making all your desires come true,
Alana?” Killian’s silky smooth baritone voice rippled through Doug’s chest, and
he heard Alana’s sharp intake of breath.
Her
eyes darted to meet Doug’s, and he smiled reassuringly at his wife. If they
were going to do this, they were going in with their eyes open. “I believe that she would like you to watch
to begin with.”
Killian
stepped a little closer to the two of them, and lowered his voice, directing
his next question to Alana, “I’ll only ask this once, but I have to ask. Would
you like to stay here, or go into one of the bedrooms where we have more
privacy?”
The
ultimate question in Doug’s mind was, whether or not she actually wanted to put
on a show for the entire bevy of strangers in the room, or just for Killian.
The air around them grew tense, as Alana considered her first foray into
exhibitionism.
“I
believe that I would prefer to throw caution to the wind tonight. Will you help
me?” she said softly, as she stared up into Killian’s face.
“Be
sure, love, exhibitionism is like a drug, and once you begin well…”
Killian’s
words faded off as a blush of pink stained Alana’s pale while skin. She only
hesitated a moment before she gave a short sharp nod and whispered, “I’m sure.”
The
smile that spread across Killian’s face was heart stopping, for Doug, so he
could only imagine how Alana’s body responded.
“I would be honored to watch.”
She stuttered. “Puh, pull,”
“No, not like that. Demand him to do it.” Dane’s voice rose and a new round of heat coated his fingers. “Do it, Reece. You know you want to see him do it. Now make him.”
Lane did want to see Bannock’s cock. She wanted it so badly she found her voice and strength. “Pull out your cock and stroke it, Bannock!”
Dane chuckled softly in her ear. “Good girl.”
Bannock’s expression didn’t change and at first, Lane thought he wasn’t going to do it. Then, his hands slowly worked at the button of his jeans and she cheered inside. He lifted his ass and slid not only his jeans, but his boxers down with one shove. His large cock jutted out and she felt her body respond. She licked her lips as a tremor built. Bannock gripped his shaft and slowly worked from the base to the top. His thumb swept over the tip, gathering his lubricant and rubbing it down his long pole.
“Isn’t that the biggest cock you ever laid eyes on?” Dane asked her and sped up his pace.
“Yes.” She cried out.
“Show him how much you appreciate watching him. Come for him.”
Not Quite Juliet - A steamy Rocker Romance
“Girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend?”
I could almost feel anxiety zip through him. He’d used it without thought; we hadn’t talked about that at all. Not the word, not the concept, not the exclusivity of it. I could clearly see the panic and worry on his face.
“Are you okay with that?” His voice was quiet and unreadable. Oh shit oh shit oh shit.
I walked slowly over to him. His face was blank, and he was waiting for me. I blinked, my heart dancing. Fan girl had passed out and good riddance to the bitch. I nodded carefully, slowly not making a sound. He wrapped his big, warm hand around mine. “I want to know what life can be, When you are standing there with me, Dodging shadows, dodging sun, Hiding in the corners of my life, Until I found you there, until you found me there, You own my soul, you are my breath.”
The words were sultry and his warm chocolate voice did things to all the lady bits in alphabetical order and back again. I swallowed. “You really wrote that for me?”
He nodded, seeming almost nervous about admitting it. “I have never, and I mean never, had a woman inspire me to write anything like it. Sal and Van read it and they couldn’t write the music fast enough.” He ran his thumb over the back of my hand and the smile he gave me melted what was left of me into a wet puddle of femininity. “So, you wanna try this?”
“Hell, yes,” I nodded. “Yes.”
“Good,” he said, wrapping his arms around me. “Because I want to keep writing songs for you.”
“Damn, Nick, you’re gonna make a woman swoon.” I looked up into his sweet brown eyes. “I adore your rocker look.”
He pulled me a little closer. “You know what I want to know?”
I cocked my head. “What’s that?”
“Are your panties soaked?”
Well, shit, if they weren’t a minute ago... I shook my head slowly. “They aren’t.”
“Why not?” Nick looked genuinely concerned.
“Because I’m not wearing any.”
He sucked in a short breath. “All this time, and you didn’t tell me?”
“I like surprising you.”
“Oh, do you?” He turned me around in his arms and pulled me against him. “I like when you surprise me.” He slid his hand to the button of my jeans and before I could protest, the button was open, the zipper was down, and his hand was insinuating itself into the heat that was growing between my legs. “Damn, kitten. You really are commando.” His finger fluttered over the hood of my clit.
“You keep wrecking all of my panties.” I answered after a gush of air leapt out of my lungs. He really did. Either from my reaction to him, or him just ripping them out of the way.
What a magnificent problem to have.
While Nick distracted me with one hand snaking across my sensitive sex, his other hand made its way to my breast and he palmed the lace, catching the nipple in the fabric. I shivered and backed into him, his erection already pressing against me.
“There are cameras.” I let my head loll to the side.
“I don't care.” Nick dropped his lips to my neck.
“I have to.” My words were firm.
“Ah. Your Honor.” He spun me back to him. He sank his lips on to mine, and stroked my tongue with his, demanding more. “There's a changing room over there.” He vaguely gestured over my shoulder. He nibbled lightly, then drew his hand back from my mons, pulling my shirt down at the waist. “Don't button that.”
Mmm, indecent. Nick stepped back and took my hand, leading me over to a door labeled 'Locker'. On the far wall was a curtained changing area, and he led me over, pulling the curtain behind us. “I’ve wanted to do this to you since you walked into rehearsal.”
“Do what?” My hands were already unbuttoning his pants.
“Strip you down and get inside of you.”
His Safe Keeping - Small Town Romance
“Irish?”
Straightening in her seat, looking around and then at him, she gave him a mischievous grin.
“Always heard Irish cops were the sweetest ones of all.”
“Who said I was Irish?”
Looking right into his eyes, she answered his question, “With those beautiful green eyes, you’ve got to have some Irish in you.” Krista made the statement as though it was a simple fact. Then shrugging her shoulders she added, frankly. “Plus, your name is McKaden.” Kade was at a loss for words.
Clearing his throat, he spoke gruffly, “Let’s get you inside.” Leaning in, he scooped her up and out of the car.
“I can walk.” She protested.
Holding her tight to his chest, he strode across the yard. “And I can carry you,” he stated firmly.
“Okay,” Krista whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.
Kade walked into her house and over to the small loveseat and sat down with her in his lap. In just a few seconds she was fast asleep again. He wanted to just sit and cradle her to him for the rest of the day. Or better yet, lay her down in that big king size bed he’d seen when he was checking to make sure her house was safe, and hold her until she woke up. His imagination started getting away from him, because he began picturing all kinds of things he wanted to do to her and with her. His thoughts were just starting to form a complete fantasy when she wiggled around in his lap, trying to get comfortable. Damn, he’d forgotten about his utility belt. Standing up, he placed her gently on the loveseat. She immediately found a comfortable spot and settled in. Picking up the blanket that had slipped off when he was moving her, Kade covered her up. Leaning over, he kissed Krista on the forehead.
“Sleep well, beautiful.” For a few moments he stood over her and just watched her sleep. Honestly, he could stand there forever and just soak in all that she was with his eyes.
Taking a step back, not wanting to leave her, but knowing he had to get back to the station, Kade finally turned and walked out, locking the door as he left.
And that's not all, folks!
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