WIP it Wednesday: “Whiskers of a Chance”

Thank you, Nikki for having me over today!

I can’t believe my first paranormal is coming out soon…"Whiskers of a Chance is due out in Sept/Oct of 2015! (Oh, and I just got the preliminary work on the cover and *swoon* am so in love with!)

*Kermit flail*

As promised, I’m sharing a little more from my upcoming baby. This story started out as a short. Yep, I tried to write a short that was not an add on. I’ve only managed that twice and in both cases, I plan to go back and write those into full books this year or next, lol. So yeah, me and short stories just don’t work.

That said, I couldn’t leave poor Keith and Jason to languish, so I reworked the short and let the full story unfold. I hope you will like the outcome!

So, in the vein of 6 Sentence Sunday (which is where you all got to learn about Designs of Desire if you recall, lol) I thought I’d start showing off little snippets. This one isn’t 6 sentences, but it’s close.

Adam Skyler’s expression was stoic, as always, but the energy pouring off him was bordering on violent. Keith waited for his father to respond; knowing Keith would get what he wanted, though not certain what the cost would be yet. One did not simply do things without the great and mighty Adam Skyler, Alpha of the Glacier Rim Tribe, giving his approval… except when he and Taylor did.

“Why are you only bringing this to me now, Keith? You know how I feel about your sister’s wild ideas of living with the humans. It’s dangerous!”

“Other tribes live—”

In case you didn’t catch it already… the blurb for Whiskers:

Jason Grant runs his own IT business from home, owns his own home, and has the best friend he could imagine. What he doesn’t have, or believe he will ever have, is love. When Jason catches a glimpse of his new neighbor on moving day, his libido ignites and his fascination in piqued. He even manages to concoct an excuse to go over and meet the man who makes him hope and want for more than he has in years.

Keith Skyler is a shifter in a world where his kind is known to only a few, but they don’t often mix and they never mate. Keith has been hoping for a mate since before he can remember, but gay lynx don’t have true mates. As far as he knows, they don’t have mates at all. However, while moving his little family across Seattle—and away from their tribe—his reality tips and spins more than he thought possible.

When these two men meet over a dish of five-cheese broccoli-noodle casserole, sparks fly. Who knew a welcome to the neighborhood gift could give both of them their chance at love?

If you missed last weeks snipped, click HERE to catch up.

Soundtrack for “The Geek and His Artist” by Hope Ryan

Hello folks! First, let me thank Nikki for giving me blog space today! I really appreciate the opportunity to stop by.

Every story I write has a soundtrack. The number of songs on the playlist varies—partly because some stories require more, but sometimes there just aren’t as many that apply. When I sat down to put the list together for The Geek and His Artist, I had to really think about what to put on the list.

I have a rather eclectic taste when it comes to music. But I tend to stick with bands like Godsmack, Nickleback, Linkin Park, and the like. I realized, however, that my teenagers in Geek aren’t necessarily going to listen them. So what, then, did I put on this list?

Well, I went first to my oldest son, who was closest in age to Jimmy and Simon—and who would likely have musical taste closer to them. He asked me what kind of guys Jimmy and Simon and their friends were, what were they like and then gave me an interesting list of possibilities. I whittled them down a bit to come up with the playlist I have here.

A few of the songs have special significance to me. As a bisexual, I sometimes get frustrated when I don’t see them represented in media. In Geek, I have two bisexual characters (side characters who will likely get their own story): Sean and Kip. So, when I came across the Panic! At The Disco song, Girls/Girls/Boys, I was thrilled.

Watch the video here:

Lyrics here.

Another of the songs that really resonated with me because Simon’s theme song. Now, there have been a few versions of this out there, but the rendition of “Mad World” I like the most comes from Gary Jules. The music, the tempo, all of it really makes me think of Simon’s sad, confused, lonely world.

Watch it here:

Lyrics here.

You can listen to/watch the whole playlist on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1GRRRYSRvmOAKm0yidpiiZ8PAKG0TfDx or…

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for chances to win a paperback copy of Geek and $25 to spend at Harmony Ink! Each comment below also qualifies you for an entry to the giveaway. One reader today will win a Geek character trading card of your choice!

Simon Williams spends his lunch periods drawing his geek and trying not to think about the terrors waiting for him at home. He needs to get away from his abusive father before he suffers the same grisly fate as his mother. Because he’s learned the hard way running away doesn’t work, he’s counting the days until his eighteenth birthday.

Jimmy Bennet should be spending his lunch studying so his senior GPA is good enough to get him into college, but he can’t seem to focus thanks to his distracting artist. When he’s given the opportunity to tutor Simon in Trig and discovers Simon’s home-life nightmare, he wants nothing more than to get Simon out of danger. This need becomes more urgent when Simon comes to school the Monday after their first date with bruises, but it takes a broken leg before Jimmy can convince his boyfriend the Bennets really want him.

But the danger Simon thought was past shows up at the most unexpected time, and he must stand up to the fears he’s held so long to protect not only himself, but the man he wants to spend his life with.

You can get Geek here:

Harmony Ink PressDreamspinner PressAmazon
AllRomanceebooksKoboBarnes & Noble

Tourwide Giveaway (separate from post giveaway):

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About Hope:

Hope Ryan is an out and proud bisexual, wife of a loving guy and mother to three, including an amazingly brave gender fluid son. She loves to write about the tough stuff, but also wants to see her characters happy in the end. She feels strongly about showing there is hope for everyone, no matter where you come from, how you identify your gender or who you love.

Hope likes to play board and card games and can often be found playing God with her Sims or running around, fighting monsters in a virtual version of Middle Earth. Her TV and movie preferences lean towards anime, sci fi and fantasy, though she’ll never turn down a good happily ever after love story, either. As long as there are explosions or action, she’s happy. She loves to read books of all kinds, though prefers stories about love in its many forms.

Find Hope at her website (http://www.hoperyan.com), email her (hoperyanauthor@gmail.com), or on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/hoperyanauthor).

To follow along….

The Bear Project by Doris O’Connor

Guest Post

Thanks so much for having me here today. 🙂

I once read that you need to hook the reader within the first page, if not the first sentence. Clearly, this has stuck with me, because a lot of the times I have nothing but that first sentence in my head niggling away at me until I sit down and write the story.

In this case I’ve had that first sentence for ages…

“If he keeps you waiting, he’s not worth waiting for, sugar.”

****

Now, who do you picture saying that, as he bends down to whisper it into your ear? In my mind’s eye, I knew he was some sort of bad boy, with a deep south American accent, which meant my heroine had to be on holiday, because I always place my stories in the UK.

Ohh, a holiday fling?  No, a one night stand with a shifter, because I knew that’s who he was immediately. He was too intense to be anyone else, too intent on claiming her, and then there was that element of immediate danger…

****

“That’s really none of your business, now, is it?”

Emmi held her ground, and inwardly cursed at the heat climbing into her cheeks under his silent scrutiny. Microbes under the microscope were surely studied with less intensity than this sexy stranger was showing her. It was unnerving and far too arousing. Emmi crossed her arms over her chest to hide her nipples’ embarrassingly obvious reaction to his close proximity. However, there was nothing she could do about her knickers’ increasing dampness. She never reacted like this to any man, dammit. What did they put into the drinks around here? And more importantly what was she going to do, stuck in this bar, in the middle of nowhere?

“You’re wrong, you know.” He smiled, and Emmi’s pussy practically did the samba in response to that almost growl.

He dipped his head lower, until he was so close that their breaths mingled, and it took all of Emmi’s will power to not just close that distance and press her mouth to his firm lips.

“I am?”

Cole smiled in answer and ran just one finger along her jaw-line. The calloused pad left a trail of heated need in its wake, and Emmi found it difficult to breathe. The crowded bar faded into the background, until she was only aware of Cole.

“Yes, you are.”

“Why?” she asked on a shuddery exhale, and he tapped her nose with a sinful smirk, that had her insides tightening in need until she wanted to jump his bones. His delicious scent intensified. It called to her in an indefinable manner. It should be illegal for any man to smell so good.

“Because you’re mine.”

****

She is, you know—his that is. Emmi is Cole’s mate and this bear shifter will move heaven and earth to claim her. Nothing and no one will stand in his way, not the council, not his position, certainly not any rules or the threat to the bloodlines.

Nothing, but one small human called Emmi, that is.

Giving in to this insane attraction is all well and good, but that’s all it was. A moment of temporary insanity.

Back in the UK, she has a life to lead, her career. She is not going to throw all that away for a drifter, some dangerous rogue, who she has nothing in common with.

Well… you know that old saying. Never judge a book by its cover…

Cole Jackson is as far removed from her first impression as can be. Oh, he’s sex-on-legs gorgeous, dominant, and decidedly foul mouthed in the bedroom, but he’s also loyal, and protective and you really don’t want to cross him.

Far from the drifter he appears to be, he’s a man of wealth and position, and he’s here to stay, for however long it takes to convince Emmi that she’s his—come what may…

 

TBPBlurb:
When Animal conservationist Emmi Layne meets bad boy Cole Jackson there is no denying the instant lust between them. She has a thing for bears, after all.  However, you cannot build a relationship on awesome sex alone, especially when you live on different continents, and have nothing in common.

Everything changes, when Emmi discovers that their night of passion has left her with more than erotic memories. She has no means of contacting him, even if she wanted to, but she hasn’t counted on this bear shifter’s determination.

Cole is not what he seems, and he will stop at nothing to claim what’s his—even if that means breaking all the rules.

Can he trust the mating bond to deliver, or will it spell the end of an ancient blood line?

With the odds stacked against them, can this unlikely duo find happiness together?
Excerpt:
A moan slipped out from Emmi, and his balls drew tight in anticipation, as she, too, lost what cover his old shirt afforded her.  She licked her lips, her gaze riveted on his erection, and he grinned. A primitive sense of ownership grabbed him, and he bent down, and grabbing her ankles, pulled her down the bed until her ass was half hanging off it and he could step right between her legs.

This position opened her cunt for his inspection, and her scent grew in potency as her juices coated her pussy lips. Cole stroked himself harder in response to that sight, and she whimpered. That tiny sound pitched his need to claim her to new heights, but he wanted her begging for his cock and so wet and ready that she couldn’t stand it anymore.

A vision of keeping her like this, naked and at his mercy, filled his vision. Her curves would look so beautiful bound by Shibari rope, as she begged him for her orgasm.

His dick jumped at the thought, and he used the natural lubrication of his pre-cum to aid the ever faster up and downward glide of his hand.

“Cole, let me…”

Emmi looked up at him, her eyes so dark with her own need it took his breath away.

“No, I want to watch you come for me.” A fierce blush spread all over her skin at his husky words, and she bit her lips hard enough to draw blood. The metallic smell filled his nostrils, and his bear roared. “Use your fingers to spread yourself wider, so that I can see what you’re doing. Tell me what it feels like, and how much you want my cock, sugar.”

Emmi shivered and closed her eyes, but her hands did slowly slide down to the apex of her thighs.

“Use your words, baby. I want to hear you.”

“Oh God.” Her groan matched his when she spread her labia wide and circled her clit with one finger. The little nubbin swelled under her ministrations as all the blood rushed to the surface.

“That’s my girl. Fill your hole with your fingers, and imagine it’s my cock, sugar.”

Emmi complied, and the little needy sounds she made at the back of her throat were pure music to his ears.

“Words, Emmi, use them.”

“I … I can’t. I just … I want to come so badly. My fingers are not enough. I’m gripping them imagining they’re your cock filling me, thrusting in. I want you so badly.”

He growled, and she pumped her fingers faster until the wet sounds of her greedy pussy filled the room. The trembles started as her orgasm took hold, and Cole grabbed her thighs and took over.

Emmi screamed when his tongue replaced her fingers, and her essence flowed freely into his waiting mouth. His bear grunted his approval, and Cole blew against her slit and then bit down on her clit. The action sent Emmi over the edge, and he pushed two of his fingers into her clenching pussy hole. She rode those fingers as her whole body bowed off the bed and tightened before she slumped back down, moaning and writhing under his fingers and tongue.

Cole kept up his assault until the last tremors stopped and then crawled up her limp and sweat slicked body to kiss her.

“You’re not playing fair.” She mumbled the words and ran her hands over his chest, up to his shoulders and then down his back until she could reach his ass. With his body cocooned between her thighs, his cock slid up and down her wet slit and he indulged himself by thrusting into her just once.

Her cunt closed around him like a velvet fist, and Emmi pushed her feet into his calves and lifted up to meet his thrust. Their gazes locked when he pulled out and then pushed into her wet heat again.

“Oh, God, Cole, you’re driving me insane.”

His little human bucked against him, and her vaginal muscles clenched and released around his dick in an effort to hurry him along. It took all of Cole’s willpower and self-control to not simply give her what she wanted, but he withdrew again until just the tip of his dick remained inside her entrance.

Emmi shook and groaned and pleaded, and he ground his teeth to stop himself form coming.

“No, we’ll do this my way. Stop trying to hurry me, sugar, or I’ll tie you to this bed and leave you hanging.”

Her sharp intake of breath made him smile, and he paused half in half out of her sweet cunt, until he could nudge her sweet spot with short, shallow thrusts that had her luscious body climbing again. He could see it in the way her eyes clouded over, and her breathing quickened. Her fingernails scored his skin hard enough to draw blood, and Cole welcomed the slight pain, as he pushed her over that edge again.

“That’s my girl. Come for me again. Beautiful.”

He withdrew and flipped her over, so that she was bent over the side off the bed. With her knees on the floor, and her legs spread wide, her ass was there for him to play with, and Cole smacked one cheek and then pushed his fingers back into her vagina.

A rush of air escaped Emmi’s lungs, and she groaned into the bed covers and lifted her ass up to give him better access.

Cole rubbed his stubble along her shoulder blades and kissed her spine. A shudder went through her body, and she sighed his name when he withdrew.

“What, baby? Do you want me to spank you again?”

He delivered another open handed swat to her other cheek with enough force to leave a bright mark on her pale flesh as the blood rushed to the surface. His possessive bear urged him to do it again, to mark her body with his hands and claws and teeth, but the man needed to be sure she was on board with this.

“Yes, God, yes, please, Cole, anything. That feels so fucking good.”
For all buy links check out this link: http://www.dorisoconnor.com/the-bear-project.html

 

****

Author Bio:

Glutton for punishment would be a good description for Doris… at least that’s what she hears on an almost daily basis when people find out that she has a brood of nine children, ranging from adult to toddler and lives happily in a far too small house, cluttered with children, pets, dust bunnies, and one very understanding and supportive husband. Domestic goddess she is not.

There is always something better to do after all, like working on the latest manuscript and trying not to scare the locals even more than usual by talking out loud to the voices in her head. Her characters tend to be pretty insistent to get their stories told, and you will find Doris burning the midnight oil on a regular basis. Only time to get any peace and quiet and besides, sleep is for wimps.

She likes to spin sensual, sassy, and sexy tales involving alpha heroes to die for, and heroines who give as good as they get. From contemporary to paranormal, BDSM to F/F, and Ménage, haunting love stories are guaranteed.

Stalking Links

Website Blog Twitter  Facebook Pinterest  Evernight Publishing

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Character Interview and giveaway by Author Jennifer Lowery

Hi Nikki and readers *waves* Thanks for having me here today! My debut book, Hard Core, released this month so I’m very excited to be here! Thank you so much for sharing it with me!!

In honor of my release I am offering a copy of my debut romantic suspense, Hard Core, in either ebook format or signed print copy to one lucky commenter so please leave me a comment with your EMAIL and gift choice to be entered to win!!


Nikki-Hi Jennifer it’s a pleasure to have you here on my blog along with Alana and Cristian.  Welcome you three, have a seat and let’s began the interview.


NP-How did you meet each other?

Alana: I saved Cristian’s life. And, he saved mine. *smiles at Cristian*

Cristian: *remains silent, but his ice blue eyes soften when he looks at Alana*

NP-What do you admire in him/her?

Alana: His loyalty.

Cristian: Her passion.


NP-Boxers or Briefs?

Alana: That one is for you. *grins*

Cristian: *scowls* Neither.

NP-What makes you smile about hero/heroine?

Alana: *looks at Cristian who is still scowling* That look right there.

Cristian: *scowl darkens*

NP-What makes you heroic?

Cristian: I’m no hero.

Alana: He is.

NP-What is your nickname?

Alana: I love it when Cristian calls me “Doc”. I’m a surgeon.

NP-Do you have any hobbies?

Alana: Between my work at the hospital and my volunteer work I don’t have time for hobbies.

Cristian: She works too damn hard.

Alana: That’s what you love about me.

*Cristian scowls*

NP-What’s your fave food?

Alana: Anything Cristian cooks for me.

NP-What is the thing that has frightened you most? Do you think there is anything out there that’s scarier than that? What do you think that would be?

Alana: *slips her hand in Cristians* Believing I could kill someone. I never want to face that again. Nothing is scarier than facing the darkest part of yourself.

NP-How private of a person are you? Why?

Cristian: *holds Alana’s hand on his thigh* Very. Are we almost finished here?

NP-What do you think of your author?

Cristian: Jennifer likes to push the limits. I respect her for that. Alana’s just off a twenty-hour shift and I’m just back from a mission. Time to wrap this up. *he helps Alana up, puts an arm around her and they walk from the room*

Thanks for having me today, Nikki!! I had fun! And to my readers out there I just want to say THANK YOU! I wouldn’t be here without you! My wish is to one day meet each and every one of you so I can personally thank you for your generosity and support.

All my best,

Jennifer


Hard Core/Romantic Suspense

Blurb:

Tag: He takes lives. She saves them.

A supposedly hassle-free job for mercenary Cristian Slade becomes a mission of mercy when he saves a life instead of taking one. Slade’s new mission might be his most dangerous yet, because the danger is to his heart.

Tragedy has sent esteemed surgeon Alana O’Grady to a remote a remote Nicaraguan island where she immerses herself in the lives of a native American tribe, using her talents for goodwill instead of wealth and prestige. But life turns upside down when her work requires she protect a rugged mercenary who commands her attention when she’s awake and dominates her dreams while she sleeps.

Doctoring Cristian puts her entire tribe in danger from the man who’s hunting him. Is it her professional oath or her unprofessional attraction to him keeping her from sending him away to heal on his own? Alana’s fire warms Cristian’s heart, but he’s a hardened assassin and has no business falling for someone like her. Can they fight hard enough to keep what they might have together?

Content Warning: Sexual content.

Excerpt:

Prepared to start an IV, she picked up a needle. She had it in position when his other arm shot out and he clamped her wrist in a bone-crushing grip. Startled, she met his panicked gaze.

“I said no needles.”

Her heart banged against her ribcage as she let the needle slip out of her hand. It hit the floor with a small ting. Alana opened her hands in surrender, her patient’s fingers digging into her flesh. For a man half-dead, he had amazing strength.

“Okay,” she said to placate him. “Relax, I don’t have it anymore. It’s your choice, but I recommend you let me start an IV for meds.”

“No. Just fix me.”

Alana pinned him with a no nonsense stare. “I’m not impressed with Superman heroics.”

Face pale and drawn, he said gruffly, “I’m not Superman. Learned not to trust people with needles.”

Her fingers were going numb. “If I remove the bullet without pain medication or anesthetic, you’re going to be sorry.”

He studied her. “You’re really a doctor?”

Alana bristled. “Technically, yes.”

“Technically?”

She didn’t have time to explain herself with the amount of blood seeping from his gunshot wound. “I went to med school. You can let go of my arm now. I won’t use any needles.”

He looked down and immediately released his grip. She rubbed her wrist to soothe away the ache. “Can I get to work now, or do you want to question me more about my credentials while you bleed to death? I don’t have a blood bank, so you’re screwed if you lose too much.”

Her blunt statement received a curt nod. She normally didn’t talk to her patients like that. Her patients didn’t normally countermand her either.

“Do it,” he said.

“Without anesthetics?”

“I don’t need them. Just get it over with.”

Stubborn, stupid, or both? Insane, yes, but there wasn’t time to argue with him.

“Okay. The offer stands if you change your mind.”

“I won’t.”

She doubted that, but didn’t comment. Instead, wiped her forehead with her forearm, and picked up gauze pads to clean the wound.

“Here goes,” she warned and dabbed his skin.

Her patient didn’t move or even wince as she cleaned the angry wound. Either he had a will of steel or he’d passed out again. Hopefully, the latter. Sweat rolled down her back as she finished cleansing the area around the bullet entry. Red flesh puckered with the first signs of infection. In this environment infection was guaranteed.

With a steady hand that would have made her father proud, she picked up her instruments and took a deep breath.

“You still with me?”

He murmured a response, turning his head slightly so he could see her. The stark beauty of his profile, despite the bruises, struck her again. The lines of his face were chiseled, unforgiving. The kind of man she’d glance at twice if she passed him on the street.

A man associated with a criminal.

“Still here, Doc. What are you waiting for?” Husky with pain, his deep voice brought her out of her thoughts.

She gave herself a mental shake. “Want something to bite down on?”

A small, wry smile touched his lips and his lids closed. “You won’t hear a peep out of me. Just fix me, Doc.”

“I can hit you so you’ll sleep through it,” she muttered.

That drew a low chuckle from him. She didn’t expect him to have a sense of humor. He seemed too…hard. His chuckle turned into a grunt of pain. “You probably hit like a girl.”

Alana grinned. “Yes, I do. Rest assured it won’t feel like it.”

“Appreciate the offer, but, no.” His words slurred together, his muscles tense as he fought his body’s demands.

“You got a name, Superman?”

His head rolled to the side, his chest rose and fell slowly. She thought he was out but he murmured, “Cristian.”

“Nice to meet you, Cristian.”

Then she dug into the wound for the bullet.

Author Bio: 

Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer.  Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side. 

Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers.  She loves everything there is about romance.  Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines.  She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love.  

 Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and three children.  When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. 

Find Jennifer:

Buy Hard Core: