Like my page

Follow me on Twitter

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Out with the old

Before my day turns chaotic (aka I go to work) I thought
I'd put this up.  I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!!


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Newsletter

My last newsletter for 2011 is posted over at my site.
You can download it directly
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/newsletter.htm

Inside it you will find a few excerpts from upcoming
releases, and a new series I've been working on.

The details for the 1 million words draw are also in it so be
sure to hop over to my site and download a copy and find out how you
can win one of my books!!

The Dreams anthology and Curses kindle version
are still on sale on amazon for $2.99 until Dec. 31st
http://www.amazon.com/Jacqueline-Paige/e/B003LDHJAW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1


I'm busy working away on edits and finishing up the last two
books for the Magic Seasons as well as site/blog updates so if I get
distracted and lose track of time (again)  I'd like to wish everyone
a Happy New Year!!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Interview with Author Lizzy Ford

Please welcome author Lizzy Ford to the blog today!


1. Who is Lizzy Ford, really?
I get asked this question a lot!  I’m basically just a normal (slightly overweight) woman with a love for writing and a somewhat freak of nature ability to write a new novel every month.  I live in Arizona with my husband and our three animals.  I view my books and success as the result of the incredible amount of support and feedback I receive from readers as well as a team effort: I work with a freelance book editor, freelance graphics artist, and my husband, who is an I.T. genius. 
2. Where did you get your inspiration from for Damian’s Oracle?
Many of my books start out in my dreams, usually with an intensely emotional scene or just a straight out movie in my mind.  Damian’s Oracle was no different.  I dreamt the opening scene, where Sofi is trying to figure out what’s wrong with her.  Unknowingly, she’s transitioning from a human into an oracle, but she doesn’t know that yet, so the dream (and opening scene!) were intense.  She’s frustrated and convinced she’s dying, and no one can help her.
3.  Do you ever have problems with writers block?  If so how do you get through it?
Not yet.  I’ve never had an issue yet with writer’s block.  If anything, I have the opposite: too many ideas to keep up.  I dream stories and write fulltime – more like writer’s overload!
4. Damian’s Oracle is book I in the War of the Gods, what’s next?
Book two in the series, “Damian’s Assassin,” and book three, “Damian’s Immortal,” are both out as well.  I’ll release book four, “The Grey God,” in May.  I’m also planning to launch two spin-off series from this one with one starting next Summer. 
My 2012 publishing line-up will consist of ten novels, a novella, and short stories as needed/requested for anthologies.  I’m getting ready to release my first young adult fantasy, too.
5. While working on a story, do you directly onto the computer or are there notebooks and plot ideas jotted down in various places?
Everything is in my head.  The only time I take notes is during revising, when I need to make sure I’ve caught all wandering subplots or standardized speech or other language essential to the world I’ve built.
6.  What do you do when you’re not writing/editing or thinking about writing/ editing?
I plan and run my business!  Being an indie writer is like being a business owner.  I’m fully responsible for marketing, advertising, building an online platform, managing the financial aspect, strategic (long term) planning, analyzing what’s working and not ... so writing and editing make up about 50% of what I do.  I normally designated 2 weeks a month to write and revise a book, then the rest of the time is spent networking, connecting with readers, researching marketing/advertising opportunities.  I love it – there’s always some new challenge!
7.  If you had one piece of advice for all those writers sitting out there procrastinating about making that first submission or taking that first publishing step, what would it be?
You’ll never succeed if you don’t take that first step, whether you go the traditional route or the indie route.  It takes a little bit of talent and a whole lot of will in this industry to make it.  I feel fortunate and grateful for how far I’ve come this year, but it took a team and it took every spare moment I had when I was working fulltime.  Now that I’m a fulltime writer, I’m still putting in 10-12 hour days and corresponding with readers and fans outside the time I designated for work.  I’ve wanted this since I was knee-high dreaming of becoming a writer, and I count my blessings daily that I’ve reached the point in my life where I can.  There are no bad days when you love what you’re doing.
8.  Please share your favourite scene with us from Damian’s Oracle.
I imagine it’s the scene where Sofi has transitioned from human to oracle but still doesn’t know what that entails.  She knows she’s different, and the feeling of being a freak among freaks hits home one evening while she’s watching the other immortals sit around and eat pizza.  She can’t eat, because she’s been blood bound, and all she can do is watch them, knowing she doesn’t fit into their world or the human world.  That feeling of utter loneliness was one I’ve had for much of my life, and I think everyone has gone through some stage of their lives where they felt like they were the only outsider in existence!
Thanks so much for taking the time to be here today, Lizzy!  J


Lizzy Ford is the hyper-prolific author of the "Rhyn Trilogy" and "War of Gods" series, both launched in 2011, as well as multiple single title young adult fantasy and paranormal romances. Lizzy's books have reached into the bestseller lists on both Amazon US and Amazon UK in multiple categories. Through her unconventional online marketing strategies, Lizzy has gone from selling 20 books in January 2011 to around 5000 books in September 2011 and from over 7,000 free downloads of her work in January 2011 to over 40,000 downloads in September 2011.


The Lizzy Ford team consists of: Matt, IT and search engine optimization expert; Christine LePorte, freelance book editor; Dafeenah, graphics artist; and Toni, English-Spanish translator.


Lizzy is considered by most to be the ultimate writing freak of nature for her ability to write and epublish a new book every 30-45 days. She is also a regular contributor for the Curiosity Quills website and is an active member of a small guild of nine passionate, talented writers, the Indie Eclective. Lizzy's books are available from Amazon, BN, Smashwords, iBooks/iTunes, and all other eReader libraries.

Lizzy’s links:
·        FB: http://www.facebook.com/Lizzy
·        Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LizzyFord2010
   






Inspired by Slavic mythology, Damian’s Oracle is the entree into the ongoing battle between good and evil over the fate of humanity. The White God, Damian, and his Guardians protect the world from the Black God and his monsters while rescuing Naturals – humans with extraordinary paranormal gifts – from the Black God, who would kill or convert them.


Caught in the middle is cool-headed Sofia, a Natural whose gift will tip the scales in the war. Sofia begins her transformation from human into oracle, the first in thousands of years. Damian rescues her from the Black God in time to complete a ceremony that will bind her to him for eternity. Sofia struggles with her new world and her role as an oracle and Damian’s mate while haunted by a mysterious man from Damian’s past who’s supposed to be dead. Unbeknownst to her, her link to the dead man may be all that saves Damian, his Guardians, and the fate of humanity.


While he wants nothing more than for the petite beauty to take her place at his side like the oracles of legend did his White God forefathers, Damian can’t quite rationalize having to win her over instead of command her. Further complicating his life is the sobering realization that there are spies in his organization who are helping the Black God take out his Guardians. Damian must help Sofia reach her potential fast, especially when a threat from his past returns.










Saturday, December 24, 2011

Happy Holidays to everyone!


I'll be back on the blog next week and there
will be a give away to celebrate reaching my 
goal of 1 million words over all with all of my books!!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Immortalis Series by Katie Salidas





Immortalis Series, Book 1
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.
Page Count: 323
Word Count: 85,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: March 2, 2010
Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.

As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her “turning”, did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.

Only by accepting her newfound immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

Available in print and/or ebook at:


Immortalis Series, Book 2
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.
Page Count: 263
Word Count: 75,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: December 10, 2010
Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.

Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.

Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.

If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she’ll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan’s support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum’s new threat.


Immortalis Series, Book 3
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language.
Page Count: 238
Word Count: 65,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: July 12th 2011
Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.

Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?

When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.

Apparently powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander’s old journals hold the key? And what if they don’t?
And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being?




Immortalis_button_jpg.jpg


http://www.katiesalidas.com/



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Guest author Karen A Wyle

Today I have the pleasure of having Karen A. Wyle here
on my blog while on her tour for Twin-Bred.

Twin Bred Button 3.jpg

Character Interview with Levi



Introductory Note: this would be, to say the least, a difficult interview to arrange. "Levi Thomas" was the name that would have belonged to Mara Cadell's fraternal twin, had he survived to be born. He died shortly before that point. Mara, emotionally traumatized by that loss, coped by keeping Levi alive in her mind as a companion. (The traumatic nature of her loss is based on reports from many twin survivors.)

Q.        I'll start with the question many readers would particularly like to ask you: are you purely a creature of Mara's imagination, or do you have some independent reality?

A.        Wouldn't you like to know?

            I could tell you to ask Mara -- not that she's in a particularly good position to answer that question -- but of course, she doesn't like to talk about me. She'd be quite perturbed that        you even know of my existence (if that's what we call it for purposes of discussion).

Q.        Do you agree with Mara that it would harm her career, and/or endanger the Twin-Bred     project, if people on Tofarn found out about you?

A.        Definitely. I've told her as much. You must understand, Mara is not the easiest person to get along with. She's prickly and doesn't suffer fools gladly. And she has a very low          tolerance for organizational politics. All of which means that only her exceptional      scientific ability induces people to put up with her. There are many who would like to   be shut of her if they had a good enough excuse. Delusions of twin-hood? Good enough.

Q.        Do you think Mara would be better off without you?

A.        Allow me a small sigh. . . . Mara would be better off if I had lived. And it's possible she'd             be better off if I had never existed. I'm not sure "better to have loved and lost" applies in     these circumstances, if it ever does. . . .  But there we were, twins. There's no getting         around that starting point. And she's tenacious, in love as in other things. It wasn't in her       nature to simply move on. All things considered, I think she's better off isolated and     secretive than seriously depressed. And of course, I'm good company.

Q.        Do you think it's made things easier or harder for Mara, being surrounded by twins?

A.        Both. But on the whole, I think it's been more healing than otherwise. All around her, she             sees humans and Tofa, most of whom would never have had a twin if not for her. You             could say that she's ensured I didn't die in vain. Though I doubt she's thought if it in those       terms.

Q.        Do you play any part in Mara's artwork -- her drawing and cartooning?

A.        Not directly. I don't think I would have been that visual. I'm more about the words. We    often talk about her drawings. Sometimes I lack the context to understand them, and she    explains. And her cartoons show a sense of humor that she doesn't normally indulge. That side of her, that hidden mischief, is where she and I are most alike.

Twin-Bred
By Karen A. Wyle

Can interspecies diplomacy begin in the womb? After seventy years on Tofarn, the human colonists and the native Tofa still know very little about each other.  Misunderstanding breed conflict, and the conflicts are escalating. Scientist Mara Cadell’s radical proposal: that host mothers of either species carry fraternal twins, human and Tofa, in the hope that the bond between twins can bridge the gap between species. Mara lost her own twin, Levi, in utero, but she has secretly kept him alive in her mind as companion and collaborator.

Mara succeeds in obtaining governmental backing for her project – but both the human and Tofa establishments have their own agendas. Mara must shepherd the Twin-Bred through dangers she anticipated and others that even the canny Levi could not foresee. Will the Twin-Bred bring peace, war, or something else entirely?



Amazon (POD): 

Nook Store: 

Smashwords (various ebook formats):  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94490

CreateSpace (paperback):  https://www.createspace.com/3541557

Excerpt:

The human colony on Tofarn and the indigenous Tofa have great difficulty communicating with and basically comprehending each other. Scientist Mara Cadell is running a project where host mothers carry twins, one human and one Tofa, in the hope that the bond between twins can bridge the gap between species. Alan Kimball, a member of the governing human Council, is hostile to the Tofa and has inserted agents into the project.

Excerpt #1 from Twin-Bred

Tilda looked at her twins, cuddled close together in the crib. Mat-set had all four arms wrapped around Suzie. They seemed to cuddle any chance they got. Maybe they were glad to be free of separate amniotic sacs.
She looked down at Mat-set and remembered the rumors of Tofa with five arms instead of four. She had even seen pictures, but who knew whether they were authentic. Certainly none of the Tofa Twin-Bred babies had been born with extra limbs.
Tilda glanced over at the big dormitory clock and then back down at the babies. She gasped and staggered a step back. Mat-set was still holding Suzie with four arms. So how was he scratching his head with another one?
Tilda looked around wildly for a chair, found one blessedly nearby, and sank down on it. She pinched herself. Nothing changed. Well, who said you couldn’t pinch yourself in a dream and keep on dreaming?
She got up and walked, a bit unsteadily, to the intercom and buzzed for a nurse. Then she went back to the crib. Of course. Four arms, only four, and what was she going to do now?
She decided to be brave and sensible. If she had really seen it, the staff had to know. And if she hadn’t, and she didn’t wake up, then she was ill, and she should get the help she needed.

  
The chief nurse tucked Tilda in and watched her drift off to sleep, sedative patch in place. Then she went back to her station and called up the monitor footage on Tilda’s twins.
Well, well.



* CONFIDENTIAL *
CLEARANCE CLASS 3 AND ABOVE

LEVI Status Report, 12-15-71
Executive Summary

Anatomical Developments

Observation of the Tofa infants has shed some light on the longstanding question of whether the number of Tofa upper appendages is variable among the Tofa population. The thickest of the four armlike appendages is apparently capable of dividing when an additional upper appendage is desired. . . .



Councilman Kimball bookmarked the spot in his agent's report and opened his mail program. He owed an apology to the young man who had claimed his poor showing against a Tofa undesirable was due to the sudden appearance of an extra appendage. Apparently the man had been neither dishonest nor drunk.
After discharging that obligation, Kimball made a note to seek further details as to the divided arms' placement, reach, and muscular potential. His people needed adequate information to prepare them for future confrontations. After all, forewarned — he laughed out loud at the thought — was forearmed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karen A. Wyle was born a Connecticut Yankee, but eventually settled in Bloomington, Indiana, home of Indiana University.  She now considers herself a Hoosier. Wyle's childhood ambition was to be the youngest ever published novelist.  While writing her first novel at age 10, she was mortified to learn that some British upstart had beaten her to the goal at age 9. 

Wyle is an appellate attorney, photographer, political junkie, and mother of two daughters. Her voice is the product of almost five decades of reading both literary and genre fiction.  It is no doubt also influenced, although she hopes not fatally tainted, by her years of law practice.  Her personal history has led her to focus on often-intertwined themes of family, communication, the impossibility of controlling events, and the persistence of unfinished business.


Twin-Bred Playlist Promotion

I'm running a special promotion for Twin-Bred:  be the first reader to suggest a song for a Twin-Bred playlist, and if I agree with your selection, your name and song choice will be included in an appendix to a future edition of the book!

Please send an mp3 file, or a link to a YouTube video where I can hear the song, to Karen A. Wyle at kawyle@kiva.net.  (At the same time, please let me know if you'd like to be on my email alert list, so you can hear about upcoming releases and events.)

I'll post occasional updates about the playlist on Twin-Bred's Facebook page.

Thanks for stopping by today, Karen!



Thursday, December 8, 2011

One Million Words!

What started as an innocent question from one of my kids turned into a goal for me.
They wondered months ago how many words I've written in total (completed books, pre-submission and published)  so I added them up.

I've had the pink counter on the bottom of my blog for months and today I moved it to the top because I'm at 99% !!!  That's a whole lotta words!!

When I get closer, sometime this month, I'll be having a random give-away on twitter to help celebrate and then ... well I guess we up that counter to two million and see how many more books it takes to reach it.

Keep an eye on the counter...

   Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Monday, December 5, 2011

New Cover!

I'm always thrilled when I see the cover for one
of my books.

I just received the cover for the first book in the
Magic Seasons series
and yes I'm doing the Happy Dance!
Blaise Kilgallen did a beautiful job!



Stay tuned in the coming month for more details
before it's release in January at Class Act Books.


Sunday, December 4, 2011

Judy Powell - Hot Summer!

Hot_Summer_-_Book_Cover_-_5_06-230x338.jpg


Genre: sizzling romance

A hot-tempered spitfire and a strong-willed, arrogant man – put them together and sparks fly!

After her first embarrassing encounter Summer Jones vows to stay away from suave, sexy and oh, so arrogant Lance Munroe.  But then she ends up working for the man.  Her quick temper and sharp tongue keep landing her in hot water with him but no matter how hard she tries she can’t deny her growing attraction for him.  Then they go on a business trip to Jamaica – and that’s when things get really hot.

Lance is intrigued  by the feisty woman who practically tells him off  the first time they meet.  When they begin working together he realizes how much he enjoys the challenge of taming the little tigress.  But, before he knows it, he’s the one caught in the snare of passion.  The tables are turned – the tigress has tamed the lion.

For a sizzling romance, follow Summer and Lance from Chicago to Jamaica and be swept away in the thrill of their hot summer.

Excerpt


Summer’s breath came in shallow gasps as she sat still, not feeling she could move even if she wanted to. She was like a bird frozen in the mesmerizing stare of a snake, knowing it was about to be eaten alive but not able to make a move to save its own life.

She moaned and closed her eyes as his lips stroked the sensitive skin then moved to the base of her throat where he licked softly and gently. She didn’t realize that she was still clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand until she felt his strong fingers pry hers open to pull it away so that he could seduce her palm with his thumb.

“Relax, baby.” He moved his lips up her neck and to her ear.  “You’re so tense. Just relax.”

As he spoke he pushed her back gently into the plush pillows and began to nibble her ear lobe. He gave a lick just behind her ear and shock waves ran down her spine.

“Oh, God,” she breathed, “what are you doing to me?”

“What someone should have done to you a long time ago, Summer Jones,” he whispered.  “Teach you what it means to be a woman.”

He dipped his head and slid his lips back down her neck, over her collar bone and down to that oh, so sensitive place between the curves of her breasts. Here he paused and she held her breath, eyes shut tight, wondering if he was going to stop now. She prayed he wouldn’t.

She was not disappointed. An involuntary gasp escaped her lips as he slipped a warm tongue down her cleavage, sliding it between the orbs and teasing her soft flesh until her body screamed and she felt she would die from the sweet sensation. She grabbed the back of his head and pressed him into her, wanting more of the pleasure, more of the sweetness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Judy Powell is a writer and marketing consultant living in Ontario, Canada.  Her first romance novel, Hot Summer, placed second in the Toronto Romance Writers Contemporary Romance Competition.  She has two additional romance novels in stores: Hot Chocolat, which is the sequel to Hot Summer and Some Like It Hot, her sensual romance.  An excerpt from Judy's first novel, Hot Summer, is featured in Canadian Voices – An Anthology of Prose and Poetry by Emerging Canadian Writers.

Judy loves to learn, and has Master’s degrees in Spanish, Marketing, Literature, and Creative Writing and a BA in International Business/Foreign Languages.  She loves to travel, and has lived and worked in various countries including France, Puerto Rico, the USA, Canada and Jamaica.  She has also travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.  International cultures are always featured in her work. 

Judy shares information on her books and learning resources at www.judypowell.com

 Hot Summer Button.jpg



Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Interview with Author Jeffe Kennedy

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Jeffe Kennedy while
on her tour  for Sapphire.

Saphire_final-245x379.jpg


1. Who is Jeffe Kennedy, really?
Really? Hmm. That’s a closely guarded secret, with all associated information monitored by the International Police. I appear to be a mild-mannered – okay, kind of dramatic and impatient – woman with long black hair, a Santa Fe tan and green eyes, but really I’m a cat in a human suit. It’s all about the opposable thumbs for me.

2. Where did you get your inspiration from for Sapphire?
I had this fantasy about a guy, handcuffs and a party on a yacht. I rolled the story from there. Why would she let him do it?

3.  Do you ever have problems with writers block?  If so how do you get through it?
I don’t, really. But I also make myself write every day, at the same time, for the same amount of time. I sit there and dream about the story (with the internet turned off) until the time is up. I almost always get a lot done. Even if I don’t write many words or revise many pages, I still make mental inroads on the story.

4. Do you have any future works we should keep an eye out for?
My novel, OBSIDIAN, is coming out the first week of July! It’s about a Neuroscientist who ends up in Faerie by accident – and contracted to bear the firstborn child of a manipulative and roguish Fae man.

5. While working on a story, do you directly onto the computer or are there notebooks and plot ideas jotted down in various places?
I’m a computer girl. I compose on the computer. I keep spreadsheets in Excel and notes in Word. I do have a little paper pad in my purse, for when I’m out and about in the world, but those notes go into my electronic file, to become “real.”

6.  What do you do when you’re not writing/editing or thinking about writing/ editing?
I work. I have a day job with an environmental consulting firm that keeps me very busy and often on the road. I’m writing this in a Hilton hotel in Springfield, Illinois, in fact. If I’m not working the day job or writing, I try to keep the house semi-clean, I take long walks, I watch movies with the man. I read as much as I can squeeze in. I like to play with my cats.

7.  If you had one piece of advice for all those writers sitting out there procrastinating about making that first submission, what would it be?
Hmm. Interesting question. If you’ve followed the steps and you think it’s done, then submit the damn thing already! If it’s not ready, fix it. Don’t obsess. Submitting your work isn’t a decisive thing, no matter what the agents or editors threaten. Submit your work and learn from the response. It’s the only way.

8.  Please share your favourite scene with us from Sapphire.
I confess I love the lunch scene. Because I love lunch with wine in the sun. And it cracks me up when she asks if he’s had his OCD diagnosed.

“I thought we’d walk—it’s great weather today.” Kirliss took her elbow to guide her in the right direction. “So, how are you planning to break up with me?”
“I don’t have to break up with you,” she returned, “as we don’t have a relationship.”
“Everybody has relationships. It’s just a matter of determining what kind.”
“Well, then I’m determined that you and I will have a business relationship.”
“Negotiations are always fun. I look forward to hearing your business plan. And presenting my own counteroffer.”
Taylor pressed her lips together. How could every damn thing this man said sound sexual?
They sat at a table on the deck overlooking the harbor. Taylor enviously noted that some of the other women were enjoying golden wine in full-bellied glasses, but she opted for iced tea. She didn’t need the afternoon sleepies—or to let down her guard with Kirliss, who ordered a cafĂ© Americano.
Taylor opened her mouth to begin her speech, then bit down on it when he reached into his jacket and withdrew a rose to lay on her plate. Extraordinarily large and perfect, the rose’s pristine white petals were tinged scarlet at the edges, as if they’d been dipped in blood. She brushed the velvety texture with tentative fingertips, oddly moved by the gesture.
“‘For even the love that is purest and sweetest has a kiss of desire on the lips,’” Kirliss quoted in a husky voice.
She looked up to find him observing her with inscrutable brown eyes. She raised her eyebrows, deliberately arch. “Love poetry? And here I thought this was about sex.”
“That too. Desire is about both, don’t you think? O’Reilly thought so.”
Taylor gazed at his intent expression, feeling off balance again.
“What I think,” she said in a crisp tone, deliberately setting the rose aside and starting her speech, “is that you and I are business associates. A sexual…dalliance is not appropriate.”
“None of the good stuff is,” he agreed in an easy tone. “But when your life is all about the job, like it is for you and I, we have to find ways to work around that.”
“I’m not interested.”
“The hell you aren’t. You’re just afraid of the way you lose control with me.”
Taylor sipped her icy tea. “What happened last night was—”
“Delicious.”
“A horribly inappropriate fluke.”
“Don’t you believe in love?” Kirliss leaned over his plate, steepling his fingers. “In the intimacy of sex and the dark desires people can share?”
“Never mind that you’re mixing emotion and lust—what I believe is irrelevant and immaterial to this conversation, Mr. Kirliss.”
“I’ve decided I like how you call me ‘Mr. Kirliss.’ I picture you whispering it, hands tied behind your back, kneeling naked at my feet.”
Taylor’s heart thumped, her groin clenching with unexpected heat. She cast about, looking to see if anyone at the nearby tables had overheard. The ladies who lunched at the next table laughed and clinked their wineglasses, in another world. The suited men on the other side were talking loudly of the stock market. Still, enough was enough. Taylor carefully folded her napkin, laid it across her plate, started to stand.
Kirliss’s hand shot across the table, steel fingers wrapping around her wrist, wrapping her heart in that scary feeling of helpless need.
“Let go of me,” Taylor said softly.
“I’ve only just got a hold of you—how can I?”
“I can’t do this.”
“You’re afraid of it. Afraid of how much you want it.”
“Hi, folks. Sorry to keep you waiting. Ready to order your lunch?” The chirpy waitress fluttered at Kirliss, eyes only for him.
Kirliss released her wrist, turning the gesture so he stroked her palm with slow heat. “Well, M, what did you decide on?”
Taylor could see herself walking away. She could tip her wrist and exclaim at the time on her silver watch, cite an important meeting she’d forgotten. Kirliss watched her, brown eyes intent. This was absolutely the moment for her to walk.
She ordered the crab salad. And a glass of Chardonnay.
She didn’t hear what Kirliss ordered, her ears too full of rushing blood. She hadn’t agreed to a damn thing, she told herself. It was just lunch.
“So, what does the M stand for?” Kirliss sat back, relaxed.
“Have you had your OCD professionally diagnosed?” Taylor returned in the same conversational tone.
Kirliss chuckled. “You know well that I can be quite obsessive about details I’m interested in. I’m interested in you, M. I’m looking forward to uncovering that sweet, hot, gooey center that Taylor protects so carefully.”
“I find it…unsettling, that you talk like I’m two different people.”
“And yet, you don’t argue the point.”
“Debates with you tend to end up in one place, I’ve found.”
“Oh yes?” Kirliss purred. “Is this the place where you’re naked and I’m ravishing you?”
“I haven’t agreed to anything.”
“Haven’t you? You’re still sitting here.”
Taylor shrugged. “A girl needs to eat.”
“And yet you were about to get up and walk out five minutes ago.”
The chirpy waitress brought Taylor’s wine, sighed in Kirliss’s direction and reluctantly left again. Taylor sipped it, watching Kirliss warily over the rim.
“First rule, M—you may not walk out of any situation I put you in, unless you call your safe word.”
Sapphire. She hadn’t forgotten. A wise woman would have defused this entire situation with that one simple word. All along she’d had the key to escape. But she hadn’t used it. Not last night. Not today. Her blood ran hot. Did she dare put herself in this man’s hands?
“Perhaps I don’t choose to use that word because I refuse to engage in your game.”
“It’s understandable. You need to put up a token effort for the propriety of your conscious mind. You maybe find the struggle thrilling. I’ll let you in on a secret.” Kirliss leaned forward and stroked the petals of the rose. “I confess I like it when you struggle too. It…stirs me.”
Taylor gathered herself. Desire raged through her, filling her with life. Everything seemed sharper: the blue of the sky, the gold of his eyes, the crisp oak of the wine. Lust and curiosity drove her. The words came out of her mouth before she fully formed the question in her mind.
“Let’s say I don’t use my out. What would the other rules be?”
Triumph flared in the eyes across the table. “It’s very simple, M. You do as I say, without hesitation.”
The waitress set their plates down, but Kirliss never glanced at her, he was so focused on Taylor. As soon as she left again, he continued in that quiet, relentless voice.
“I will never interfere with business or cause you to consider that your career or reputation might be harmed. What goes on between us is, and always will be, private. But I will ask a great deal of you, M. Things that Taylor might not be comfortable with.”
Taylor couldn’t meet his eyes. Her chest felt too tight for breath. She tasted some of the succulent crab. Surreal, having this conversation. Feeling the arousal pulse through her.
“So I just let you do whatever you like to me. Unless I cry off.”
“Yes.”
“You make it sound easy.”
“Oh no, M. It won’t be easy. I intend to break you apart and rend you open. You’re right. This isn’t about love. Nor is it just about sex. It’s about possession and knowledge. I want all of you and I will open every secret, dark corner of you until I’ve had it all.”
Taylor stared at him, terrified and aroused. How was it possible to feel both things at once?
“And then what?” she asked, her voice unsteady.
Kirliss shrugged. “Who knows the answer to that at the start of any relationship?”
He had a point.
“I seem to recall you saying you weren’t interested in having a slave?”
He flashed white teeth at her. “I’m not. I’m interested in having a lover. One who shares my particular bent.”
“And you think I do.”
He leaned forward, fingers tightening around her wrist. She trembled at the touch and she knew he felt it.
“If I slipped my hand into your panties right now, I’m sure I’d find you dripping wet. Shall I tell you to accompany me to some dark corner so we can test my theory?”
She stared at him, helpless to answer. Part of her wished he would pull her into that corner and do all the things he’d done the night before and more. The other part protested that she couldn’t allow it.
He rubbed his thumb over her pounding pulse and smiled at her. “Hold that thought—we’ll take it up tonight.”
Taylor tugged her hand back to fork up some salad. “I’m supposed to do whatever you say in all aspects of my life? What happens if you tell me something like that and I have another engagement—a business dinner or if I need to work late?”
“That’s what your safe word is for.”
“What if—” Taylor took a bite and pointed her fork at him, “—I don’t choose to use that word.”
“It’s not a capitulation to use it. It’s a way of communicating.”
“I’ll communicate how I choose. What if I can’t meet one of your demands and I don’t use the get-out-of-jail card?”
“If you tell me no without the safe word, you’ll be punished.”
The crab stuck in her throat. “Punished? How?”
Kirliss shrugged and flipped careless fingers at the perky waitress for the bill. “However I choose. That’s part of it.”
“If I do…meet you tonight, what happens? Dinner? Full-out kinky sex or what?”
He chuckled, shaking his head slowly. “Oh no, Taylor, you don’t get to control this. That’s the whole point.”
“Well, how do I know what to wear?” she snapped. He seemed to find her buttons with uncanny accuracy.
He raised his eyebrows. “Why, darling, you’ll wear what I tell you to.”

Thanks so much for taking the time to be here today, Jeffe!  J
Thank you for hosting me!

More about Sapphire:

Publisher: Carina Press
Date Published: October 24, 2011

A successful executive, M. Taylor Hamilton is on track with her ten-year plan. Too bad her personal life consists of hitting the gym and grocery shopping. Enter the seductive Adam Kirliss. They may have a working relationship, but everything changes at an office party when he handcuffs her to the rail of a yacht. Taylor writes the adventure off as too much champagne, but when Adam challenges her to a date, she agrees to meet up with him. And follow his rules. They share a night of exquisite intimacy, brimming with both pain and pleasure. But afterwards, fearful of losing her heart, Taylor pulls back emotionally. Adam is determined to prove that she longs for the loss of control he can give her – and the passionate release it provides. How can he make her see that he wants her, and not just her body?


More about Jeffe

Jeffe (pronounced Jeff- ee) took the crooked road to writing, stopping off at neurobiology, religious studies and environmental consulting before her creative writing began appearing in places like Redbook, Puerto del Sol, Wyoming Wildlife, Under the Sun and Aeon. She has been a Ucross Foundation Fellow (2001), was a Wyoming Arts Council roster artist, when she lived in Wyoming, and received the state’s 2005 Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Award for a woman writer of exceptional talent in any creative writing genre and the 2007 Fellowship for Poetry. Jeffe has contributed to several anthologies, Drive: Women’s True Stories of the Open Road. (2002), Hard Ground (2003), Bombshells (2007) and Going Green (2009). Her first book, Wyoming Trucks, True Love and the Weather Channel was published by University of New Mexico Press in 2004. An erotic novella, Petals and Thorns, came out under her pen name of Jennifer Paris in 2010, heralding yet another branch of her path, into erotica and romantic fantasy fiction. Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and frequently serves as a guinea pig for an acupuncturist-in-training.

Who Is Jennifer Paris?

I was doing the “Jeffe Kennedy writing as Jennifer Paris” thing, but Angela James, my editor at Carina, said no, no, no. Since I really don’t want to “flesh out” Jennifer Paris and tweet or blog as her (she was only a cardboard cut-out anyway), I decided to retire her. However, I have one book “Petals and Thorns” that is by Jennifer Paris.








Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Another November insanity complete!


I did some mad writing last night and today and finished 
a little over the 50,000 word goal for a final count of
53,207 words!
Of course in the next few months when I have time to go
through it I will have to cut out probably about 3000 of those and
correct another 10,000
but I made it with one day to spare and despite the insanity of
the last month for me I already made a note on my calendar to plan
next years NaNo novel in September so I know what I'm writing.

And now I can rest my brain and hands for a few days.