Thanks for dropping by my stop on the Naughty Hotties Blog Hop with the fellow Nice Girls Writing Naughty! The rock stars of Solar Uprising in my Backstage Pass series love to celebrate holidays with wild parties, and spring is a great time to open the pool and break out the bikinis!
There’s Michael Korvello whispering into his new wife’s ear about their very first encounter in the waterfall alcove. He loves making her blush! His brother, Daniel Korvello, is plying his girlfriend Becca with a cupcake with patriotic icing (all the while trying to get her out of her cover-up).
Sean Rosslair is coaxing Meghan deeper into the water, grinning wide when her toes can’t touch the bottom and she wraps her legs around and holds on tight. Meghan isn’t complaining! Who wouldn’t want a hot, hard-bodied drummer between her thighs. ;)
For once, hottie Nate Bishop has discarded his iconic cowboy hat to get wet with his honey, Sara. I can’t wait to share his story with y’all this summer! In the meantime, here’s a flashback to one of the Korvellos wild and crazy pool parties!
Excerpt from FINDING HER RHYTHM
Available on Amazon B&N Smashwords
“Don’t let them fool ya,” Becca said. “Michael’s a great guy, but he doesn’t exactly have a ‘white-picket-fence’ lifestyle. Take care of yourself.”
She turned at the rebel yells that erupted from the vicinity of the doors to the house. Daniel and Michael ran across the decorative concrete to cannonball into the pool.
They surfaced with whoops and hollers until one of the band members yelled, “Chicken fight!”
Becca wasted no time getting to her feet. “That would be my cue to exit. The annual chicken fight is definitely not my scene.” She strode toward the locker rooms, leaving Taylor to face the music.
She turned a wide-eyed gaze toward the rest of the party, which was rapidly dividing itself by groups of two. Even the teenagers. Her stomach started to churn, faster and faster, like a merry-go-round gaining speed.
She stayed put, sort of an “if I’m very still, no one will notice me” move. After all, no one had so far. But she should have known her luck would run out.
Not two minutes later Michael detached himself from the group and swam in her direction. Oh, that hot dog had been a mistake. She just might puke in the pool.
No. No no no. Please don’t make me do this. The last thing she wanted was for Michael Korvello to try to lift her. She could just imagine the stoic grunt as he realized just how much she weighed. Not to mention having to do it in front of a handful of women shaped like twigs. With boobs, of course.
His head lifted above the water with slick grace, the wetness somehow deepening the smoky blue of his eyes. “I need a partner, Taylor.”
She swallowed hard. “No, thanks.”
“Come on. You wouldn’t leave me hangin’, would ya?”
Her expression must have showcased some of her “you bet I would, mister” sentimentality, because the laughter in his ramped up. “Come on. Just a friendly game of chicken.” His emphasis on the word notated his challenge.
Just like he challenged her every day. Drawing her out, coaxing her to take the leap. But this time she had fear of taking her towel off in front of thirty-some-odd people on her side.
“Not happening.” She shook her head to drive her point home.
Above the slosh of people in the pool, a voice suddenly rang out. “I thought you said she was a cool nanny?”
A quick glance revealed the teens looking her way, and not a single soul left out of the pool, except one woman wrangling two toddlers.
And her.
So much for outgrowing peer pressure. Her “okay” got everyone back to their preparations and their eyes off her, thank God. But not Michael’s.
He watched with a raised brow as she stood next to her lounger. Her legs shook with the desire to run back to the locker rooms and hide. How could she possibly do this? But some teeny-tiny spark inside insisted she could ramp up that sexy glint in his eyes.
Fake it till you make it.
Sucking in her stomach, she let the towel drop to reveal her new swimsuit. His gaze traveled down the teal one-piece with interest, lingering where it dipped low over her cleavage. Turning, she draped her towel over her lounger. A totally unnecessary maneuver, but his quick intake of breath told her he’d seen the heart-shaped cutout right over the dimples at the small of her back.
Did he like them?
Remembering when those dimples had been the subject of ridicule rather than an intimate secret between lovers, she approached Michael with a touch of caution. When she was within a few steps of him, he breathed, “Damn, woman.”
Ah, victory.
A few deep breaths got her through the indignity of climbing onto Michael’s muscled shoulders. Thankfully he didn’t moan or stumble over her weight. The only thing that eased her self-consciousness was the feel of his wet skin against hers. His hands warming as they curled around her thighs. The flex of his arms as he balanced her securely.
Oh, she was so going to hell for her thoughts.
Luckily no one else seemed to be paying her any attention as one of the men yelled, “Ready. Set. Go!”
She fought to keep her balance as the free-for-all ensued. Then she unabashedly clamped her thighs around Michael’s neck and held on for dear life. They both laughed so hard that she was distracted from the overt sexual nature of her position.
They weren’t the last couple standing, but they made it into the top five, at least. McKayla and the sixteen-year-old boy who was dazzled to have her on his shoulders came out the winners.
Matthew complained, “They just went easy on you because you’re a girl.” Didn’t matter that any number of “girls” now littered the pool with dripping wet hair.
But Taylor would never forget the final push that sent her falling into the water, bending Michael back with her. He’d released her with ease and was quick to pull her up and out of the way of flailing limbs and laughing people. In the midst of the chaos they’d stood for long moments, bodies touching, eyes locked, until the winners were finally determined.
The signal came naturally then. Holding his gaze, she nestled closer, letting her hands find his hips through the wet swim trunks he wore.
Even if the piercing look in his eyes hadn’t clued her in, the hard erection pressed against her belly would have. She had a feeling Michael’s days of waiting had just come to an end.
Comment today with your favorite way to celebrate your summer holidays, and I'll select 1 winner to receive an ecopy of one of my backlist books, along with a $10 Amazon or B&N giftcard! Sign up for my newsletter, and receive a second entry.
And don't forget to visit the other Nice Girl blogs, found here. Commenting on all of them enters you to win the Grand Prize!
Thanks for joining me today! Dani
Welcome to my version of My Sexy Saturday's Sexy Me Down blogs! I knew Emma and Colin were perfect for this week...I hope you agree! Enjoy this excerpt from BENEATH THE SURFACE, Small Town Secrets, Book 1.
“Emma,” he breathed, the word almost a groan. He moved as if to reach for her but then dropped back, sliding his hands into the hip pockets of his jeans. “Emma, you have every right to hate me. I can’t tell you how many nights I lay awake, kicking myself because I left you like that. I made a stupid mistake, based on youth and wrong assumptions. If I could take it back, change it, I would.”
“Why?” she asked, surprised at the words coming out of her mouth. But the injustice of his actions, her own hurt and pain, pushed her forward. “Why did you do it?”
He didn’t pretend not to understand. As he spoke, the heaviness of that night hit her hard.
“I made a mistake, Emma. A mistake I’ve been sorry for every day since then. I wish I had walked right in and beat the hell out of all of them. Instead I turned my back on you. Not for long, but a lot could have happened before I walked back in that door. A lot did happen.”
As if she were back at that time, she saw the boys surrounding her. Five of them, all grown to man size without the maturity to match. She’d thought she was going to a party, a party she’d been told Colin would be attending. Instead the party had actually been a private one, where a group of boys expected to get something a lot deeper than dancing and a few drinks. When she’d realized what they were after, she’d been appalled. Fear had quickly set in when they’d made it clear they expected her to follow through.
Colin’s appearance had been a welcome relief, but he’d taken one look at her in the short skirt and skimpy top her sister had loaned her and turned away in disgust.
Her voice came out a husky whisper. “You came back?”
Available at: Barnes & Noble Amazon
Add it to your To Be Read shelf on Goodreads!
Sign up for my author newsletter for news, upcoming releases, contests, AND a free novella, SNOW BOUND (which happens to be part of the Small Town Secrets series too!)! Join today!
DON'T FORGET to find more delicious sexy goodness on the other My Sexy Saturday blogs! Click here for the list.
“Emma,” he breathed, the word almost a groan. He moved as if to reach for her but then dropped back, sliding his hands into the hip pockets of his jeans. “Emma, you have every right to hate me. I can’t tell you how many nights I lay awake, kicking myself because I left you like that. I made a stupid mistake, based on youth and wrong assumptions. If I could take it back, change it, I would.”
“Why?” she asked, surprised at the words coming out of her mouth. But the injustice of his actions, her own hurt and pain, pushed her forward. “Why did you do it?”
He didn’t pretend not to understand. As he spoke, the heaviness of that night hit her hard.
“I made a mistake, Emma. A mistake I’ve been sorry for every day since then. I wish I had walked right in and beat the hell out of all of them. Instead I turned my back on you. Not for long, but a lot could have happened before I walked back in that door. A lot did happen.”
As if she were back at that time, she saw the boys surrounding her. Five of them, all grown to man size without the maturity to match. She’d thought she was going to a party, a party she’d been told Colin would be attending. Instead the party had actually been a private one, where a group of boys expected to get something a lot deeper than dancing and a few drinks. When she’d realized what they were after, she’d been appalled. Fear had quickly set in when they’d made it clear they expected her to follow through.
Colin’s appearance had been a welcome relief, but he’d taken one look at her in the short skirt and skimpy top her sister had loaned her and turned away in disgust.
Her voice came out a husky whisper. “You came back?”
Available at: Barnes & Noble Amazon
Add it to your To Be Read shelf on Goodreads!
Sign up for my author newsletter for news, upcoming releases, contests, AND a free novella, SNOW BOUND (which happens to be part of the Small Town Secrets series too!)! Join today!
DON'T FORGET to find more delicious sexy goodness on the other My Sexy Saturday blogs! Click here for the list.
This week I'm participating in Book Boyfriends Cafe's Hot for Friday! Today I'm sharing a Hot and Bothered excerpt from one of my Book Boyfriends with you today! Here's Colin from Beneath the Surface at one of my favorite times he was Hot and Bothered:
The door to the bathroom swung open, and Emma stood posed in the frame, one arm draped up over her head along the wood, the other resting on her cocked hip. It would have been innocent enough if she hadn’t been wearing the short skirt and button-down shirt they’d picked up at the emporium. Colin pressed Play on the remote control before all the blood rushed from his head and left him stupid.
One step and he was in serious trouble.
Not only did she look different, she walked differently. As if someone had dialed up the sensuality level on her movements. Normally she had a slight sway to her hips that flowed down her legs, creating a womanly swing that sent him humming. Now she strutted, exaggerating her hips with an almost twist that accentuated the toned muscles of her bare legs.
And the heels. Oh. My. God. What they did to her walk.
He almost asked her to turn around so he could see what they did for her ass, but figured he didn’t want his head to explode…yet.
Heat crept up his spine, and his heartbeat went into overdrive. As his gaze slid up over her incredible assets, he met her hooded gaze. The breath stopped in his throat.
It was the same look she’d had while they were having sex. His body responded to the instant flash of memories. Lips open as if they were panting, eyes mysterious and heavy-lidded. She stared straight at him as she advanced to the beat of the music, not looking away or over him as he’d expected her to.
She walked straight to the chair opposite him and swung a leg out to straddle it, facing away. The remote dropped to the floor at the flash of the curve of her ass cheek and the garter holding up her sheer stockings.
He bit his lip to keep from groaning. His only wish was that she’d sat on him instead.
Her body moved and twisted to the sensuous rhythm of the music, her hips gliding back and forth as if she pleasured herself on the chair. Breath bellowed through Colin’s chest.
Holy shit. This woman had no need for training. Two seconds and she had him ready to shoot his load without even a touch. He didn’t look away from the movement on the lower half of her body, begging in his mind for the skirt to rise enough to give him another glimpse of her ass. It didn’t until she stood, swinging herself around to face him in one fluid movement.
BENEATH THE SURFACE
Too many secrets…
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret gathering exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.
A past not forgotten…
Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin sister, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.
Time is running out…
Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
Don't forget to check out these other Book Boyfriends at the Cafe!
BENEATH THE SURFACE is available at Amazon and B&N.
The door to the bathroom swung open, and Emma stood posed in the frame, one arm draped up over her head along the wood, the other resting on her cocked hip. It would have been innocent enough if she hadn’t been wearing the short skirt and button-down shirt they’d picked up at the emporium. Colin pressed Play on the remote control before all the blood rushed from his head and left him stupid.
One step and he was in serious trouble.
Not only did she look different, she walked differently. As if someone had dialed up the sensuality level on her movements. Normally she had a slight sway to her hips that flowed down her legs, creating a womanly swing that sent him humming. Now she strutted, exaggerating her hips with an almost twist that accentuated the toned muscles of her bare legs.
And the heels. Oh. My. God. What they did to her walk.
He almost asked her to turn around so he could see what they did for her ass, but figured he didn’t want his head to explode…yet.
Heat crept up his spine, and his heartbeat went into overdrive. As his gaze slid up over her incredible assets, he met her hooded gaze. The breath stopped in his throat.
It was the same look she’d had while they were having sex. His body responded to the instant flash of memories. Lips open as if they were panting, eyes mysterious and heavy-lidded. She stared straight at him as she advanced to the beat of the music, not looking away or over him as he’d expected her to.
She walked straight to the chair opposite him and swung a leg out to straddle it, facing away. The remote dropped to the floor at the flash of the curve of her ass cheek and the garter holding up her sheer stockings.
He bit his lip to keep from groaning. His only wish was that she’d sat on him instead.
Her body moved and twisted to the sensuous rhythm of the music, her hips gliding back and forth as if she pleasured herself on the chair. Breath bellowed through Colin’s chest.
Holy shit. This woman had no need for training. Two seconds and she had him ready to shoot his load without even a touch. He didn’t look away from the movement on the lower half of her body, begging in his mind for the skirt to rise enough to give him another glimpse of her ass. It didn’t until she stood, swinging herself around to face him in one fluid movement.
BENEATH THE SURFACE
Too many secrets…
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret gathering exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.
A past not forgotten…
Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin sister, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.
Time is running out…
Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
Don't forget to check out these other Book Boyfriends at the Cafe!
BENEATH THE SURFACE is available at Amazon and B&N.
Music provides a large amount of inspiration for me. I listen to music a lot, and often wake up with a song playing in my head. (I just hope it's one that doesn't annoy me. Nothing worse than a bad ear worm!)
Every one of my books has a theme song or playlist. I use them to zero in on a particular character’s motivation or state of mind. Music also sets the mood for certain scenes or conversations.
Recently I ran into a snag with Nate's book (Backstage Pass Book 4) and realized that the heroine, Sara, didn't have her own song. So I started going through my music. Usually, I'll run across something that will just click, and I know it's right.
But nothing came up for Sara. Then one morning, I woke up with a song running through my head – one I hadn't heard in many years, but I instantly knew it was Sara’s theme.
http://youtu.be/bhWEI6-_w9E
Love this! Not slow or sad. Even though Sara’s past has granted her the right to be those things, she chooses to focus on the present. Working hard and enjoying life – preferably with the man who has treated her like a little sister for years. Here's hoping she gets him for an eternity, not just the weekend that he's offering.
What's your favorite "old school" song?
Dani
Recently I ran into a snag with Nate's book (Backstage Pass Book 4) and realized that the heroine, Sara, didn't have her own song. So I started going through my music. Usually, I'll run across something that will just click, and I know it's right.
But nothing came up for Sara. Then one morning, I woke up with a song running through my head – one I hadn't heard in many years, but I instantly knew it was Sara’s theme.
http://youtu.be/bhWEI6-_w9E
Love this! Not slow or sad. Even though Sara’s past has granted her the right to be those things, she chooses to focus on the present. Working hard and enjoying life – preferably with the man who has treated her like a little sister for years. Here's hoping she gets him for an eternity, not just the weekend that he's offering.
What's your favorite "old school" song?
Dani
This time I’m torturing straightlaced, uber planner Jacob Blackstone has his life mapped out… His detour with impulsive KC Gatlin was a wild aberration…until he found out that she gave birth to his child. #bookrelease
"I WANT MY SON."
When Jacob Blackstone sees his former flame holding a baby with the Blackstone blond curls, the Southern millionaire knows the child is his. But why would down-on-her-luck bartender KC Gatlin keep Jacob's heir a secret? Now the bachelor who wanted a family on his own terms must rush to convince the fiercely protective beauty he's daddy material.
KC must tell Jacob the truth about why she kept his son from him or risk losing her beloved baby. When the gorgeous mill owner suggests a trial run at domesticity, she can't resist. But is true love part of this baby deal?
Follow the journey of the founding family of Black Hills, South Carolina.
Amazon B&N Harlequin
"I WANT MY SON."
When Jacob Blackstone sees his former flame holding a baby with the Blackstone blond curls, the Southern millionaire knows the child is his. But why would down-on-her-luck bartender KC Gatlin keep Jacob's heir a secret? Now the bachelor who wanted a family on his own terms must rush to convince the fiercely protective beauty he's daddy material.
KC must tell Jacob the truth about why she kept his son from him or risk losing her beloved baby. When the gorgeous mill owner suggests a trial run at domesticity, she can't resist. But is true love part of this baby deal?
Follow the journey of the founding family of Black Hills, South Carolina.
Amazon B&N Harlequin
I'm working on Mill Town Millionaires Book 3, Luke and Avery's book. Bear with me while I dig in deep at the beginning and get this off to a good start. To me, there's nothing sexier than a man in pursuit of a woman. Jake has been craving KC for over a year. Now she's right in front of him, and he can't wait for another taste!
I hope you enjoy this My Sexy Saturday excerpt from THE BLACKSTONE HEIR, Mill Town Millionaires Book 2.
“Excuse me, guys.” Leaving his brothers staring after him, he made his way around tables to cross the room. They’d been in their corner for an hour while KC tended bar and she hadn’t looked directly at him a single time. Every second without that connection had itched below his skin until he couldn’t even concentrate on the conversation. He’d deliberately kept their relationship out of the local headlines, but Jacob was desperate enough to risk a little limelight right now.
Oh boy. His attitude made him very afraid he might step into stalker mode now that the possibility of seeing her around was very, very real. Some days, thoughts of KC had made him feel as if he was losing his mind.
He braced himself for KC’s special brand of sarcasm. Something that had been noticeably lacking this morning.
“Jake. What brings you in tonight?”
You. Jacob ground his teeth together. Not because the shortening of his name bothered him, but because hearing it said in KC Gatlin’s husky voice reminded him of evenings being soothed by her presence after an upsetting day with his mom. Reminded him of long nights between the sheets. Far too distant memories.
“Do I need a reason? Can’t I just enjoy the opportunity to watch a beautiful woman work the crowd?”
For the better part of a year, such a simple comment would have had her eyes sparkling, those full, naturally red lips tilting into a luscious smile, her mouth ready and willing to talk back. But not tonight.
“You never came to watch me before,” she said, then dropped her gaze to the bar and started scrubbing, leaving him bereft once more. So, she wasn’t gonna make this easy.
Available for pre-order on Amazon, B&N, and Harlequin.com. On the virtual shelves February 1st!
I’m not hooked on a lot of television series anymore. Between jobs and dreaming up stories, I just don’t have the time to watch a lot of tv. And I don’t let myself take the time because, frankly, I love it. J I could spend all my free time watching other people’s stories.
But there are a few series I’m still hooked too. I try to watch them on Netflix when I can fit them into other things. I’m in love with Criminal Minds, with that smart team and sexy heroes. I’ve also been roped into Supernatural, thanks to Book Worm. The thing I love about series is the recurring characters—it gives me a chance to know more and more about them.
I love the same thing about book series. I’ve written 2 Indie series now, which still have books in the works. I started my first with Harlequin last August, the Mill Town Millionaires. The second will release in a few short weeks. THE BLACKSTONE HEIR is the story of Jacob Blackstone, and the son he didn’t know he had with the woman he thought was all wrong for him. Boy, does he learn differently! I’m also working with my editor on Jacob’s twin, Lucas Blackstone’s book. Can’t wait!
Do you have a favorite book or tv series you’re obsessing over right now? Share (I could always use a new obsession!).
Dani
THE BLACKSTONE HEIR, Mill Town Millionaires Book 3
Available for Pre-order Now.
"I WANT MY SON."
When Jacob Blackstone sees his former flame holding a baby with the Blackstone blond curls, the Southern millionaire knows the child is his. But why would down-on-her-luck bartender KC Gatlin keep Jacob's heir a secret? Now the bachelor who wanted a family on his own terms must rush to convince the fiercely protective beauty he's daddy material.
KC must tell Jacob the truth about why she kept his son from him or risk losing her beloved baby. When the gorgeous mill owner suggests a trial run at domesticity, she can't resist. But is true love part of this baby deal?
But there are a few series I’m still hooked too. I try to watch them on Netflix when I can fit them into other things. I’m in love with Criminal Minds, with that smart team and sexy heroes. I’ve also been roped into Supernatural, thanks to Book Worm. The thing I love about series is the recurring characters—it gives me a chance to know more and more about them.
I love the same thing about book series. I’ve written 2 Indie series now, which still have books in the works. I started my first with Harlequin last August, the Mill Town Millionaires. The second will release in a few short weeks. THE BLACKSTONE HEIR is the story of Jacob Blackstone, and the son he didn’t know he had with the woman he thought was all wrong for him. Boy, does he learn differently! I’m also working with my editor on Jacob’s twin, Lucas Blackstone’s book. Can’t wait!
Do you have a favorite book or tv series you’re obsessing over right now? Share (I could always use a new obsession!).
Dani
THE BLACKSTONE HEIR, Mill Town Millionaires Book 3
Available for Pre-order Now.
"I WANT MY SON."
When Jacob Blackstone sees his former flame holding a baby with the Blackstone blond curls, the Southern millionaire knows the child is his. But why would down-on-her-luck bartender KC Gatlin keep Jacob's heir a secret? Now the bachelor who wanted a family on his own terms must rush to convince the fiercely protective beauty he's daddy material.
KC must tell Jacob the truth about why she kept his son from him or risk losing her beloved baby. When the gorgeous mill owner suggests a trial run at domesticity, she can't resist. But is true love part of this baby deal?
I'm excited to be joining fellow Nice Girls Writing Naughty author Cynthia Sax for an interview about my newest release, BENEATH THE SURFACE, and what I love so much about it (and hope you do too). While you're there, check out some of Cynthia's hot, hot romances! She has a very cool serial being released right now that I'm following, both to see how the releases are handled, and to see how the story ends. :)
I'm hanging out over on Ella Sheridan's blog to celebrate the release of BENEATH THE SURFACE this week! For those of you who don't know yet, Ella Sheridan is my twin sister, so we are talking about twins, and their influence on my new book. I'd love for you to stop by and ask questions or simply comment!
Yes, BENEATH THE SURFACE is live on Amazon! I'm working on the other sites as we speak. It's on sale for a week only at 99 cents! Get this start to my new series before the price goes up.
Enjoy!
Dani
Yes, BENEATH THE SURFACE is live on Amazon! I'm working on the other sites as we speak. It's on sale for a week only at 99 cents! Get this start to my new series before the price goes up.
Enjoy!
Dani