Shelli Stevens

Snippet Saturday ~ Try a little tenderness

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:00:09 +0000

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is Try a little tenderness! Make out! Enjoy my excerpt and then blog hop to the other blogs listed below.

There’s nothing he won’t do…

Searching for adventure, Chloe doesn’t expect to find it in the dark, sexy man who makes his desire—and his intentions to bed her—blatantly clear. Working at one of Spain’s most exclusive resorts, she soon discovers her new lover isn’t just a guest, but the powerful and ruthless owner.

Hotel tycoon Andrés Montero’s reputation as Spain’s most elusive bachelor billionaire is slow to trust. And when Andres believes his relationship with Chloe is born from a more sinister purpose, he ends their affair with the harshness of a business deal gone sour.

But the realization that Chloe is carrying his baby brings Andrés back into her life, and there’s nothing he won’t do to protect his unborn child—and claim the woman he still secretly desires. Even if he must resort to blackmail.

Available on Kindle | Nook | Smashwords

EXCERPT

Chloe listened to the calming metronome of Andrés’s heartbeat, the dark hair on his hard chest tickling her cheek. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the smell of man and the saltiness of the sea. The memory of his kiss earlier tonight flickered through her mind and her pulse jumped. It didn’t take long for the thoughts of the attack on the beach to fade away. She was soon cloaked in the unexpected sensuality of the present. Nothing else mattered except the man who now held her.

Something stirred inside her. Something hot, potent, and startling. Maybe it was just her body responding to the presence of such a virile, near-naked man. To his confidence and protectiveness. Whatever it was, everything within her reacted.

The heat moving through her body spread low, creating a sweet ache between her thighs. Her breasts swelled and she squeezed her eyes closed tighter, embarrassed by her blatant reaction to being in his arms.

She shouldn’t be having this response. Not after what had just nearly happened.

What on earth is wrong with me?

Cristos, he wanted this woman.

Andrés hardened his jaw, trying to keep his arousal at bay to avoid startling her with a very physical reaction. In his embrace, Chloe was so small and defenseless. Deliciously feminine. He tightened his arms around her slim body; jolted with another stab of protectiveness. It was an unfamiliar emotion, and he hesitated to question why she brought it out in him.

Stroking a hand through her hair, he pressed a soft kiss against her forehead.

He should have beaten the man within an inch of his life. Hell, it was no less than the bastard deserved. If he’d been thinking more clearly, beyond the rage, he would have detained the man and called the authorities. He would make a call when he returned to the hotel and have the man hunted down. He still had a fairly good memory of the man’s physical description.

Chloe turned in his embrace and the softness of her breast brushed against his arm. Andrés could’ve sworn her lips touched his naked skin. Desire fired through his blood and he clenched his teeth, unable to stop his body’s reaction this time.

She inhaled swiftly and another tremble rocked her body.

“You are chilled,” he said roughly, and began to set her away from him so he could reach for a blanket.

“No, please don’t leave,” she pleaded, gripping his arm to stop his movement. She glanced up at him through her lashes and he saw desire in her eyes that matched his own. Then she whispered, “I’m not cold.”

Dios. She must know what she was saying. He shouldn’t…and yet he knew he could no more stop himself from what he was about to do than stop the sun from rising in the morning.

Andrés caught her chin in a light grip and tilted her head, bringing her mouth up in an offering he would not resist. His lips covered hers, gently, catching the soft sigh she gave. Chloe turned fully in his grasp, facing him now, and slid her arms around his neck. Her mouth parted beneath his.

He hauled her against him, crushing the mounds of her breasts against his bare chest. Delving his tongue into her mouth, he teased her, drove them both to a breathless fervor. Just as it had been earlier, the urgency in his blood shocked him. Never had he been so close to losing control with a woman. Never did he feel such a need to claim her.

Tearing his mouth free from hers, he tilted her back over his arm to bury his mouth against the hollow of her throat. The sweetness of her skin tempted him to flick his tongue against the rapidly beating pulse in her neck.

He moved a hand between them to cup the fullness of one breast, thrilling at the moan she made. Even through the stretchy fabric of her bikini top her hardened nipple pressed into his palm.

Sí. She wanted him.

Shelli Stevens
Caris Roane
Eliza Gayle
McKenna Jeffries
http://shilohwalker.com/website
Taige Crenshaw
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels
Lauren Dane
Jody Wallace
Leah Braemel
Mandy M. Roth
Felicity Heaton

Snippet Saturday ~ They Call It the Blues-Breakup

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 08:00:01 +0000

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is They Call it the Blues. Breakup! Enjoy my excerpt and then blog hop to the other blogs listed below.

Something’s hot in Seattle, and it’s not just the espresso.

The Seattle Steam Series

Madison’s needs are simple. All she wants are two things: Make Ooo La Latté the newest trend in espresso, and seduce the sexiest cop in Seattle. But things aren’t going exactly as planned.

First, Gabe’s a little hung up on the fact that she’s his best friend’s little sister, and he’s determined to keep his hands off. Second, her shop gets robbed by the increasingly violent Espresso Bandit, and now she’s the only one who can identify him.

Gabe whisks her into hiding for her own protection, but soon finds his heart is under assault by the luscious—and persistent—Madison. But no matter where they hide, danger follows.

On such dangerous grounds, the trick will be to live long enough to keep the flame alive.

EXCERPT

That settled it. The next person to ask why she had come to the party alone was getting the bowl of guacamole thrown at them.

Madison Phillips squeezed her hand around a diet soda, crushing the can and raising the level of the cola. Taking a deep breath, she looked at her brother, who stood below a banner proclaiming, “Welcome home, Eric!”

Her scowl deepened. Not because Eric had returned home from fighting in Iraq—she was more than proud of that. No, it was because he had his beautiful girlfriend snuggled under his arm. They looked so in love it made her nauseous. There were at least a dozen of them—happy couples spread about and looking like they couldn’t wait to get back to the bedroom.

Being the only person without a date, she felt like the damn black sheep of the room. She felt ridiculously self-conscious. But more than that, she felt alone.

“Hi, Madison. Isn’t it great to have your brother home?” Her cousin Stacia passed the refreshment table and grabbed a chip, stuffing it in her mouth. “Hey, where’s Bradley?”

Madison glanced at the bowl of guacamole. Hmm. If I dumped it on her pink cashmere sweater, she’d look kind of like a watermelon. She glanced back up, forcing a polite smile onto her face as she shrugged.

“We’re no longer together.”

“What?” Her cousin’s jaw dropped, her voice rising with unnecessary drama. She leaned forward and stage whispered, “Was it a mutual thing?”

Madison sighed. “No, Stacia. It wasn’t a mutual thing. He broke up with me.”

“Really? The bastard! He should’ve put a ring on your finger a long time ago.”

Madison blinked, her stomach clenching at the fact her cousin had brought up such an awkward subject in a room full of people.

Most of the people in the room had turned toward them, their expressions ones of sympathy. I’m not related to this woman. It’s impossible. Stacia must have been the result of an extramarital affair.

“And aren’t you tactful.” She didn’t have the energy to be polite anymore, but winced as the words left her mouth. “I’m sorry. Excuse me, I just need some air.”

She walked away before she could say anything else bitchy.

Seeing all those couples had also brought up some other feelings. The realization at just how long she’d gone without sex. Though Bradley had just dumped her two days ago, they hadn’t done the wild thing since Valentine’s Day. Four months without getting laid should be considered a crime. Talk about a constant state of horniness.

“Hey, kid.” Eric caught her just before she stepped outside. “Thanks for the party.”

Her annoyance faded, replaced by a warm affection for her brother. Ignoring the kid label, she murmured, “It’s the least we could do.”

“Did you behave yourself while I was gone? Not doing anything too dangerous or crazy, are you?”

Even after just returning from a war zone, her brother’s concerns were about her. He was so damn protective. Always had been.

She lifted an eyebrow. “I’m always on my best behavior, remember?”

“Wait, are we talking about the same Madison Phillips?” He tweaked a strand of her hair. “I worry about you, kid.”

“I know you do. And it’s very sweet. Have you made the rounds socializing with all the relatives?”

“Most of them. I’ve been avoiding Stacia, though. Never could handle her.”

Her lips twitched into a smile. “Yeah, good call on that one.”

“Well. I guess I’d better get back to the party. Be inside in about an hour, okay? I’ve got a surprise.”

“All right, have fun.” She gave him a quick hug, and slipped outside onto the balcony.

She rested her arms on the stone railing and stared out into the night, taking a moment to consider her new status as a single woman. She needed to move on, and fast. What was that saying? The best way to get over someone was to get under someone. Easier said than done, though.

Her thoughts were momentarily distracted by the view in front of her. She’d never get used to it. Her parents’ home sat atop Queen Anne Hill and looked out over the Seattle skyline. Tonight the buildings twinkled through a clear night, and the Space Needle seemed close enough to touch.

She sighed and inhaled the warm spring air. Her mind turned back to the idea of meeting a man just for fun. Rebound sex. Hmm, not a bad idea, but could she actually do it? Having casual sex had never been her thing.

Though it was inevitable that the next person she tried to sleep with would pretty much just turn out to be the transition guy. Why not choose the time and the man, and get it over with? She could find someone available, attractive, and with no strings attached. Besides, getting laid would be good for her.

Images flitted through her head. Images of a man’s weight pinning her to the bed while he moved deep inside her. Her sex clenched, wanting something to fill the constant ache.

“You know…I think I’m gonna do it,” she muttered aloud.

“Do what?”

She spun from the railing, her eyes widening with surprise as she made out the shape of a man half-hidden in the shadows.

He stepped forward into the light and her breath caught.

Thank you, God. Whoever had coined the expression tall, dark, and handsome must’ve meant this man. His eyes were a dark coffee brown, the expression in them closed off and unreadable. He had short hair, just darker than his eyes. Even if the trace of accent hadn’t colored his voice, his features gave away his Latino heritage. And the body? He had Bradley beat hands down.

Her body, already jacked up from the possibility of having sex, grew warm and tingly.

“Are you done?”

Madison’s gaze snapped back up to meet his. Done? She hadn’t even gotten started. If she planned on going through with this, then he had to be her man. Gabriel Martinez—her brother’s best friend. Her mind compared the Gabe from several years ago to the Gabe now standing in front of her. He was, without a doubt, a sex god. A sex god who would be her rebound. Well, if he could be persuaded.

“Am I done?” She licked her lips. “What do you mean?”

“Giving me a visual inspection.”

His voice ran deep, with the slightest bit of abrasiveness to it. You knew right away this was a man you didn’t want to piss off. Good thing he sounded somewhat amused.

“Well, now.” She stepped forward and tilted her head, giving him a small smile.

“What if I said that you require closer inspection?”

“Nice.” He shook his head and then smiled. “Were you always this much of a flirt, Maddie?”

“Sorry, Gabe. I haven’t seen you in a while and am just discovering that being a cop has been good to you.” Her gaze drifted down his body again. Tall, muscular, hard. “Very good to you.”

Shelli Stevens
Caris Roane
Eliza Gayle
McKenna Jeffries
http://shilohwalker.com/website
Taige Crenshaw
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels
Lauren Dane

Snippet Saturday ~ Author’s Choice

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 14:27:47 +0000

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is Author’s Choice. Enjoy my excerpt and then blog hop to the other blogs listed below.

The line between friends and lovers can get a little blurry…especially when you add tequila.

A Chances Are story.

Gabby is serious about her search for Mr. Right, but no one can say she hasn’t had a good time looking. She enjoys her numerous dates and the sex that comes with them. Until she finds herself falling for the one man she vows to never love. Her best friend and roommate, Justin. A player in every sense of the word—and a reminder of her awful past.

One night, with the help of a bottle of tequila, things get a little too hot for comfort. She moves out, intent on removing him from the line of temptation.

Justin has different plans. The tequila did more than just change how he sees his good friend. It made him realize he doesn’t want to be just friends any more. He’s ready for something more intimate, and he’ll do whatever it takes to find out why she’s running. And convince her to stay.

Buy at Samhain Publishing | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

EXCERPT

“Look at me, Gab.”

Her shoulders rose with the deep breath she dragged in, and then she tilted her head to give him a sideways glance. Her eyes were carefully schooled. He knew that look. She’d come to poker night too many times with the guys for him to not recognize that you won’t get shit out of me look.

“I want you to be completely honest with me,” he said quietly and tightened his grip on her hand—her dainty, soft hand. His brows drew together. Had her hands always been this feminine?

“Okay.” She arched an eyebrow. “Are you going to ask it?”

He shook his head, wondering how the hell she was managing to get him so damn flustered.

“Yeah. I’m gonna ask it,” he said gruffly and then focused his attention on her face again. “Did you move out because of that night?”

The only sign that he’d shocked her was the slight widening of her eyes. But then she narrowed them just as quickly and a sardonic grin slipped across her mouth.

“That night? Ah, Justin, you’re going to have to be a lot more specific than that. We lived together for a couple of years.”

“Damn it, Gab. Don’t pull that crap on me. Anyone else might buy it, but I don’t.” He scowled. “You know exactly which night I’m talking about.”

Her fingers arched against his hand, but he didn’t loosen his grip. The slight smell of sweat from their run lingered in the room, with the overlying scent of her lotion. Some melon thing she’d worn the entire time he’d known her. It had never seemed seductive before, but now…

She lowered her gaze from his and her tongue swept across her bottom lip before retreating safely back into her mouth.

Desire stirred low in his groin and his next breath in wasn’t quite as steady. Jesus. He still wanted her.

The idea rocked him to his core.

Bad idea, Justin.

“Are you telling me—” He leaned forward and caught her chin, his face just inches from hers. Very bad idea, Justin. “—that you don’t remember this?”

The need to remind her of that night consumed him. Her eyes widened in trepidation, just before he lowered his mouth down onto hers.

So soft. So sweet.

When she would have pushed him away, he moved his palm to her back and held her still, moving his mouth against hers.

Half a year. How had he gone a half a year without her? And why had it taken two years for them to reach this level of intimacy?

His tongue teased the crease of her mouth open, and then slid inside to taste her.

The angry sound she made morphed into a frustrated moan and finally one of surrender. Her tongue moved out to meet his—almost angry in the bold strokes she made to tease him.

Justin’s blood pounded through his veins. His entire being focused on the smell of her, the press of her breasts against his chest, and the soft sounds she made as she kissed him back. Sounds that alternated between pleasure and frustration.

Her hands slid up to his shoulders to wrap around his neck, pressing her body snugger against his. The scrape of her hardened nipples against his chest sent another rush of blood to his cock, bringing it fully erect. He groaned, grateful for his loose running pants.

He explored her mouth thoroughly, teasing the hidden spots before returning to spar with her tongue.

His hands, which had been resting on her waist, slid up her ribcage to just under her breasts.

He barely hesitated before sweeping his thumbs up to stroke over the tight peaks of her breasts. He lifted his lips from hers just a fraction to allow her strangled gasp, before he captured her mouth again.

All rational thoughts on why he’d come here tonight—because it couldn’t have been for this, could it?—abandoned his mind. The need to touch her naked skin, to taste the salty sweet softness of her flesh, swept through him.

He deepened the kiss, caught her nipple between two fingers and pinched, all while easing her onto her back on the couch. It was a move he’d mastered in years of seducing women.

Tonight it failed.

Gabby wrenched her mouth from his, shoving him so hard he fell off her and onto the floor.

“Stop.” She scurried off the couch and across the room from him. “What was that, Justin? What the hell was that?”

He winced, picking himself up from the floor. His balls ached and his dick still throbbed with the need to be buried inside her. Inside…Gabby. Shit.
Leah Braemel

Snippet Saturday ~ I need a hero

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:57:46 +0000

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is I Need a Hero! Check out my excerpt from Good Girl Gone Plaid (now available for pre-order!) and then blog hop around to read the others!

Falling for the bad boy is even more dangerous the second time around.

The McLaughlins, Book 1

In high school Sarah fell for her best friend’s older brother—one of the sexy, Scottish McLaughlin boys. But a painful betrayal showed her she’d been a fool to give her heart to a bad boy. At least it made it easier to leave him and move halfway around the world when her Navy dad got stationed in Japan.

Eleven years later, the death of her grandmother has forced Sarah back to Whidbey Island for a month. It’s the length of time she must stay in her inherited house before she’s allowed to sell it, take the money and run. But when she sees Ian, bad as ever and still looking like sin on a stick, she can’t keep her mouth from watering.

One look at Sarah stirs up the regret lingering in Ian’s heart—and never-forgotten desire lingering in his body. He should walk away, especially since divorced single mothers aren’t his style. But when she starts showing up at his family’s pub, he can’t resist a little casual seduction for old time’s sake.

One thing quickly becomes clear, though. The heat between them is causing an avalanche of secrets and betrayal and nothing will ever be the same.

June 11th, 2013

Now available for pre-order at Amazon

EXCERPT

“Give me a Glennfidich 18. Neat.” Ian kept his hands folded and his gaze on the bar counter, but he could still feel the surprise in his eldest brother’s stare.

The pub was near empty—apparently Old Man Cooper had gone home already as well.

“You do realize it’s just about lunch time.” Aleck made his way down the bar until he was positioned right in front of him. “And you’ve gone and ordered one of the most expensive spirits we have?”

“You think I’m daft, big brother? Shut your mouth and just pour it already.” Scowling, Ian lifted his head to make sure his brother hadn’t taken offense.

Aleck, the eldest of all the McLaughlin kids was now sole owner of the pub. He didn’t seem the slightest bit offended by his brother’s comments. He was used to Ian’s quick temper. Instead, his green eyes crinkled around the edges with laughter and his mouth was twisted into a slight smirk.

“Aye, I’ll give ya your drink. So long as you fill me in on why the fook you’re in such a foul mood.” Aleck’s accent had always been the thickest and slowest to fade.

“As if you don’t know.” Ian accepted the shot and glared at his brother. “Go bring Kenzie a tire, you say. As if you don’t know just who exactly you were throwing in my path.”

“No. I haven’t a clue.”

The genuine bewilderment on Aleck’s face convinced him that maybe his brother wasn’t lying.

“Look, Kenzie called and said she was in a bit of a mess and needed me to come out and bring her a tire. She didn’t say she was with anyone.” Aleck placed the bottle of scotch back up on the shelf with the other bottles of spirits. “Fill me in already. Who was with her?”

“Sarah,” Ian finally growled.

“Sorry, who? Tera?”

Ian tipped back the scotch and slammed the glass on the bar. “Sarah.”

“Sarah?” Aleck went still and tilted his head. “As in your Sarah? The good girl you shagged around with in your youth?”

“Aye. That’d be her.” He stared into his empty shot glass, not seeing the drop of amber liquid, but instead the image of Sarah half-naked in the back of his Camaro. “And I wouldn’t necessarily call her a good girl.”

“Wasn’t she now? One step from the nunnery from the impression I got.” Aleck grinned. “Though I’m sure any corruption she acquired back then came from your doing.”

“Hmm. Maybe.” The single malt scotch had warmed his insides and taken the sharp edges off the memory of his encounter with Sarah.

“So, how was it seeing her again?”

“Oh just fucking fantastic.” He gave a harsh laugh and pushed the empty glass to his brother. “Nearly as fantastic as taking a foot to the balls, I’d imagine.”

“That lovely? Was she mean? Did she go and hurt your feelings?” Aleck teased good-naturedly.

“No.” Ian hesitated, unable to share the humor. “More like I hurt her. I probably said some things I shouldn’t have.”

Aleck nodded. “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time either one of you has let your temper best you. You want another drink?”

“No.” Ian thrust a hand through his hair. “Wait, aye. One more.”

His brother grabbed the bottle and poured another glass. “I’m sorry. But let me guess. She’s fallen toward the ugly side and is as warm and cuddly as a porcupine?”

“Perhaps on the porcupine bit, but she’s not ugly.” He drank the second round. “She’s prettier now, if you can believe it.”

“Hmm. I’m trying to remember her. Short?”

“Petite. And she’d punch you in the stomach if she heard you call her short.”

“Which is probably as high as she can reach,” Aleck mused. “Long black hair, I think?” Ian nodded.

“Aye, I remember her hair. She was a pretty thing. Quite exotic. She had that hint of olive skin, but blue eyes. I’m surprised you captured her interest. Back then she was too innocent for the likes of you.”

And maybe still was. He’d calmed down considerably from what he’d been in his teen years. But he wasn’t an idiot. Ian knew his reputation on the island, and his bad boy image hadn’t fully gone away. Then again, he hadn’t done much to dissuade it.

“Will you see her again?”

“I doubt it. I don’t think she cared much for seeing me today, to be honest.”

“Aye, well you didn’t end on the best terms. Am I right?”

No. They certainly hadn’t. Just the memory of it was like taking a two-by-four to the chest. His jaw clenched against the wave of guilt and pain. Both emotions had been violently at war that day—as much as they still were now. Beneath those two emotions had been another one. Bitter disappointment. And it was always there. Hot and dark, running a river of anger through his blood.

He didn’t think about it much. Couldn’t go there in his head, because it was all such a mind fuck.

“There’s a reason the past is behind you.” Aleck’s quiet words resonated through the warm haze the Glennfidich had left.

“Aye. And it’ll stay there, no need to worry about that.”

Shelli Stevens
Mari Carr

Lauren Dane

Snippet Saturday ~ Author’s Choice

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 08:00:44 +0000

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is Action. Check out my excerpt from and then blog hop around to read the others!

Falling for the bad boy is even more dangerous the second time around.

The McLaughlins, Book 1

One thing quickly becomes clear, though. The heat between them is causing an avalanche of secrets and betrayal and nothing will ever be the same.

coming June 2013

EXCERPT

The car began to slow in a jerky spurts, and the thud, thud, thud came from what sounded like a flat tire.

Kenzie maneuvered the car to the side of the road and put it in park. She glanced over at Sarah and winced.

“Umm…”

“Flat tire? I’ve got this.” Sarah reached for her seatbelt. “My dad made sure I knew how to change one before I even got my license.”

“That’s not it. I know how to change a tire too.” Kenzie tugged on a braid and grimaced. “It’s just I was going on a camping trip a few weeks ago and wanted a little extra space—”

“You took out the spare?” Sarah guessed.

“I took out the spare.”

Some things never changed. Fighting the urge to laugh or groan in frustration, Sarah just shrugged.

“Do you have AAA? We can get them out here—”

“No need. I’ve got brothers.” Kenzie waved her hand, already dialing a number on her cell phone.

She was calling her brother? Gripping the seatbelt now, Sarah’s stomach went into full on butter churn mode.

She couldn’t face him. Couldn’t see him.

“Kenzie…” Her plea was almost inaudible, but her friend must’ve heard it—and the sudden anxiety in her voice—because she glanced over quickly.

Sympathy flashed in her eyes. “Hey, don’t sweat it. I’m calling Aleck.”

Aleck. The oldest McLaughlin brother. Relief came immediately and filtered through her taut muscles. She managed a weak nod before resting her head back against the seat.

She couldn’t focus on the conversation Kenzie was having. Couldn’t do anything but try and get her heart rate back to normal.

What a stupid, ridiculous overreaction. What the hell was wrong with her?

“Help is on the way.” Kenzie set her phone down in her lap and sighed. After a moment, she cast a sideways glance Sarah’s way. “You know I wouldn’t do that to you. I wouldn’t throw you into an awkward situation with Ian. It’s not my business, and you need to face those demons when you’re ready.”

She’d be ready about a quarter after never. Wasn’t going to happen. Couldn’t happen. But, dammit, she’d known that just being on the island was gambling with the fact it might happen.

“I’m only here for a short while.” Sarah hesitated, trying to figure out how to put it delicately. “No offense, but you’re the only McLaughlin I intended to spend time with.”

A flicker of sadness passed over her friend’s face, but she nodded. “Understandable. Sorry I threw a wrench in those plans by making Aleck bring me a spare.”

“It’s fine. Really.” She could handle Aleck. He’d always been sweet and funny. Very much like a big brother she’d never had but wouldn’t have minded having.

Kenzie nodded. “Okay. So tell me about Virginia. How do you like living there?”

Appreciating the change of subject, Sarah told her about what had brought her there and how living across the country was. She’d begun to relax again, to enjoy the conversation with her old friend, when Kenzie whipped around and stared out the rearview window.

“Son of a bitch.”

“What is it?” Sarah turned to follow her gaze.

The red Camaro that roared up behind Kenzie’s car stopped maybe a foot from them, close enough to make her think he’d nudge their bumper.

That car. She knew that car.

Her heart, which she’d managed to slow, picked right back up again.

Please no.

“Can’t anybody follow instructions?” Kenzie growled, and opened her door. “Stay in here, Sarah. I’ll handle this.”

This wasn’t happening. Sarah shook her head as the Camaro door opened and six feet of tall, hard male slid out.

Everything inside her head started to spin as he strode toward Kenzie, a big, shit-eating grin on his face.

Sarah gripped the edge of her seat, her nails digging into the fabric. Her neck started to protest the awkward, twisted position, but she couldn’t look away.

Shock cocooned her body, but through it, almost clinically, she drank him in. He looked so much like he had eleven years ago. Beneath the tinted sunglasses she knew she’d find those rare, piercing green eyes all the McLaughlins had.

His brown hair held a hint red in the sunlight, and it was just a little too long. The body, still tall and solid, was maybe even bigger now. It looked as if he’d taken up lifting weights.

His shoulders were wide and she couldn’t help but remember how she used to cling to them when his mouth was on hers. How those shoulders, and his hands on her waist, had been the only things that kept her standing.

Just like all the McLaughlin boys, he was entirely too sexy. But more than sexy, he seemed dangerous. Especially now. He was the ultimate bad boy, seemed happy to claim the title and revel in it.

Instinct demanded she run. That she jump out of the car and run like a startled deer into the woods, no matter how illogical and ridiculous it seemed.

Whatever Kenzie was yelling at her brother couldn’t reach her ears through the car, but the tone did. Kenzie was livid.

Her brother shook his head, and then his big grin vanished. He yanked off his sunglasses and whipped his gaze to the car to where Sarah sat in frozen disbelief.

Their gazes locked and her world bottomed out.

It was unavoidable. She would have to face him. The realization that she had no choice became evident when Ian ignored her sister’s protests and strode toward the car.

No, no, no.

Despite the childish instinct to hit the lock and keep him out, she made no effort to stop him when he reached her door and pulled it open.

“As I live and breathe. Sarah Thornton.” His Scottish accent was faint, but stronger than his sister’s. The voice was so familiar and had the power to make her knees weaken.

But even though he smiled, his eyes were frigid emerald stones that pierced deep. They were potent enough to shatter her heart all over again.

He tilted his head and murmured, “Welcome back to Whidbey Island.”
Lauren Dane
Shiloh Walker
Mari Carr
Delilah Devlin
Jody Wallace
Shelli Stevens
TJ Michaels
Leah Braemel
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Felicity Heaton
Caris Roane
Myla Jackson
HelenKay Dimon

Snippet Saturday ~ Action

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 08:00:51 +0000

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is Action. Check out my excerpt from and then blog hop around to read the others!

Someone wants her. And someone else wants her…dead.

If life as a not-fully-human has taught Agent Grace Masterson anything, it’s that she’ll never again be anyone’s sitting duck. Whoever is deftly evading the traps around her remote sanctuary outside Seattle, she intends to shove his easily sensed self-confidence way, way up where the sun don’t shine.

When she comes face to face—and body to body—with Darrius Hilliard, relief and lingering guilt over past choices weaken her knees. Plus something bad. Really bad. A surprising, intense desire for her fellow agent.

Darrius knows what Grace needs, and it’s not the kid-glove treatment. If she’s ever to overcome her past trauma and return to full active duty status with the P.I.A, she needs a strong shoulder. Yet he’s shocked at how quickly he’s become physically and emotionally entwined with her.

Fighting their growing attraction to one another becomes secondary, though, when it becomes clear that someone not only isn’t thrilled at Grace’s return, they want her gone. Maybe even dead…

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EXCERPT

The long gravel drive was shrouded in darkness; just the small motion light on the side of the house illuminated the black Jeep.

Crouching down, she ran her fingers over the tire and felt the definite split in the rubber where someone had indeed slashed them.

Son of a bitch. Her pulse quickened and her jaw clenched with unrestrained fury. Was it possible that whoever had come after her today was back?

She stilled at he sound of branches snapping deep into the woods off her property. So faint, a human wouldn’t have heard it.

“Grace?” Gravel crunched as Aubree made her way back outside.

“Go in the house,” Grace ordered, her voice soft and offering no opportunity for argument. “Lock the door and don’t open it until I return and tell you it’s safe.”

“But what are you going to do?”

Ignoring the fear in her sister’s voice, Grace stripped herself of the clothing that would hinder her shift.

“If someone tries to come inside there’s a gun on the top shelf in my bedroom closet,” Grace said firmly. “You understand? You don’t ask questions, you just shoot.”

“You want me to shoot someone? Grace, I’ve never even used a squirt gun.” “I don’t think you’ll need it, but if you do, you’ll have to be a fast learner.” Naked now, she glanced behind her to see her sister still hesitating by the Jeep. “Dammit, go, Bree.”

Her sister gave a cry of distress, but spun on her heel and moved as quickly as her limp leg allowed.

Hearing the door slam shut, Grace turned and sprinted across her yard. Her body shifted as she leapt over the wooden fence and when she hit the edge of the forest she was all wolf.

She followed the sound of branches cracking as someone ahead of her moved quickly through the trees.

A growl of fury erupted past her muzzle as she tried to gain on whoever the hell it was. One thing was for sure, the fact that he’d dragged her sister into this was a big mistake. Big.

The flash of movement ahead meant she was getting closer. Grace quickened her pace, weaving between trees and leaping over large branches that blocked her path.

She spotted him up ahead. Another wolf. Driven by rage, she leapt at him, catching him on the back just as he turned to face her.

Snarling, his canines flashed white in the darkness as he slid away from her.

Driven by rage and fear, she couldn’t process the realization that his scent was familiar to her. But it made her pause long enough for him to get the upper hand and knock her to the ground.

She struggled beneath him, attempting to roll him off her as her teeth snapped at his neck and her claws dug into his sides.

But he was too quick, and much stronger than her. And only when his jaws closed around her neck—not enough to puncture, but enough to take control of her—did his scent fully sink in.

Her gaze snapped to his, and the fury there had her flinching in her wolf’s skin.

Seeing the silent command in his eyes, she allowed herself to shift back to human as he did the same. Her awareness returned with the occasional sounds in the forest and the smell of the evergreen trees.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing out here?” Darrius ground out.

Lauren Dane
Shiloh Walker
Delilah Devlin
Jody Wallace
Shelli Stevens
TJ Michaels
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Felicity Heaton
Eliza Gayle
Caris Roane
Myla Jackson
HelenKay Dimon

Snippet Saturday ~ Author’s Choice

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 08:00:43 +0000

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is Author’s Choice. Check out my excerpt from and then blog hop around to read the others!

Going up for auction couldn’t be that bad, could it?

After her oversexed grandma talks her into signing up for the ‘Buy a Dame’ fundraiser, Jessica Davis gets a makeover and goes on the auction block. She never expected the roughly sexy man who’d buy her, or the plans he had in store.

Josh Thomas came to Leaf Island after his grandpa died to do some hard core thinking. He hadn’t planned on buying a woman for the weekend and then falling hard for her. She seems equally enamored, but will she still want him when she finds out the one thing he’s been hiding?

Buy on Amazon Kindle
Buy at Cobblestone Press

EXCERPT

I pictured the man and how he’d looked at me in the hall. Not like I was the fat girl who got picked last, but like I was prime rib at the local steak house. The little flutters in my tummy started again.

“Ladies,” I turned and inclined my head regally. “I know this must seem awfully frightening to you. But if it raises money for the children, then I will honor the outcome of the auction.”

A few of the girls sighed and actually looked impressed. God they were easy. Anna just folded her arms across her perky tits and frowned.

“Well, don’t say we didn’t warn you. If you come back with Chlamydia you have only yourself to blame.”

Jeez! Now she was flinging STD’s at me? Like I was going to actually sleep with Mr. Tattoo?

All of a sudden, I thought about his rigid biceps under my hands, the way his entire body had looked so hard, so muscular. What would he be like in bed?

Would he be wild and dangerous, just like his image? The thought was unexpected and made the fluttering in my stomach turn hot and move down between my thighs.

“Have fun, ladies.” I shouldered my tote bag and left the room, my heels clicking on the linoleum floor.

Mr. Tattoo waited for me near the Exit sign, watching me as I made my way down the hall. My bravado and excitement slipped a little with each step closer to him. Twenty-four hours. I would be with this man for twenty-four hours.

“Jessica Davis.” A slow smile spread across his face. “So you’re gonna be my bitch for the weekend.”

My feet stumbled. He’d just called me his bitch. How the hell was I supposed to react to that?

“Uh, I guess so. Although you might not wanna call me your bitch if you want to keep me on your good side.” I took the last few steps that separated us. “I don’t remember seeing you around the island. You’re not local are you?”

He raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “Technically I’m from Seattle.”

Ah, that made more sense. But what was he doing on Leaf Island?

“My grandpa was Randal Thomas. He owned the Fisherman’s Feast.”

My eyes widened and suddenly I wasn’t looking at a grown man, but a sixteen year old boy who’d loved to attack me with squirt guns. Who’d made me shriek while chasing me with the fish he’d just caught. Who’d been my first kiss so many years ago.

He nodded. “Ah, so you do remember me.”

It suddenly seemed hard to swallow. “Yeah, I do.”

Josh Thomas. Now I recognized him. It’d just been a little hard with the tattoos and goatee. Talk about a change! He used to spend his summers on the Island. Man, I hadn’t seen him since the summer I turned sixteen. After he graduated high school and our little kiss was long forgotten. By then he’d moved on to Tina Schillings who’d already slept with half the teenage boys in town.

“I was sorry to hear about your grandpa, Josh.”

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and offered a brief smile. “Yeah, me too. He was a good guy. I would have gotten down here earlier, soon after the funeral, but some things came up.”

Somebody passed us in the hall, bumping into me and sending me stumbling up against Josh. Once again, he reached out to steady me.

“Thanks.” I looked up and our gazes locked. I watched his pupils dilate, heard him inhale quickly. My stomach did a little flippy thing again, and I stepped away quickly.

“Are you ready to go?” His voice had turned gruff.

I nodded, and my new bangs fell into my eyes. I pushed them away.

“All right.” He gave a quick nod. “Follow me.”

Lissa Matthews
Rhian Cahill
Shelli Stevens
Eliza Gayle
Leah Braemel
Myla Jackson
Caris Roane
Jody Wallace
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
HelenKay Dimon
Shiloh Walker
Delilah Devlin
Lauren Dane

Snippet Saturday ~ Emotion

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:00:38 +0000

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is Emotion. Check out my excerpt from and then blog hop around to read the others!

One man wants her heart. The other wants her dead…

Holding Out for a Hero, Book 1

Eleanor Owen needs to get out of Chicago and quick. It’s not that she doesn’t want to obey the subpoena to testify against her drug-trafficking ex-boyfriend. It’s making it to the witness stand alive, should a dirty cop make good on his threats.

Tiny, remote Wyattsville, Oregon looks like the perfect place to disappear, but it’s hard to blend into the woodwork when one of the town’s infamous namesakes sends her heart racing. Worse, Mr. Tall, Hot and Packing is the town sheriff, which means she should stay as far away from him as possible.

Tyson Wyatt is positive the sexy new girl in town is hiding something. Question is, what? He vows to feel out her secrets—including what she feels like beneath him. Preferably naked. Until then, he’s not buying the story she’s selling.

Their chemistry is sheet-melting hot, and Ellie realizes much too late that the man with the badge is as dangerous to her heart as her ex is to her life…

Now Available at Samhain Publishing Kindle Books on Board Barnes and Noble
EXCERPT

Ellie set the book she was reading down with a sigh and lifted her head to gaze out the window. Beyond the hills and trees, there was the faintest hint of blue. The Pacific Ocean.

Longing twisted inside her and she bit her lip. She was so tempted to say screw it all, leave the house she’d rented and go explore the beach. Or the cute little part of downtown she’d only been to once. Good God, anything to get outside.

It wasn’t that the house was awful or anything, it was wonderfully quaint and cozy. A small, two-bedroom cottage with a great kitchen and nice view. She knew the house inside and out. Had explored every nook and cranny, knew every spot where the floorboards creaked, had discovered that the hot water had a tendency to scald.

It was like she’d lived here for years. When, really, it had only been five days since she’d gotten off the Greyhound bus in the larger neighboring town and then taken an expensive taxi ride into Wyattville.

Five days since she’d emptied her bank account and fled Chicago. She’d paid cash for everything, having hidden her bank and credit cards before leaving. Fortunately, the couple who’d rented her the house had been more than happy to accept cash as her deposit and two months worth of rent.

Hearing the soft bubble of water from the kitchen, Ellie stood and headed for the kitchen to check on her eggs.

Maybe she could go into town today and buy some more groceries, though she really didn’t need any, since she’d bought a ton during her one and only trip to the store.

The whole point of her being here was keeping a low profile, not that there was a chance anyone would figure out who she was. How could they? The trial might have been hot news in Chicago, but she was in a small town in Oregon.

As she peered into the pot of eggs, watching them spin over themselves in the water, her stomach growled. Soft-boiled eggs and toast had always been her favorite. She’d grown up on it. It was good old-fashioned comfort food, and right now she needed the comfort.

Ellie pulled the pot from the burner and was about to reach for a spoon, when the sound of crunching tires hit her ears. She stilled and listened carefully, but there was no mistaking the sound. It was a car, and it seemed to be coming down her little dirt road.

With the pot still in her hand, she rushed to the window.

“Oh my God,” she whispered. Her heart slammed against her ribcage and her mouth went dry. “This isn’t happening.”

But the writing on the side of the approaching white car clearly identified it as a sheriff’s vehicle. How in the hell had they found her?

When a tall man unfurled himself from the car, she stumbled away from the window, her empty stomach churning and her hands shaking so badly that the water sloshed over the side of the pot, scalding her hand.

“Shit.”

Ellie thrust the pot back onto the stove as her head moved from side to side in denial. There was no way she was going back to Chicago. She couldn’t testify. She was as good as dead if she got on that witness stand.

Terror stretched its cold hands through every inch of her body, and when a knock came at the front door, she completely lost it and fled out the back.

Lissa Matthews
Rhian Cahill
Shelli Stevens
Eliza Gayle
Leah Braemel
Myla Jackson
Caris Roane
Jody Wallace
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
HelenKay Dimon
Shiloh Walker
Delilah Devlin
Lauren Dane
TJ Michaels

No snippet today

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 07:00:56 +0000

I can’t post a snippet today. Sorry. I just want to express here that my thoughts and prayers are with the families that horrifically lost loved ones on Friday. And really, in any of these random/incomprehensible shootings or mass attacks with some form of weapon lately. So much senseless violence that we can’t even begin to process. This one hits harder because we just can’t understand how anyone can hurt children. It’s also painfully clear we don’t understand mental illness, or how to help it.

What we do know, even more so with our heart’s broken after today, is that something needs to change…

Snippet Saturday ~ Author’s Choice

Shelli Stevens — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 08:00:52 +0000

Hey, after you’re done here, be sure to drop by www.smutketeers.com/ and enter to win lots of prizes! And check out the super fun video we all made ;)

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is Author’s choice. Check out my excerpt from Luck Be Delanie and then blog hop around to read the others!

Long ago, Delanie made one gigantic mistake. Or committed one small felony, depending on how you look at it. Stealing a coin from a sexy stranger was just a prank to help a sorority sister get revenge. The sleeping with him part was totally unplanned. Yet she holds the memory of that one intense, passionate connection close to her heart—like the coin she still wears around her neck.

Six years later, she’s invited to a beautiful resort in the San Juan Islands to not only accept a donation for an abused women’s shelter, but to consider a job opportunity as well.

Instead, she finds herself face-to-face with her past.

Grant has always suspected Delanie stole his rare, lucky coin. He just never knew why—or why she disappeared the morning after their hot night together. After spending years looking for her, he’s lured her right where he wants her. He’ll have his answers, come hell or high water.

And, if things go his way, he’ll have Delanie, too.

Now Available at Samhain Publishing
Buy on Kindle
Buy at Barnes and Noble

EXCERPT

“I like your tattoo,” a deep voice came from behind her. “The last time I saw it I was taking you from behind.”

Delanie choked on the wine she’d just taken a sip of, her fingers almost crushing the stem of the glass.

No. It wasn’t possible. Goosebumps broke out over her body even as quick heat spread inside her. She could feel the owl tattoo on her shoulder blade tingle under his gaze.

What was more shocking? His words or the man who had just spoken them? God, it was a toss-up.

She drew in a slow breath, afraid to turn around. Her heart pounded furiously beneath her breasts and her palms dampened.

The coin she’d stolen from him six years ago hung on a pendant around her neck like a beacon. Thank God it was beneath the neckline of her sundress and well out of his view.

“Do you remember that night?” His warm breath tickled her ear.

Hot shivers raced down her spine as his words evoked images of the night they’d spent together. The air locked in her throat and she bit her lip, trying to halt the bombardment of erotic images.

Of course she remembered. That night was a firebrand on her mind. But admitting she hadn’t forgotten could only bring trouble. It couldn’t possibly be him standing behind me, the silly voice of denial screamed in her head.

Without turning around, she could sense the tall, hardness of his body just inches from her. Could feel his blue eyes burning a trail over her.

Another tremble wracked her body.

Get yourself together, Delanie. You’re not a silly co-ed anymore. And he has no idea what you did the morning after your night together.

She focused hard on the sparkling blue water that lay beyond the trees. She’d always heard Washington State was beautiful, and this island and resort in the San Juan Islands was a genuine paradise.

Funny how she’d considered herself a lucky woman getting invited to such a posh resort. How wonderful that not only was she here to accept a donation to the Second Chances shelter, but to also consider an offer as the resort’s marketing director.

Her lips twisted. She should have known. Paradise always had a price.

“Still thinking about that night?”

Annoyance pricked at his mocking tone. Knowing she couldn’t very well keep her back to him forever, she forced a bland expression onto her face and turned around.

Her bravado slipped a notch the moment she saw him, but she forced it back by lifting her chin higher. “I think you have me mistaken with someone else.”

“Do I?” He lifted an eyebrow, his mouth twitching with obvious amusement.

She swallowed hard.

Grant Thompson looked just as good now as he had six years ago. Scratch that, he looked better. The tall, lean, college athlete had turned into a sexy grown man. His face was harder now, more angular with the loss of the boyish roundness.

His hair, once more red than blond, had settled into something in between. But those eyes…those eyes were just as blue and piercing as they had been all those years ago. On that night she’d been stupid enough to bounce the bed springs with him.

She felt the warming of a blush and bit her cheek.

“Excuse me.” She stepped past him, but he reached out and caught her elbow, swinging her back around. Hot tingles raced up her arm where his fingers touched.

“Wait, Lanie—”

“Well at least you got my name right this time.” Her voice shook as she tugged herself free from his grip. She stumbled backward and eyed him warily.

That heart-crushing moment would remain engraved in her mind forever. Right after bringing her to a sweet morning-after orgasm, the jerk had called her Janie. Janie! And then to add insult to injury, he’d fallen back asleep before they could even finish making love. Wait, sex. Of course a guy like Grant wouldn’t consider it making love.

“I’m sorry about that.” Grant’s jaw hardened, all amusement vanishing. “That mistake caused a helluva delay in finding you.”

“Sorry? As if that—” She broke off and narrowed her eyes. “In finding me?”

He tilted his head and gave her a considering look. “Is that why you left so suddenly that morning?”

Guilt stabbed low in her gut, and she reached to touch the pendant under her dress. Before her fingers connected, she jerked her hand away and tucked a strand of short blonde hair behind her ear instead.

Careful, girl. You’re on dangerous grounds right now.

“Look.” She let her gaze slip away from his. “I don’t know what kind of twist of fate brought us together, but I’ll catch the first ferry back to Anacortes.”

“It was me.” He stepped closer, blocking her path back into the building.

Her heart almost stopped at the three words. “Excuse me?”

“I’m the twist of fate.” His mouth tightened. “Finding you was the first piece of good luck I’ve had in years.”

She almost dwelled on the luck comment, but the fact that he was claiming to be the twist of fate resonated louder.

The urge to flee increased and she shook her head, glancing around the patio. Her stomach clenched as she realized they were alone now.

“Grant…” She ran her tongue over suddenly dry lips and his gaze darkened as he observed the small movement.

“Lanie.” He stepped forward and she took a step back, her pulse jumping.

“Delanie,” she muttered without thinking. “I haven’t been called Lanie since college.”

“Fine. Delanie.”

The waves crashed against the rocks below as he backed her up against the guard railing.

“When does the next boat leave?” she queried, her heart fluttering harder in her chest. “I can arrange to be on it.”

“You don’t understand. I don’t want you to leave.” His hands curled around the rail on each side of her body.

The faint smell of soap and cologne tickled her nostrils and the heat of his hard body mingled with hers.

“It took me six years to find you.”

Six years faded to nothing with him standing so close. A tremble rocked her body, and her nipples tightened, chafing against the lace of her bra.

She bit back a groan. “Please…”

“The last thing I’m going to do is put you on a boat home, Delanie. We have a lot to talk about.”

Her stomach dropped and her mouth went dry. Oh. God. He knew.

Lissa Matthews
Rhian Cahill
Leah Braemel
Myla Jackson
Caris Roane
Jody Wallace
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
HelenKay Dimon
Shiloh Walker
Delilah Devlin
Eliza Gayle
Lauren Dane
Felicity Heaton
Shelli Stevens