Waiting for You

 

Gimme a Little Kiss welcomes Marie Higgins, a best-selling, multi-published author of sweet romance. Her stories include everything from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com or look for her on Facebook – facebook.com/marie.higgins.7543 – and Twitter - @MarieHigginsXOX

Take a look at Waiting for You. When a beautiful woman claiming to be a ghost from 1912 appears in Nick Marshal’s new office and begs for help in solving her murder, he’s intrigued enough to consider her plea. A scandal that rocked Hollywood almost destroyed his law practice, so taking on a client who insists she’s dead seems a good way to refresh his career. The more history he uncovers, the deeper he falls for the ghost. Abigail Carlisle believes Nick is her heart’s true desire, but how can happily ever after happen when she’s already dead?

Set up for the kiss:  Abigail is a ghost from 1912. Nick is a lawyer from current day, trying to find her killer to help her pass over. When they first meet, he can’t touch her. (of course…she’s a ghost!) But the closer they get to finding her murderer, the more real she becomes. In this scene they realize they can touch each other, but since Nick is talking to other people, he can’t react like he wants to.

And now for the kiss:

Nick hurried to the car, his fingers still entwined with Abigail’s. Once she was certain nobody could hear them, she squeezed his hand. “Do you feel that?”

This time when he looked at her, pleasure darkened his eyes. “You know I do. But what happened? Why do I feel you?”

“I don’t know, but I could have jumped out of my skin with joy in there.”

“Me, too. Do you know how hard it was to act like nothing was happening?”

He opened the passenger’s side door and motioned for Abigail to slide in. He hurried and closed the door then practically ran to get in on his side. He didn’t take her in his arms like she wanted. Instead, he started the car and raised the top to the convertible.

She sat still, holding her breath, praying he’d want to touch her. He looked almost too stiff. Her gut clenched. Did he not like the idea of holding her?

Once he was on the road, he leaned back in his seat and draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him. With a relieved sigh, she snuggled up to him and rested her palm on his chest.

“Nick? What do you think this means? Why do you think I can feel you now when I have not been able to before?”

He shook his head. “You’re asking the wrong person, honey. I have a couple of guesses, but I don’t know for sure.”

“What do you think?”

“Well, first I think I’ve completely lost my mind and that’s why I can feel you. Or maybe we’re getting closer to finding your killer and that’s why you’re becoming real.”

She chewed her lower lip before whispering, “I wonder when we do discover who killed me, will I pass over at that exact moment?”

“I don’t know, honey.” He leaned closer and kissed her forehead. “I don’t want to think about that right now.”

“Me either,” she said in such a low voice that Nick had to lean closer to hear her. How could she think of leaving him when she’d just found him?

“So then maybe we should pretend that I’m completely crazy,” Nick said, “and that’s the reason for all of this.”

She laughed and stroked his face. “Oh, Nick. I really cannot believe I’m touching you. Your skin is so warm, so smooth.” She moved her hand down his neck to his chest. “I can feel the beat of your heart against my palm.” She smiled.

A deep groan tore from his throat, and he turned the car down a darkened street. Soon, he stopped the vehicle and switched off the engine.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep driving when I have you on my mind.”

In one sharp move, he gathered her in his arms, bringing his face to her neck. She sighed and leaned her head back, enjoying his hot breath on her skin.

“Abby, I’ve wanted to touch you for so long,” he mumbled against her neck.

“Me, too.” She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding his head against her.

His hands traveled over her back and arms then moved up to gently stroke her hair. He kissed her neck before sliding his lips to her mouth. When he captured her lips, she gasped. Every nerve responded to his touch. She wanted the kiss to last forever.

She leaned into him, tightening her hold around his neck. A deep moan came from him as the kiss deepened. Sighing, she enjoyed the way his lips moved with her, and because she wasn’t used to being kissed in such a fervent way, all she could do was follow his lead.

Nick pulled her closer, never taking his mouth from hers, but before she could truly enjoy the many sensations assaulting her body, a bright light shone inside the car, followed by a loud bang on the window.

Waiting for You by Marie Higgins is available at Amazon.com.

Just click here -  http://amzn.com/B00EQQMACU

 

Scent of Lavender - Paranormal Romance

My paranormal Scent of Lavender is now available in print! Believe me, that's exciting.

Lily looked down at their joined hands. The mound of flesh below his thumb pressed against hers. Suction formed between them, tugging her lifeline closer to his. Heat sluiced through her as he led her down the hall and through the studio door.

          Inside the studio, moonlight eased through uncurtained windows. A lavender scent cooled the room. Air shimmered in an intimate rhythm that mirrored the pulse throbbing in the deep, secret places of her body. Desire coursed through her, swelling and heating until she feared it would consume her. She couldn’t help herself any longer.

Turning, aligning her body with his, she slipped her fingers through his hair, pulled down his head and kissed him.

           The kiss was hard and hot, a primal taking that was urgent in the face of some threat she felt but couldn’t name. His hands came up, slipped under her shirt, moved over flesh that ached for the comfort that only his touch could offer. Longed for the sanctuary that only his arms could provide. Burned for the release that he alone could wrest from the depths of her soul.

Pleasure and need shuddered through her. This was where she belonged. In his arms, surrounded by velvet moonlight. In this room, lit by satin starlight. Together. Safe.

           Something tickled her mind but she brushed it away with a thought. Nothing must come between them. Nothing must keep them apart. Nothing and no one…

His arms went around her. A sigh whispered through the air, easing inside her as she inhaled. His breath, she thought, flavored with beer and need and sweet, sweet lavender. She tilted her head, deepening the kiss, exhaling her own need, feeling him draw it in. Someone sighed again, in rhythm with her own breath.

          But it wasn’t him.

Don’t stop, a voice whispered inside her head. Don’t let him go this time.

          This time…

Scent of Lavender by Teri Thackston
Available at

EC/Blush:  http://tinyurl.com/qa8rxb6

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/o6a6qe2
B&N: http://tinyurl.com/p9aws6a

and other fine etailers.

Seduced by an Angel

 

Adrienne deWolfe is a #1 Bestselling Author and a recipient of 48 writing awards, including the Best Historical Romance of the Year.  She consistently delights readers with sexy, action-packed, western-style romances, including her Wild Texas Nights series and her Velvet Lies series.  In addition, she is the author of the bestselling non-fiction ebook series, The Secrets to Getting Your Romance Novel Published.

Fascinated by all things mystical, Adrienne writes a weekly blog about dragons, magic, and the paranormal at http://MagicMayhemBlog.com to help her research her upcoming YA Epic Fantasy series. She also writes a weekly blog with fiction writing tips and advice about the business of writing at http://WritingNovelsThatSell.com.  She enjoys mentoring aspiring authors and offers professional story critiques and book coaching services.

Her newest western historical romance is SEDUCED BY AN ANGEL (Book 3, Velvet Lies Series). In the book, Kentucky belle Seraphina Jones craves a dashing stranger worth kissing. When she spies her handsome, half-naked hired hand at the riverbank, she thinks her dreams of romance have come true. But this Texican is wanted for murder. 

Jesse Quaid can't let Sera's sweet kisses distract him from rendezvousing with Cass, a childhood friend, to clear his name of a crime he didn't commit.  But then a case of mistaken identity turns Cass into Jesse's deadliest rival for Sera's heart.

Now, Sera must find a way to end the feud before the man she loves is lost forever.
 

And now for the kiss:

"Jesse, we're supposed to be friends. You know all about my feelings for Henry. But you never talk about Allison."

"That's because there's nothing to tell about Allison."

Sera winced at his sharp tone.  Why must he be so difficult?  It wasn’t as if she liked playing matchmaker for her arch rival!

But Sera had a code of honor when it came to another woman’s man. And doing the right thing for Jesse, unfortunately, meant doing the right thing by Allison.

"Jesse, I think... I mean, it's none of my business, but... I think Allison may still have feelings for you."

He arched a coal-black eyebrow.

"You should give her another chance," Sera rushed on, hating her sense of obligation. "If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't want to wake up one morning and wonder what might have been."

Amusement flickered over the chiseled planes of his face.

"Seraphina Jones, are you trying to get rid of me?"

She blinked up at him, owl-like.

"Well, no, I—"

Before she could finish her protest, he caught her head and kissed her.

Only Jesse's kiss wasn't a peck on the cheek, like two comfortable, old friends might share.

Oh, no. Jesse's kiss was white lightning mixed with dynamite. It packed the wallop of firecrackers rocketing or volcanoes letting loose. Giving her no chance to protest, he slanted his mouth across hers, demanding a response. When she stumbled forward, he hooked his free arm around her waist, dragging her forward to collide with his hips.

He tasted of cinnamon. He smelled of sandalwood and cloves. The combination was a heady aphrodisiac. She wanted more of it. More of him.

She gripped his shoulders, rising on tiptoe, wriggling until her breasts flattened against the cotton-sheathed granite of his chest. His long, rangy maleness felt so hard, and hard felt so good! Her senses sizzled, smoking before all that unleashed, wildcat energy. She thought she might combust . . .

Other Books in the Velvet Lies series:

·         Book 1: SCOUNDREL FOR HIRE
·         Book 2: HIS WICKED DREAM
·         Book 3: SEDUCED BY AN ANGEL
·         Book 4: DEVIL IN TEXAS (Available 2014)

Purchase Link:

http://ebookdiscovery.com.p8.hostingprod.com/AdrienneDeWolfe.html

 

Find Adrienne DeWolfe at:

·         Amazon Author Central  http://www.amazon.com/Adrienne-deWolfe/e/B000API9SA
·         Good Reads  http://www.goodreads.com/Adrienne_deWolfe
·         Twitter (Fantasy Fiction of Adrienne deWolfe) http://Twitter.com/SolMage
·         Velvet Lies Series http://ebookdiscovery.com.p8.hostingprod.com/AdrienneDeWolfe.html
·         Wild Texas Nights Series http://ebookdiscovery.com.p8.hostingprod.com/AdrienneDeWolfe.html

 

Meet the Author / Interview with a Character Blog Hop

Lord Nicholas Pierce, hero of Wait Until Moonrise, interviews his author,

Teri Thackston

 

 

Welcome to my stop on this fabulous hop--and remember you can enter a contest to win a prize! Just read on to find out how.

This week, I thought I’d let Lord Nicholas Pierce, Earl of Beaumarith interview me for a change! Take it away, Lord Nicholas!

Nicholas: Thank you, Lady Teri, for the opportunity to ask you how I came to be. After all, ‘twas you who gave me life in your novel Wait Until Moonrise, therefore you know the details of my creation better than anyone.

TT: Certainly, Lord Nicholas. But while my mother likes to think she raised me to be a lady, I’m not one in the sense of English nobility. So please, call me Teri.

Nicholas: As you wish. When did you first think of me? When did you decide to bring me to life?

TT:  I remember the exact moment. I had taken my children to a theater to see Disney’s version of ‘Beauty and the Beast’…you know the story?

Nicholas: Of course. But a child’s fairy tale inspired your book?

TT:  The storyline sprang from a fairy tale but it quickly matured well beyond that. There was a scene in the film where the Beast and Belle were dancing in an immense ballroom that contained enormous windows. Shadows from the windowpanes lay a pattern over the ballroom floor.

Nicholas:  As in the ballroom at my home, Beaumarith. ‘Tis beautiful in the moonlight.

TT:  Exactly. As Belle and the Beast danced, I imagined they were ghosts who disappeared whenever they danced into the shadows, but reappeared when they danced into the moonlight. It would be eerie and romantic. Since I enjoy writing paranormal romance, I thought it would be better if only one of them was a ghost, and that he could appear only in the moonlight…and only to his true love. So I came up with you.

Nicholas: But I am no ghost.

TT: I know that. But that was the initial inspiration. I knew that it would be difficult for a ghost and a mortal to carry on any romance that ended happily-ever-after. So instead of making you a ghost, I made you an invisible man.

Nicholas: Hence the curse.

TT:  Right. And since you can’t have a curse without some sort of witch—

Nicholas:  You created the sorceress, Sapphira, to make my life miserable.

TT: Exactly!

Nicholas (frowning): Did she have to curse me so soundly? No one could hear me or see me for well over 200 years!

TT: I know, and I’m sorry about that. I know it was pretty frustrating for you—

Nicholas:  And beyond boring. Have you any idea what it is like to shout directly in someone’s face only to be treated as if I didn’t exist? For two centuries?

TT:  Well, I don’t personally know, but I think I did a pretty good job of writing about it.

Nicholas:  That you did.

TT:  I wanted you to be a man from a different time so that you would contrast more with your heroine, Bria. So I had to make you come from another century.

Nicholas: I would not say that Bria and I contrast to any great degree.

TT:  Maybe not now, but you did when you first met. I mean, you were an 18^th century nobleman from Wales while she was a 21^st century woman from Texas. You believed in curses and magic while she thought such things were impossible. You couldn’t drive but she—

Nicholas (laughing): Bria was a wonderful driving instructor.

TT:  As long as you kept your hands on the wheel.

Nicholas:  Well, the temptation of her beauty within the intimate confines of her cousin’s Rolls Royce—

TT:  Hang on, now. Let’s not give away too much of the story.

Nicholas:  I beg your pardon. Please continue detailing our miniscule differences.

TT:  No problem. You lived in a castle while Bria lived on a small farm. She was a bit timid while you were brash and a little full of yourself—

Nicholas:  I beg your pardon.

TT:  You know it was true. You came from a time when few people could even read and write while Bria was accustomed to modern technology.

Nicholas:  Which allowed us to communicate outside of the moonlight.

TT:  Hey, no more spoilers!

Nicholas:  Might I at least relive our first kiss?

TT:  That’s the usual purpose of my blog, so of course. Here ya go!

From Wait Until Moonrise by Teri Thackston

She touched his arm, and his control shattered. Whipping around, he grabbed her shoulders. Her eyes went wide as he pushed her against the wall, crushing her with his body.

“Is this what you want?” he demanded. “To see me lose control as that poor bastard fiancé of yours did? Remember that I, too, suffer under Saffira’s curse.”

Unexpectedly, he felt her relax between him and the cold wall. His own tension coiled tighter as her supple form curved to his rigid one.

“I don’t believe you want to hurt me,” she whispered. “I don’t believe you can.”

Her lips were so close to his, he could taste the flavor of her breath. It swirled through his head like smoke, coiled down into his gut, intensifying the craving that he could scarcely control. Only with her did he feel human. Only with her was he free even within his own mind.

And yet he could not let her take this step out of guilt. To allow that would be an affront to them both.

“You said the same about the American.”

Her gaze touched his lips. “He wasn’t himself.”

“But I am me.”

“I know.” She slipped her arms around his waist and lifted her lips to his.

Nicholas would gladly have died then. The love he tasted on her sweet lips eased his tortured soul with the flavor of nectar. Heaven-sent, she was, and he knew she’d never kissed Terrell or any other man in this way. Her fingers were still against his back, her body barely touching his. Only her lips moved, and they did so barely parted, innocent and soft, as if she had no inkling of their sensuous power. Resistance faltering beneath her innocent onslaught, he eased his cruel grip, and his hands slipped between her and the stone wall. Holding her close, he deepened the kiss, easing her lips apart, tasting fully of what she so sweetly offered…what he so desperately craved.

Nicholas:  Ah…how well I remember that first kiss.

TT:  I know Bria remembers it, too.

Nicholas:  Thank you, my lady, I—

TT:  Just Teri, remember?

Nicholas (bowing):  As you wish, Teri. I will take my leave of you now. This brief trip along memory lane has made me eager to return to my beloved.

TT:  You’re welcome, Lord Nicholas. Tell her I said hi. And readers, thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope you enjoyed learning a little about Wait Until Moonrise. It’s one of my award-winning novels that is now available online in ebook at Amazon.com  http://tinyurl.com/75lcdm6  and at Barnes & Noble http://tinyurl.com/c8ualx6

Enjoy the rest of the blog hop by clicking this link ( http://www.kaseydean.com/2013/08/meet-authorinterview-with-character_26.html) to take you back to Kasey Dean's blog where you'll find the list of other blogs*, and where you can also enter a contest to wind a $50 Amazon gift card. Just click on the Facebook or Email box (see the end of Kasey's blog) then click on my name and enter the code word jaguar to register your entry. Good luck and cheers!

 

 

 

Never Pick On a Jaguar Princess

I'm stepping into the world of young adult fiction with this new novella, which I'm publishing today/tonight on Amazon.com. I've written it under a new name (actually my maiden name) T. Lynn Odom. I'll add the link once it goes live, but for now, here's the kiss scene from this young adult paranormal:

“Tonight was fun,” Ryan said as they reached the door. He, too, seemed a little nervous, putting his hands in his pockets then taking them out again.

“It was.” She tightened her grip on her purse strap and wished that Aunt Deb hadn’t turned on the porch light. It seemed to glare down on them like a spotlight. Surely, if any of those itchy freckles appeared on her face and neck, they’d be obvious to Ryan. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow night…if I make the team, that is. I mean…even if I don’t make the team…oh…you know what I mean.”

“You’ll make it.” He took his hands out of his pockets once more. “I have confidence in you. And whatever happens, we’ll have our date anyway…if you want.”

She nodded. “I do.”

Ryan didn’t move.

Is he going to kiss me or not?

Her heart pounded and the glow from the porch light appeared even brighter.

Do I have popcorn in my teeth? Do I have soda breath? I should have grabbed a mint!

“Well…” His hands hung awkwardly at his sides. “I guess I’ll see you at the track. Tomorrow afternoon.”

Oh, I must have awful breath!

She resisted the urge to cover her mouth with her hand. “Yeah. I’ll, um…see you then.”

His dark brown eyes focused on hers and they took on a moist, almost dreamy glow. His lips parted and he leaned toward her.

He is going to kiss me!

Panic engulfed Juli. She couldn’t breathe. Her skin felt too tight and it itched all over. She just knew her face was breaking out in spots again, and her heart beat so fast she was afraid it was going to spring right through her ribs.

And then his lips touched hers and she forgot all about spots and itching and too-fast heart beats. She was enraptured by her first genuine kiss. It was softer than she had ever imagined, and it tasted sweet. He tasted sweet.

His hand came up to touch one side of her face, and Juli leaned into him, gripping the front of his shirt. His other hand touched her waist as the kiss went on in slow-motion ecstasy.

After another wonderful moment, Ryan drew back, smiling. “Good night,” he whispered, lowering his hand to his side.

“Good night,” she whispered back and released her hold on his shirt.

He walked to the edge of the porch and turned to face her. His smile became a grin as he walked backward down the porch steps and along the sidewalk.

Juli grinned, too, never breaking his gaze until he reached the driver’s side of his Jeep. He lifted a hand and waved. Waving back, Juli opened the front door and slipped inside the house.

All's Fair in Love and Lion by Bethany Averie

Today's guest poster, Bethany Averie, has loved fairy tales since she was a child, especially Cinderella and Beauty & the Beast. She also enjoys Greek and Roman mythology and...of course, romance. She lives in the Lone Star State with her real-life hero and a shadow who calls her 'Mom'. When she's not writing, Bethany enjoys spending time with family and friends...and of course, dreaming up new worlds. Her debut novel is All's Fair in Love & Lion.
 

High school Junior year English teacher Sasha Brighton has always dreamt of having her own Prince Charming. But she doesn’t believe it’s possible. After all, fairy-tales are just stories, not reality.

However, when Monroe Dubay steps out of her dreams and into her apartment, she’s forced to rethink the whole concept of what’s real and what’s fairy-tale. But believing means she’ll have to choose between everything she knows, or give it all up for the unknown.

Meanwhile, another female from his world doesn’t think Sasha should have Monroe; and she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to stop Sasha and Monroe from having their happily-ever-after. No matter what.

 

And now for the kiss, from All’s Fair In Love & Lion by Bethany Averie:

Before I can answer, his mouth covers mine and envelopes me in a searing kiss. I let out a moan. From somewhere I hear his groan as he deepens the kiss, crushing me against him. My emotions get jumbled up inside of me. Everything from the past few days tumbles out and an urgency overtakes me. His embrace melts away my fears, his mouth excites all my passions. I feel my control slipping. Right when I’m ready to throw away the rest of my restraint, we break apart. Breathing heavily, I try to refocus. Are there two Monroes? I blink. Three?

“Well, that was different,” he gasps.

“Monroe,” I say, panting. “For once, you can have your big ego. You are, as they say, ‘the man’.”

Learn more about Bethany at her favorite online hangouts:

Blog:  Write By Bethany http://writebybethany.blogspot.com/

Email:  bethany.averie@gmail.com

Facebook Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/BethanyAverie.Author

Twitter:  @WriteByBethany

Goodreads Page:  http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/14552945-bethany-averie-author-all-s-fair-in-love-lion-release

Onslaught by Teri Thackston

 

He lifted a hand toward her. Releasing the tangle of her own fingers, she moved to the porch steps and hesitantly placed her hand in his.

“I want to be here for you,” he said quietly.

She wanted that, too. She needed someone to be there for her. She wanted it to be him.

At the slight pressure of his fingertips on hers, she stepped down onto the cool grass. Now he stood over her, his eyes in shadow as moonlight fell over him.

“Actually, I want more than that,” he went on. “I know we haven’t known each other very long…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Her heart began to throb. To her surprise she wasn’t worrying about questions or secrets for the moment. She simply allowed herself to enjoy the attraction that swept through her. She saw in his eyes that he, too, wanted to put away questions for a time. They both deserved to live in the moment for a while.

He lowered her hand to his side but held onto it. Then, reaching for her other hand, he stepped close enough to brush his body against hers. His head came down.

The kiss started out tender and tentative, yet it was flavored with a hint of fate that had them both pressing closer. She tilted her head, opening her mouth to his, accepting the sweep of his tongue over her lower lip, answering it with her own. The kiss deepened. Their fingers tangled at their sides and her body flushed with heat. But this wasn’t the cloying heat of a Texas night. This was the magnetic heat of desire.

Audible.com: audiobook - http://tinyurl.com/pt5x7jb
Amazon: ebook- http://tinyurl.com/7duylmk  or audiobook - http://tinyurl.com/qaxq7z9
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/756mopp
Smashwords (for PDF or other formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/140723