Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts

#MWTease and #coverreveal from the second edition of 'The Picnic' as Side Street Cookie Publishing takes over from Moon Rose #paranormalromance

#MWTease from The Picnic
A single originally published in A Celtic Tapestry Anthology
Ava McCartney relaxes from her stressful job by walking in the woods. One day she chances upon Morgan Green. He’s hypnotic in more ways than one and Ava doubles back to take another look at him. A mystery man, an enigma, sexy as hell, Morgan just might be the man Ava longs for.
Morgan discovers his home is under threat from developers, and decides to fight back.
His beauty and gentleness hide a powerful man. Who is he really?
New cover for The Picnic

Read the tease
When the sun woke Ava as it streamed through her bedroom window the next morning, she stretched, realizing she felt happy. She sang little snatches of favorite songs as she dressed, and checked her bag for the things she would need to get started on her work in the forest.
Ava was still singing as she drove to the smallholding and parked in the yard at the front. The ‘For Sale’ signs had been partially covered over with stick-on ‘Sold’ labels in red and white. The former owner of the smallholding had left as soon as the contracts were exchanged and the place had a sad air about it.
Ava walked down through the fields and past the few pens, now empty of chickens and piglets, to the edge of the woods that were under threat.
She was unsure where Morgan might meet her, at this side of the woods or the other side, and so for a short time she took photographs of the oldest oak and ash trees. She looked around. It felt as if someone was watching her, but she could see no one. She took out her small, sharp pruning shears to take a sample of a particular plant. She’d placed the cutting in a small, plastic zip-lock bag when she looked around again certain someone or something was watching her.
She didn’t see or hear anyone and so she wandered further into the wild forest where the trees were growing very close to each other, some covered in ivy. Ava saw mistletoe growing on an old oak and she went towards it, fascinated. The pearly berries were already there, and the plant looked especially healthy and festive amongst the oak leaves that had the slightest hint of gold on the edges.
The hairs rose on Ava’s neck as she realized she wasn’t alone. She closed her eyes in fear, but then snapped them open, as she quickly turned to whack the person with her backpack.
It was Morgan, and for a split second, Ava saw him covered in leaves that were green, copper, red, and gold. His eyes, instead of the wonderful blue she knew, appeared bright green.
She stepped back from him, gasping.
“Ava, I’m sorry, did I startle you? You looked so fascinated by the mistletoe I didn’t want to call out.” Morgan’s blue eyes expressed concern. He held out his arms to shelter her within them and chase away the fear he saw in her eyes.
Ava stepped into the circle of his arms and he hugged her to his chest. It was comforting and he had the loveliest fragrance of spruce and cedar about him.
“Morgan,” she almost whispered his name. “I’ve been feeling watched since I got into the forest, so you did startle me a little.”
He took her face in his hands to kiss her slowly and tenderly. “Maybe it was the forest sprites, the woodland elves, or maybe squirrels. There are heaps here.” He hugged her. “Are you okay?”
She grinned. “Yes, thank you. You very nearly got a whack with my backpack.”
Morgan smiled, but didn’t comment, and took her hand to lead her further into the forest.
“I’ll show you where a rare orchid grows wild.”
Ava held his hand tightly. It was so good to feel his skin.
Copyright Elodie Parkes and Side Street Cookie Publishing 2015
Reviewed:
http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/short-story-review-picnic-fall-equinox.html
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/14446
HOP to the next #MWTease
1.
Sandra Bunino
2.
Siobhan Muir
3.
Angelica Dawson
4.
Carlene Love Flores
5.
Doris O'Connor
6.
S. J. Maylee
7.
Nicola Cameron Writes
8.
Kiru Taye Writes
9.
Jacey Holbrand
10.
Living the Dream
11.
elodie parkes erotic romance
12.
Raw Talent Series
13.
Lucy Felthouse
14.
London's Scribbles
15.
Raven McAllan
16.
Michaela Rhua

















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A peek at Claudie and Jasper for #midweektease today #erotic #romance #lovescene

It's mid week tease again and we continue to take a peek at the contemporary erotic fantasy, Forever Blue.




Claudie’s bed was made, with the quilt pulled up to the pillows, and then smoothed down. Jasper laid her on there and leaned over her.

“You’re so very lovely, Claudie.” He unzipped her jeans as he kissed her.

Claudie was the happiest she’d been for a long time. This man’s attention made her heart sing. True, she hardly knew him, but it felt right. She had instincts about people and animals too. He felt safe. It felt as if they had a deep connection and Claudie loved what he did to her. She didn’t know how much she needed sex until Jasper gave it. She reveled in his touch.

His hands traced her hipbones as he kissed her. He surrounded her with what felt like love. His masculine scent mixed with his forest smell evoked a sexual haze that freed her inhibitions. She helped him pull her jeans down and then she lifted her arms for him to take her sweater off.

“Take your clothes off, Jasper. Let me watch you.”

He stood. He looked into her eyes as he undressed.

Claudie felt her panties wet against her throbbing pussy when Jasper dragged off his shirt. He’d told her she was lovely, but he was pure sex to her. She wanted to hold him and lick along the V of his hips as they dipped down to his cock. She watched as he pushed off his jeans and revealed his erection. Claudie licked her lips. Just thinking about tracing the shape at the head of his luscious cock with her tongue, gave her another drench of wet heat in her pussy. Her clit felt huge as she squirmed against her panties wanting his fingers in her.

He leaned over her. She thought she’d come just from the look he gave her as he bent his head to place a kiss on the hollow at the base of her neck.

She held his head, taking fistfuls of his dark hair.

He brought his face to hers and traced his tongue over her lips until she opened them.

His body was a couple of inches above hers as he supported himself on his forearms, and she grabbed his hips to pull him down onto her. She craved the feel of his cock against her stomach.

They kissed each other breathless.

He drew back to smile at her before he nibbled down her neck.

She murmured soft sounds, not even words. All she could think about was having his cock thrust inside her.

When he moved from between her legs to lie by her side she groaned in disappointment.

She looked up into his gorgeous face.

He was propped on one elbow, and smiled at her again. He traced his fingers down her stomach to rest tantalizingly just above where she wanted them to be.

She lifted her hips to him, hoping his hand would slip down and he’d feel how wet she was, how much she needed him.

He closed his eyes as he leaned toward her face and kissed her tenderly. His fingers slid along her wet pussy and then he pushed them into her.

His thumb was against her clit, pressing deliciously. Claudie purred against his lips as they kissed. She rocked against the palm of his hand to have his fingers deeper inside her pussy. She held his shoulder muscles and moaned into his mouth. Her orgasm was building rapidly and she thrust her hips to his pumping.

Against her mouth, he whispered, “Come for me. I’m crazy about you. You feel so good.”

The words filtered through her lust numbed mind as she dug her fingernails into his back when she came, gasping at the intensity of the orgasm.

Jasper removed his fingers gently and lay between her legs.

Claudie ran her fingertips up and down the sides of his body. “Thrust into me.” Her voice was made throaty from his nearness, his cock between her thighs, and the way her clit still pulsed.

“Oh, I will.” Jasper whispered into her ear.

A shiver of pleasure ran down to her breasts as he licked her ear. He trailed his tongue down her neck to suck as he slowly pushed his hard thick cock into her pussy. The feel of him, inch after inch, slowly filling her until he gave a final hard thrust was delicious. She held him tight and reached to suck at his neck the way he sucked at hers.

They both softly moaned as they sucked and in unison brought their mouths together to kiss each other slowly, tenderly and then hungrily.

Jasper thrust his cock in and out of her fast and hard. Then he slowed down and raising himself on his knees, he lifted her hips and looked into her eyes.

Claudie’s eyes were only half-open. They were heavy with lust. She felt drugged with sex, but she saw his eyes, and thought they were full of tenderness.

His thrusts were slow as he held her hips and his cock grazed her swollen clit. His hands possessed her hips and he fucked her until she came again moaning his name. Jasper held her under her bottom and pulled her hard onto his cock.

Claudie heard him groan, and then he pounded his cock into her as he came. She opened her eyes to see him come. His eyes were closed and his head thrown back a little. He looked erotic, beautiful, so sexy, and she sighed with pleasure. He’s so gorgeous. I think I’m falling in love with him, or falling in sex with him. I might love him soon. Her thoughts made her smile.

Jasper opened his eyes and gazed at her. He still held her under the bottom. His cock pulsed in her pussy. He smiled. “I’m falling in love with you.” His voice was soft and low.

Claudie held her arms up for him to lie against her, and be held. “I’m falling in love with you too.” She whispered it as if it was a secret she didn’t want the universe to hear. I don’t want to lose him. I want to know him, love him, and keep him forever.

He lay in her arms and clasped her body to his, rolling them both onto their sides face to face. He smiled and kissed by the side of her mouth. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a long time.” He kissed the tip of her nose and then her lips gently.

She traced her fingertips down his face. She rubbed her face against his and savored his masculine scent. She closed her eyes and nestled into his neck. “Jasper, tell me about yourself.”

He held her head, his hand in her hair, and kissed her forehead.

“I’m just a forester. I love trees and the countryside that’s why I studied to do the job. I’m not very wealthy. I’m thirty. I live…” he hesitated, “I live locally. I want to keep seeing you. I want to know all about you. You’re special to me.”

“Stay with me tonight. Stay, can you? I took you from your work. Stay and we’ll eat some dinner together later.”

Jasper hugged her. “I’d like that very much.”

They snuggled together. Jasper traced his fingers over her hip and down the curve of her thigh as she lay against him, and Claudie fell asleep.

Copyright Elodie Parkes 2013 Hot Ink Press
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A romantic and spooky #midweektease today from contemporary fantasy romance, Forever Blue, #MWTease




Read the tease:


When she arrived home, he was in his usual place on the patio. It was an exceptionally dark night. The moon was covered with dense cloud. Rain fell in huge drops. He heard the Land Rover long before she pulled into her path and parked. Jasper heard her humming. She went through her front door. If she had been to a hide somewhere other than in the local area she was home early, he decided. He listened to the sound of her making a hot drink in her kitchen. He smiled. He couldn’t stop smiling. The sound of her voice flowed over him. It trickled into his mind and heart, lifting his spirits, and giving him hope.

Jasper stood silently by the holly tree and close to the biggest potted trees. One of them was shaped into a ball. He liked that. When the conservatory door opened and Claudie stepped out, he froze in the darkness and the shadow of the holly. The house security lights had recently failed on that side of the wall, but she was silhouetted in the glow from the working lights by the other side of the door.

Jasper watched her sniff the night air. He saw her expression. She looked puzzled. Then she was walking towards him. He tried to melt further into the shadows.

She picked up a garden fork that leaned against the house wall and held it out in front of her. The row of metal prongs looked lethal.

“I can see you. Who are you? What do you want? You have ten seconds to beat it, buddy, and then I scream for my husband.”

Jasper’s surprise pinned him to the spot. She can see me. How is that possible? Unless, unless, she is the one.

He saw her hesitate. He knew there was no husband, and now she must be deciding he’d called her bluff. If she could see him, then maybe she’d be able to hear him too.

“I’m sorry. I was only taking shelter from the rain for a few minutes. I don’t mean any harm.” He held out his hands by his sides in a gesture meant to convey that he was harmless.

She raised the garden fork a little as if his movement scared her.

He bent his head and his shoulders drooped. “I’m really no threat. I’ll leave, if you let me pass.”

She put down the garden fork. “What are you doing out here? There’s nothing around for miles. The road leads nowhere.”

Jasper edged sideways to leave. His thoughts tumbled in his head. A weight of sadness threatened to force tears from his eyes. He could only just bear the thought that she was afraid of him. He stuttered. “I…I’m lost.”

Claudie looked at him intently. He saw her frown.

“I can call you a cab. Where are you going?”

He shook his head. “No. I’ll walk back along the lane to the road.” Jasper moved, this time more quickly.

Claudie stepped back, but called. “Wait. You’re drenched. I can’t see anyone just wander off into the night like that.”

Jasper’s heart contracted. He wished he’d met her in the day, on the road, or somewhere she wouldn’t decide he was a threat. She could be the one and he loved her. His stomach ached with sorrow. He turned and in a burst of speed, he fled. A mist of spruce perfume hit Claudie and she stared after him.

He stopped at the bottom of the garden and looked back. She was inside, locking the door and he could see she still had the garden fork leaning against her hip in readiness. She’d taken it in for a weapon. He shook his head. How strange, he’d watched her all summer, and she’d shown no sign of knowing he was there. What alerted her to his presence this night? He felt desolate. He leapt the box that hedged the back of her garden and ran the length of the field.



****



At her bedroom window, Claudie saw a blue glow flashing through the rain. She stared out into the darkness. She pressed close to the glass, and as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see the puddles on her garden path. They too had a weird blue glow. She shook her head.

There was something strange about the man on her patio. He reeked of the forest. She wondered if he was homeless and lived there. Maybe the rain drove him out tonight to stand under the roof overhang.

Claudie took a shower and went to bed.

Copyright Elodie Parkes2014 Hot Ink Press
A line from a review of Forever Blue, because I love this comment, it's one of the best things ever said I think. (smiles)
"Wait until you find out what, 'Forever Blue' means."
http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B00HFFKEKY










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Welcoming guest author Tara Wood for the Sample Sunday feature this week

Welcome Tara Wood to the blog

Tara divides her time between creating domestic bliss and creating hot paranormal romance with the occasional side of kink. When not playing June Cleaver for her hubby and daughter, she can be found at the local Starbucks slamming back Frappuccinos and plotting out her next idea. Or she’s watching the BBC. Tara resides with her wonderful and tolerant family in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. She is currently at work on several projects, one of them being the next book in her In Blood series.

 
Murder is serious business among vampires. If you kill, so do they. They are the Penitent – a military order among vampire society charged with one task only. Execute the condemned. 

Vesper Hyde is a model Penitent. Solitary. Skilled. Deadly. Only once has she ever lost a target, even though it almost cost her life. Now the one that got away is back with a vengeance, and this time he’s determined to finish the job. She needs to overcome the whispers of doubt and let her instinct and training take over to redeem her failure. But on this second time around, she doesn’t expect a sidekick. A very sexy, stubborn, human sidekick.

Homicide Detective Decker Price has seen it all, including the murder of his wife at the hands of a twisted serial killer. When another murder pitches him headfirst into a world of vampires, witches, and sorcery, he is given a chance to mend shattered parts of his soul. But Vesper’s world is as dark and alluring as the Penitent herself and he will come face to face with echoes of his past in order to help her keep a vicious enemy at bay.
If they are to succeed, they will need to push aside both their failings and work together to ensure the balance of their worlds remains unchanged. Redemption comes at a cost – is their love worth the price?


Excerpt from Redemption in Blood

He didn't look like a man who kept secrets, but she knew better. Vesper watched him push around the last few bites of lunch on his plate with his fork and wondered if confrontation was the best option. Would he lie and deny he called his partner or would he be straight up if asked? Would it start a fight? If it did, would she even care? Vesper's heart clenched. Yes. She would care deeply. Decker laid his fork on the plate, wiped his mouth with his napkin, placed it on the table and regarded her with the same cool expression she was giving him.
“You're awfully quiet. You barely spoke to me, chére.” The half-smile was somewhere between smug and sweet and the sparkle in his sapphire eyes only added to the unreadable expression.

She smiled back. “Didn't want to disturb your lunch. You missed breakfast and I didn't want you getting all hypoglycemic on me. I know I'm hell to be around when I'm hungry.”
He patted his stomach appreciatively. “No worries there. Lunch was good. Too good, in fact. If you turned off the lights, I might be forced to nap here under the table,” he chuckled. The rumble in his voice rolled up her spine like thunder. She drew in a deep breath as she sat back in the carved wood dining chair and contemplated how to broach the subject. A hint of spice and chocolate hit her palate as the air wafted over her tongue. Damn the man and damn the scent.

Decker pushed the chair back from the table and headed out of the kitchen to the back stairs. She darted after him.
“Where do you think you're going?” she asked.
He paused on the second floor landing and looked back at her, the hard line across his brow moving his expression from unreadable to mightily annoyed in a flash. “Back to the room. If that's okay with you, chère?” He turned and continued upward, not waiting for a response. He flung the door to her room open and strode inside, not bothering to close it behind him. She stepped inside and kicked it shut. 

Decker began rifling though his bag and fished out a clean set of clothes, a few toiletries, and the box of shotgun shells.
“What are you going to do with those?” She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned at him. What in the hell was he up to?
“Presently, I'm going to go take a shower,” he said, taking off his shirt, “since 'your guy' was kind enough to remove the staples this morning.” He looked down at the pink ridge of tissue and kicked off his boots.
“I meant the shells.”
“There's enough time for a trip to town before tonight, so I thought I'd bring along Betsy for insurance.” His hands dropped to the fly on his jeans. Vesper's mouth went dry.
“Insurance?” she croaked.
Decker's face froze into a tight mask. “Yeah.” Those blue eyes locked onto her face. “I'm not letting that bastard get the drop on me again.”
She dropped the bomb. “Is that why you called C.C.? Because you think he's got the drop on us?”
He stiffened. “Are you spying on me?” he asked quietly.
“It's not really spying when you stand in the bathroom with the door halfway open. Spying would be getting up out of bed to peek at you through the keyhole like a nine-year old girl at a slumber party. Overhearing the conversation because you're yakking it up in a tiled echo chamber, not so much. Were you trying to hide it from me?” she asked sarcastically.
“No.” His tone was flat.
“Then you don't need to be defensive, do you?” she finished. The determination in his eyes started to make a few things clear. He was going to find Howard and Victor. And if that meant going behind her back and defying her, he was fine with it. Definitely a departure from his earlier stance. She wondered what other risks he was willing to take for Miranda's memory.

He strode past her with the change of clothes and shut the bathroom door. She couldn't help but think the hard slam of the door meant something.

Miranda. The woman was an enigma. Vesper knew virtually nothing about her. She was beautiful; that much she knew from the photo she'd glanced at on his desk what seemed like ages ago. What kind of woman was she? What kind of woman held so much sway over a man even after her death? And it wasn't just her death. It was everything about her that Decker was clinging to. Just who was she? She thought about the faint line on his ring finger, a line that shouldn't exist after so long. The pale circle on his tanned skin was proof it hadn't been that long since he'd stopped wearing the ring. Vesper closed her eyes. The answer was simple. Miranda was a woman who was still deeply loved. 

The muffled sound of the shower spray brought her eyes to the door and she sat down on the edge of her bed, her thoughts drifting from the wife to the widower in her bathroom. Everything was happening so fast and she had fallen into his arms with a swiftness that startled her. Him, too. Maybe it was too much too soon, but they were both on a course to exorcise demons that had long lay buried. Now they were coming to the surface and Vesper was suddenly afraid that what brought them together would ultimately lead them apart.
The blood rushed in her veins and quickened her pulse. This is what I get for dealing with them, she thought. Humans. Their ties to life and death were convoluted and messy. It just wasn't that way with her kind. She was used to survival and propagation. Lust and desire by-products of a function that kept her species enduring for thousands of years. And here she was, a warrior by any number of standards, revered among her kind, bemoaning over a man who couldn't let go of the memory of a dead woman. The knot in her belly twisted some more and she put her heavy head in her hands. Warrior or not, how do you compete with a ghost?
The rush of the water hit her ears again and she swallowed back a harsh sob. Decker was no more than ten feet away, but it felt like he was already gone.

*****

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