Once

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

            Once

Author: M.S. Kaye
Genre: Inspirational Romance
Buy: Jupiter Garden Press

Excerpt:

“What’s the answer?”

He paused. “A switchblade.”

With my fingertips, I reached out and traced the scar across his cheek. “Did you win?”

He removed my hand and closed his eyes. “Yes.”

I slid his Book back to him. “This says we can find forgiveness.”

His eyes still closed, his jaw clenched. He bowed his head. “It also says ‘Thou shalt not kill.’”

I took his hand in both of mine, petted his rough skin, and then brought it to my lips. He had a talent for guiding invisibly, but I didn’t know how to do that.

He watched me again. His eyes were intense, like the black of the night sky, and his forehead was furrowed, as if his emotions were scattered, as if he was shocked at my reaction, as if he had been sure his answer would drive me away. But I knew him. Already, I knew him.

“You’re still a good person,” I said.

His jaw clenched. “I’ve been trying to believe that.”

“I have faith in you.”

He continued to watch me. His forehead never smoothed, as if he was fighting for strength, but his eyes softened. He slid around the booth, closer to me.

I didn’t move, not sure what to do, what was right, what he wanted.

He leaned closer.

I only watched him.

He touched his lips to my cheek, the faintest pressure. I struggled to sit still, to keep my hands in my lap, not to grab hold of him. And then his lips were gone, such brief contact that I couldn’t be sure if he had actually kissed my cheek or if I wanted his contact so much that I imagined it.

He spoke in my ear. “You must be some kind of final test.”

My heart pounded into my ribs, against the point of the blade. “Are you going to pass?”

His lips brushed against my jaw. “I don’t know.”

He trailed to my neck, his mouth softly pressing. My hand curled into his hair, the other on his shoulder, holding, clutching. His mouth found mine, barely touching. His warmth invaded my head.

“God give me strength,” he murmured.

The door slid open, and the compartment filled with laughter.

He closed his eyes. Then he slid away from me.

 

Website: www.BooksByMSK.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BooksByMSK
Twitter: @mskosciuszko

Jack and Diane

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

             Jack and Diane

Author: Lena Hampton
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

No cars had passed by her. She frequently checked that the hazard lights were on; they were. Finally, after over an hour of waiting a vehicle pulled up behind her. It was a big black truck with the spotlights on the top. Was that a gun rack? Yep. That was also a confederate vanity plate. They say you should not look a gift horse in the mouth, but she was debating which was worse, dying of hypothermia or dying from some torture at the hands of a racist hick.

“Hi. Ma’am? Did you need some help?”

The Cold Warriors Universe Book Two- Ice and Peace

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt
The Cold Warriors Universe Book  Two - Ice and Peace

Author: Clare Dargin
Genre: Mainstream/Military Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

Caitlin was a sight for sore eyes. She was beautiful. Her petite frame was perfectly accented by the curves of her figure. And her brown eyes and coffee-brown skin was smooth, creamy.

Standing at attention, she did not meet his gaze. Though it was customary not to do as a sign of military courtesy, he could tell she was not doing it for that reason. Her gaze was different. Circling her, he tried to see if he could catch her watching him out of the corner of her eye. In fact, she appeared to be staring blankly ahead.

Peering directly at her, he spoke in a soft tone. “At ease.”

Transcending Dawn - Volume 1

Tantalizing Thursday

 

Excerpt

              

              The Deception

Author: P.A. Whitfield
Genre: Mainstream/Paranormal/Romantic Suspense
Buy: Topaz Publishing,LLC

Excerpt:

Dylan drove to the lake and parked near a stretch of beach. Given the time of year, the shore would be deserted. They’d have the solitude they needed to talk unencumbered. For an extended moment, they sat in silence, enjoying the tranquility. It had been a difficult day; the seclusion was a welcomed relief.

The moonlight reflected off the water and provided they only illumination. However, Chrissie could see for miles off the bay. She preferred darkness to sunlight. Once she settled down, she closed her eyes and leaned against the headrest. Serenity washed over her and erased the stress of the last few hours.

Without warning, Dylan disrupted the stillness. “I thought we came here to talk.”

The Rules of Engagement

 

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

               The Rules of Engagement

Author: Jillian Leigh
Genre: Mainstream/Historical/Regency Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

(Hugh Trevalyn has just proposed to the beautiful Lucy Meriwether. But now she has decided she must meet his former fiancée…)

“If you love me, you will want to put my mind at ease. You must arrange a meeting.”

“Why, it is quite impossible,” he said, fervently hoping, but not expecting, that she would take him at his word.

“All things are possible when a man desires to make them so,” she whispered, her hands curling around his back and coming to rest lightly on his buttocks. Any exasperation he’d felt now evaporated in a dreamy haze of imagining all the ways he would make love to her if he only had the chance. “Do you desire to make this possible?” she went on in a husky voice. “Do you desire me?”

“God, yes,” he said on a groan.

Once Every Spring

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

                 Once Every Spring

Author: Lisa Logan
Genre: Mainstream Romance/Urban Fantasy
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

Dana shook her head, feeling the first throbbing beats of a headache. Too bad her psychosis hadn’t thought to bring coffee along for the ride. “I don’t understand. You say you don’t know where this is, but you can visit whenever you want?”

The stranger turned to her, the sun hitting his green eyes in a way that lit a fire in her abdomen. “Not whenever I want.”

“How, then?” She had trouble matching his long, easy strides. “Do you wish yourself here? Did you know what would happen the first time? Can you leave any time?”

Leaving Who

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

 

Sequel to Loving Who

 
                    Leaving Who

Author: Cynthianna
Genre: Mainstream/Fantasy Romance
Buy: Mojocastle

Excerpt:

     “You want…more than…me?”
     His wide eyes and quivering lip betrayed how stunned John Smith was by my revelation, but somehow he still sounded indignant. The depth of his self-love knew no bounds. I could see the first Doctor booming such an arrogant statement to his companions who, of course, would reply apologetically, “Right you are. You know what’s best, Doctor.”
    

Banking on Temperance

 

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

               Banking on Temperance

Author: Becky Lower
Genre: Mainstream/Historical Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

Temperance sputtered and fumed, breathing fire as the door to Basil’s apartment staircase closed behind him. That no-good, self-centered a**! How dare he say their friendship had been destroyed by her ambition! If they’d truly been friends, he would have stood by her and championed her clever attempts to get her family moved westward. But once he introduced her to Jake, it was as if he’d turned his back on her. She could take him turning his back on her as a woman, but not as a friend. She yanked open the door and ran up the stairs.

Topaz Eyes

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

              Topaz Eyes

Author: Nancy Jardine
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary Romance/Ancestral Mystery
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

Inside the tin were two long velvet cases.

“You open them!”

His smile was puzzled since she’d been quite happy to do all the investigating before, without any reference to him.

“What is it?” His words faded as he opened the first – a dark crimson velvet box, the plush so stained with dampness it almost looked white. Most of the loft contents were still in good condition, but this looked to be one of the oldest items they’d uncovered so far.

Keira’s legs trembled. A cool shiver coursed down her spine, the anticipation making the unveiling seem almost creepy.

Affaire de Coeur

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

                Affaire de Coeur

Author: Stephanie O'Hanlon
Genre: Mainstream/Historical Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

“Mademoiselle Dumont?”

     I turned to the voice to see a pair of large dark blue eyes, such a dizzying mix of blue and black with light tints of green staring me in the face. Then his defined, angular shaped face came into focus, which had his straight chin sloping back to his jaw. On top of that I was struck silent by his soft, deep voice repeating my name.
    

     “Madeleine, are you all right?” His dark brown eyebrows arched lightly.

    

Still the One

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

             Still the One

Author: Joan Reeves
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

Ally Fletcher had waited six years for this opportunity. Six long years. There was no way a mere thunderstorm was going to stop her. Of course in Texas, calling this a mere thunderstorm was like saying a Texas tornado was mere puff of wind.

She peered anxiously through the river of rain that washed down the windshield. The sluggish wipers couldn't keep pace with a downpour that reduced visibility to zero. Where was the church? It would be easy to miss through the curtain of falling rain. Suddenly, the church loomed out of the rain like the iceberg that had sunk the Titanic. Ally slammed on the brakes and jerked the steering wheel sharply to the right, trying to make the turn into the parking lot.

Big mistake.

Derailed

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 
              Derailed

Author: Angela K. Austin
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary/Interracial Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

“Damn it!” JoAn Fentress sprinted through the traffic of downtown Memphis, Tennessee – not much compared to Nashville, but enough to stop her from reaching her car. “Wait! Wait!”

The young driver danced to the beat of whatever played through his headphones. He didn’t see her flailing her arms, and definitely didn’t hear her pleas. He continued to hook her car to the back of his truck.

A gust of wind, powered by the bus barreling down the road beside her, blew her skirt in soft waves around her legs. The faster she ran the more the ankle strap of her shoe slipped. With one misplaced step the shoe twisted, along with her ankle, and the heel snapped. She fell to the cold hard ground beneath her, tearing and muddying the papers she carried.

Perfect Partners

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

              Perfect Partners

Author: Stephanie Cage
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:
     Lisa never knew why she said what she said next.

“Wouldn’t it be easier if we didn’t have to pretend?”

Redmond stared at Lisa for a long moment and she couldn’t read his expression. She wished she could swallow the words back, but they were spoken and a lump of tension was forming in her throat. Then he began lifting his hand slowly. She watched, mesmerised, almost feeling the heat of his hand before it reached her cheek. Her mind ran ahead of the reality, seeing his strong fingers cupping her face and drawing her into the kiss she’d found herself daydreaming about earlier.

Even as she imagined his hungry lips on hers and the familiar warmth of his body close against her, the cautious, hurt part of her mind was warning her not to believe it.

Hunting Heartbreak

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

               Hunting Heartbreak

Author: Marie Hampton
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary/Romantic Suspense
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

“How are—I hate these things.” Ryan readjusted his chopsticks for the tenth time.

Kas laughed, and she pointed to a roll covered in sticky rice and topped with roe. “Try this one. It’s really good. Oh, and don’t forget to add this.” She put a dime-sized smear of wasabi on her roll and pushed the cup to Ryan.

He dipped his pinkie in it and sucked off a sizable amount of the green paste. “Ah d***!” He reached for his beer, but it was empty. Instead he grabbed Kas’ sake and chugged it, coughing, eyes watering. Other patrons glared at their table as Kas and Jamie broke out into a fit of raucous laughter.

Duty: a novel of Rhynan

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

              Duty: a novel of Rhynan

Author: Rachel Rossano
Genre: Mainstream/Historical/Fantasy
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

"The red one is mine," he said. 

I didn’t raise my head although instinct urged me to. Father had called me Red. He said I was born screaming, skin deep red like the beets in the garden and hair fiery like the setting sun. The man who spoke was not my father. 

I glanced at him from beneath my cloak’s hood. Arrogant in his size and superior mass, his eyes picked me out of the writhing mass of captives. Early morning sunlight glinted off plain armor and an unadorned helm, yet the unwashed barbarians treated him with the respect due a commander. 

Detour Trail

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

              Detour Trail

Author: Joy V. Smith
Genre: Mainstream/Historical Western Romance
Buy: Melange Books

Excerpt:

“It wasn’t that I didn’t think about you before,” he said; “I felt good just sitting next to you, and you only cared about me getting better and going back to the wood. I thought about touching you, but I knew I’d scare you, and that would be the end of the porch sitting, and I didn’t want Brock to kill me.”

Oh, maybe he did have a sense of humor after all. And he could cook. She might be one of the few women who’d take that into consideration. “Are you sure?” She didn’t want a man who had to be dragged into marriage like a horse being dragged into the corral to be broken. “You don’t want to take another year or two to make up your mind for certain?”

The Doctor and the War Widow

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

 

        The Doctor and the War Widow

Author: Viola Russell
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary Romance
Buy: Red Rose Publishing

Excerpt:

“I can’t believe you’re a Republican.” Harley said the words without rancor and gaped, mouth open. She’d seen Abisi through most of June. They were sitting on the couch in her living room on Fourth of July weekend, sipping wine. Nico lay at Harley’s feet, snoring. He occasionally flicked at a fly that buzzed around him with his bushy tail. Harley had opened her windows so they could appreciate the breeze blowing even on a balmy New Orleans night.

“It’s political.” Abisi drew her closer and took a sip of wine.

“How so?” Harley followed his gaze as he took her in. She could sense his desire, and she’d dressed to encourage it. Spaghetti strap flowered blouse, diaphanous wraparound skirt, and white sandals. She’d seen her stylist the day before and had added the auburn tints that drew stares. His arms were strong as he clasped her shoulders.

Sky Tinted Water

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

              Sky Tinted Water

Author: Keta Diablo
Genre: Mainstream/Historical Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:
Rory and Isabelle attempt to help Jane deliver her first born

Rory returned to the bedchamber to Isabelle's soft. "Jane, can you hear me?"

Garbled words spilled forth.

Rory gasped. "Isabelle, blood, it's everywhere!”

Isabelle swiveled her neck toward the bed. "Dear, God."

Crimson's stains fanned out on the white sheets like ripples in the water. Rory's stomach somersaulted. "Do something . . . anything."

"I think we're too late. Her pelvis is narrow and the babe is lodged in the birth canal.”

Rory hugged her elbows. "Is she going to die?"

"I have to get the baby out. If I don't act now, we'll lose them both."

Cold Warriors

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

              Cold Warriors

Author: Clare Dargin
Genre: Mainstream/Science Fiction Romance
Buy: Decadent Publishing

Excerpt:

Caitlin spun around, showing a face that lacked the sweet innocence he once knew. To him, she still looked just as beautiful to him as the day she left, even more so now. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed her until that moment.

“Sir, please, we are not to associate with one another,” she stated evenly and made her way toward the door.

Sir? Before, he could barely get the word “Colonel” out of her, now she was calling him “sir?” Keegan stepped in her path. His chest tightened and inner strength started to waiver. All the hope and dreams he held of this woman wavered on the edge. Had time dispelled the emotions he’d been sure he’d seen from her—felt from her?

“Why won’t you talk to me?” He placed his hand on her shoulder.

Sh** Kickers & Stilettos

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 
 

Sh** Kickers & Stilettos

Author: Rita Sawyer
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary Romance
Buy: Amazon
Excerpt:

“Dade, glad you’re here. I’m not sure if you two have met. Rosie this is your uncle’s assistant Dade Sebastian. Dade, this is Teddy’s niece Rosalind Crestmont.”

“Nice to see you again.” Rosie offered him her hand.

His big hand wrapped around hers. “You too.”

Rosie gasped more because she recognized his voice from when she arrived, than the tingle she felt from his touch. Both were enough to make her ease her hand out of his grip. She glanced down needing a second to get herself under control. Rosie noticed the shiny black and gray cowboy boots he had on and remembered that her uncle had a similar pair.