Love Charm for Carlotta

Blurb: Carlotta doesn’t believe in love charms. Especially not when the bad boy hockey player from her past suddenly re-appears in her life.

But the small town island atmosphere of Martha’s Vineyard conspires against her when she tries to escape him. Do people change, or will she be courting heartbreak again if she succumbs to her high school sweetheart?

Six-Paragraph Snippet:

Thank God she was still wearing her dress. As Carlotta pushed herself to her feet, she caught a glimpse of her torn panties gleaming whitely in the moonlight.

Jace’s gaze followed hers. He grinned. “Lost cause, babe. But look on the bright side. You’re gonna have to ride home on the Harley commando.”

Oh, Lord. Holding onto him all the way.

Carlotta smoothed down her dress, as if she might press away any trace of Jace Burton from her life. But it was no use. All she could think about was him, standing naked in the moonlight, watching her. She was doomed. The word echoed in her head like a deep bell.

Dooooomed. Dooooomed. As if an evil witch had—

She gasped. “The love charm!”

Excerpt here

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New Release: Eclipse of the Heart!

To provide for her seriously ill sister, a sexy junior executive accepts a high-paying, somewhat mysterious job with a hard-driving business tycoon, but he thinks he’s hired a new mistress.

Amanda Thompson is offered her dream job as a junior executive at a Manhattan venture firm. The terms are a little vague, but she has a seriously ill sister to provide for, and her new boss is a seriously attractive man. Failure is not an option, so she’ll keep her eye on the prize, and her heart and body out of the mix…despite the boss’s overly personal interest in her.

Logan Winter is a hard-driving business tycoon who likes his sex life hot and his emotional life cold. His new high-end call girl is a little different from the ordinary bimbos who fill the role. That’s okay, since he’s ready for different. Even discovering the mistake that’s been made is okay, because he knows how to get what he wants…and he wants Amanda.

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Excerpt:

Logan stopped in front of Amanda, crowding her. The relaxation of his attire hadn’t subdued his magnetism. His high-planed cheekbones, well-defined jaw and slash of black eyebrows still marked him as a strong, damnably attractive man. She could smell him, his faint, spicy cologne overlaid on a trace of soap.

“May I help you off with your jacket?” He touched her shoulder. “You don’t look comfortable.”

She stepped away from him. “You shouldn’t make personal comments.” Why did she feel and sound like a maiden aunt? “Though I know we’ll be working together closely, I expect both of us to maintain a professional attitude.”

“A professional attitude,” he repeated. He placed his drink down on the glass dining table beside her, and the little clinking sound chimed like a warning bell. He began rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.

Amanda stared at him. She could tell his actions were automatic, but they still made her uneasy.

There were only two possibilities here. Either her vivid imagination had run away with her, drawing a scenario of sexual attraction where none existed. Or, she stood in danger of succumbing to the dangerous appeal of this man, a course of action which would jeopardize everything she intended to achieve. Either way, she could only lose if she didn’t keep her wits about her.

“I intend to perform this job to the best of my ability,” she said. “As I told you before.”

“You take an unusual amount of pride in your…ah, profession.”

Her back stiffened. “I work hard.”

His lips twitched. “Don’t worry about my ego.”

She barely restrained a snort. He had enough ego for ten men. “The agency told me you were a demanding boss.” Let his ego take that.

Surprise flitted across his face. “I suppose that’s true.” He smiled at her. “Though I save the rough stuff for my business adversaries.”

“I don’t mind a tough boss. You warned me that this was a job, nothing more.”

“I have every intention of treating you with respect. So forget the tough boss routine.”

“What do you mean?” Now she was surprised.

He took a step toward her. “I’d prefer to show you what I mean.”

She froze in bewildered shock as he folded his arms around her. He bent his head, and before she knew what he meant to do, he touched his lips to hers. Just a soft, warm brush of his mouth over hers. Nothing threatening at all. If she didn’t count the buzz that ran over every one of her nerves.

“Logan!” She tried to step back, but his arms didn’t release her.

Instead, he reached up and massaged the back of her neck. Pleasure sizzled over her skin and she dropped her shoulders to allow him more access. Oh, that felt good.

His long fingers explored an inch or two down into the back of her blouse. “You’re very tense,” he said. “It will be better for you if you can relax.”

“I don’t need to relax.” She needed to breathe. Before she collapsed at his feet, and he got the wrong idea about how he made her feel. Because this wasn’t right.

He didn’t seem to be getting the same message.

“I told the agency I wanted someone different,” he said, licking the edge of her mouth with his hot tongue. “But I didn’t expect them to be so successful.” He angled his head and kissed her neck.

“I hardly think the agency had anything to do with this.”

“Mmmm.” He dropped another light kiss on her mouth. “Physical attraction is hard to predict.”

“I’m not attracted to you!” Her breath strangled in her throat as she fought a moan. His hands were very close now to the undersides of her breasts.

“Are you sure about that?”

His tongue licked her lips and her mouth fell open, without any decision on her part. He swept in, and this time he kissed her hard. So hard she had to kiss him back. So hard that their tongues couldn’t avoid tangling. So hard that it was only natural for his arms to sweep around her and crush her to him.

She tasted whiskey on his tongue, smelled heat on his skin, and heard murmurs of approval in his throat.

No, she wasn’t sure about anything. Except the fact that she couldn’t do this. She couldn’t be thinking about twining her legs around his waist, or falling back on the plush sofa and turning it into a bed. If she had to think about beds, she should picture her sister lying in her narrow hospital bed, wires snaking in and around her body, with a sheet tucked in tightly, as if awaiting a corpse. The image chilled her, and she shivered. Would she allow an emotion as transitory as desire to sway her from her course?

His mouth moved down her neck as he pressed kisses both hard and tender to her. He bit her where her neck met her shoulder, just as his roaming hands feathered over her breasts. She stiffened and melted at the same time. A response that allowed her to both twine herself against him and to arch her back. Her purse fell to the floor, and the thump registered a wake-up call.

“Logan,” she said, struggling to repeat the words. Lie or not, she had to say them to stop this dangerous madness. “I’m not attracted to you.”

He released her just enough to look down at her. “So why are your nipples hard?”

“Because you’ve been manhandling them!”

His half smile showed, though his face looked a little strained. “Yeah, technically I suppose they have been handled by a man. With great pleasure.”

“Look, I’ve had a long day.” If she didn’t get out of this room, she might grab him. “I’d like to retire to my room. Will you need me tonight for work?”

He raised his brows. “Yes, I will need you,” he said firmly. “Perhaps you’d like to change into something more comfortable?” Dropping his hands, he glanced at his watch. “Shall we say half-an-hour?”

“Fine.” She suppressed a sigh. He had told her this would be her first night on the job. “Though I don’t need to change,” she added. “What will you want me to do?”

His gaze, which had been lingering on her breasts, snapped to her face.

“Amanda, you’re a sharp woman. Right from the beginning I liked that about you.”

She took a step back. “Your point is?”

“Look, unless you’re wearing a plaid skirt and knee socks, the ingénue approach isn’t my thing.”

“The ingénue approach?” He’d reduced her to a parrot.

“The dumb, innocent act. Even in the right outfit, it wouldn’t be my first choice.”

“I …” She opened and closed her mouth. Words failed her. Had she taken a job with a pervert? Damn! It had seemed so perfect! “What are you talking about?”

“Are you new at this?” he demanded, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at her. “Because I’m sure I’ve told the agency I want only experienced women. And no games.”

“You know exactly what my experience is.” Amanda grabbed her purse from the floor. “But if you don’t like to play games, then stop speaking in riddles. Just tell me plainly what you want.”

“Fine.” He jerked his hand toward her. “Get undressed.”
*****

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Baby, It’s Cold Outside

While I was driving my three kids through a winter blizzard to a ski race in Vermont, my traveling husband was dining at the Fort Lauderdale airport with a porn star.

Ha! Got your attention? I want that line to be the start of a novel some day, but it happens to also be the truth.

If you live in New England, you need to love the snow and the way to love it is to get outdoors and enjoy all the fun winter sports. Hence, in my family, we are all skiers, and part of that is being on ski teams. You attend the races, whether it’s snowing or 16 degrees below zero or whatever.

But you want to hear about the porn star, right? Okay, this is hubby’s story and I’m in no position to dispute it. This woman had been swanning around the Fort Lauderdale airport, and hubby said hordes of men were flocking behind her. (Really? Have you guys no dignity at all?) She was dressed in denim short shorts, a red tank top and high heels.

My husband went into a restaurant to eat lunch, and was joined by a stranger (a man) because the restaurant was very crowded. They chatted while eating, and then the porn star appeared, getting in line at the counter to get her meal. This stranger went right up to her and invited her back to their table (since she wasn’t going to find a seat in the packed restaurant, ahem). So they all ate lunch together. Hubby said she told them about how her family (somewhere in Asia) disapproved of her livelihood. But she seemed happy. The truth is, he often finds himself in odd situations with strangers, so none of this surprises me.

Also, I have the better story since I was flashed by a kilt-wearing Scotsman at Oktoberfest in Austria. So now I DO know what they wear under that kilt. And I tell all in The Naked Male Tour of Austria.

We’re all here to talk about romances between snowbound couples. What could be more romantic with the right person? A cozy fire, no interruptions, and lots of time to play. This is exactly what happens in my novella, Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Now Available!

This novella was nominated for Best Romance this year at eFestival of Words!

Jenna entices the man of her dreams into providing a haven for the weekend during a New York City blizzard. Her tools are her flirting skills dressed up with a bit of deception. She needs to make amends for the great wrong she did to him five years ago. Tricking him into having sex would only add to that wrong.

Though he’s never met Jenna before, Grant is immediately drawn to this blizzard-bopping beach babe. He’ll do her, but he doesn’t do deception. He thinks he’s spotted her minor trickery, but the big secret that blew up his life is waiting in the wings…

And things are about to heat up.

Excerpt:

Grant watched Jenna shiver, despite the heat of the blaze that scorched his back. He didn’t know why she wasn’t warming up more quickly. Between the fire and the smoking hot woman in front of him, he might have to venture out into the blizzard himself to cool down. His stupid, clueless body didn’t care how lame her story was.

“How long have you known my sister?” His family was a subject that could kill his libido if anything could.

“Several years. I met Kate when I first moved to Florida. Recently, I took one of the classes she teaches at the community center.”

He nodded neutrally. He didn’t care about the damn classes.

“You shouldn’t blame Kate for anything I do,” Jenna added. “She doesn’t think I should be let out after dark without a keeper.”

Grant eyed her bedraggled state. “She might have a point—”

“Hey! I did not pop out of a cake! I am not your singing birthday telegram! So you can just stop eyeing me like I’m your playmate du jour.” She bolted upright and her feet hit the floor.

“Calm down.” He moved after her as she stood, and caught her arm. He was a little appalled at the sense of dismay that had whipped through him when she started to leave. “You can’t go. There’s a terrible storm out there.”

“I came in from that storm, and I can go right back out in it. I’m every bit as tough as I look.”

He couldn’t help laughing. “You don’t look tough at all.” Long, golden brown hair, curling a bit now that it was drying. Big brown eyes that managed to look both uncertain and inviting at the same time. And lips as full as Cupid’s arched bow. Just waiting to strike and slay a man.

She wrenched her arm from his hand. “And don’t patronize me.”

He held up a hand and pantomimed wiping the smile off his face. “Okay then. You are tougher than that ten line algorithm I’ve been working on over there.” He jerked his head towards his computer. “Lord knows it doesn’t talk back like you do.”

She stifled a giggle.

But he didn’t feel like laughing any more. Her arm had still been cold and, when he considered the state of her clothes, he couldn’t be surprised.

“There won’t be any cabs out there, anyway,” he reminded her.

“I got a cab to come here.” She edged away from him.

He grasped her arm again, surprised at his own determination to keep her. “That cab driver was real anxious to hit the road and get home. He said the only good thing about this weather was that the streets are deserted.”

“There’s the subway.”

“They have problems in bad weather, too. Besides, the way you’re dressed you can’t go anywhere.” His eyes strayed to her tits for the hundredth time since she’d appeared. Though he tried not to be obvious, a woman couldn’t dress like she did and not expect a man to look.

“You could lend me a sweatshirt.”

He eyed her sexy sandals. Aside from their complete inability to protect her from the snow, he damn well knew what the message was. As would any other man who saw her in them. “I can’t help you with your footwear. And a sweatshirt with your bare legs sticking out—” He shook his head. “Not safe for public viewing.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Are you kidding? You must know you have fabulous legs.”

“A leg man, are you?”

“Nope. More of a boobs and butts guy myself. Since you asked.” He couldn’t help grinning at her flustered face. “But I like anything and everything on the right woman.”

“I am not the right woman for—for whatever you might be implying.”

“Don’t be so defensive. You can’t go anywhere ’til you warm up.” He slung his arm around her shoulders. “I’ve got some body heat to share.” He tugged her to his side.

Wow, she smelled good. Snow and roses. A potent combination. Especially when combined with a barely-there outfit, a rack to die for, and those legs.

He tried to inhale discreetly. She was up to something more than what she’d told him. He knew that for a fact. But he’d been holed up in his apartment for days, working like the devil, and he could definitely use a break. Besides, he really couldn’t send her back out into the blizzard.”

He glanced out the window where the snow fell silently out of the dark sky, backlit by the lights of New York City. Its beauty didn’t hide its dangers. She had no money, no warm clothes, and nowhere to go, unless he chose to believe her story about the friend she could call. Which he didn’t.

But, even if she was a liar, what harm could she do him? He might as well take advantage of the opportunity fate had dropped into his lap. So to speak. Because his lap was the part insisting as loudly as possible that Jenna should stay at least until it got some relief.

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Reviews:

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside is hot, hot, hot…perfect for a snowy winter night or ANY night. I read this gem of a book in one sitting! ” (Teri on Amazon)

“This sexy short romance will warm you to your toes. I loved how the reader’s comprehension of the heroine’s initial situation kept changing as the hero discovered more about her. ” (Heather Hiestand on Amazon)

Please join other fun and romantic bloggers at the Snowbound Love Blog Hop (see sidebar). We’ll be hopping from Jan. 10-13. If you’d like to enter my contest for a $10 Amazon gift certificate, please comment below. Do you have a favorite romantic winter activity?