 At the advanced age of 19 Bedelia Longmore had resigned herself to becoming the town spinster. Physically, she was not particularly impressive to the male population of Centerville, as her mother so frequently pointed out. Her light-brown hair was extremely wild and curly, and Biddy had given up on taming it. As a rule, her spectacles rested on the tip of her nose, and she was frequently in a hurry. She might start her day out neat as a pin, but by mid afternoon she often appeared frazzled, with her hat perched slightly cock-eyed on her head.
Fortunately, this did not bother Biddy. She had many friends and was well liked by nearly everyone in town. She was observant, intelligent and if one wanted to know what was really going on in Centerville, all one had to do was seek out Bedelia Longmore and ask her. Bedelia began to consider a career. Being an old maid was one thing. Being an old maid with nothing to do other than sit around and listen to her mother lament that fact was untenable! While she might never be a wife and mother, she was certainly capable of making her mark on the world, and she quickly determined she would be the first woman publisher of Centerville’s very own newspaper. She began to plan accordingly. Successful reporter Thornton James arrived from Topeka with a plan. He too was looking for a place to begin his publishing career and had concluded Centerville might be perfect. A chance meeting with Bedelia Longmore was an unexpected stroke of luck. Thorn was immediately taken with the friendly young woman. Biddy was what he considered, pretty enough, but her real appeal sprang from her quick, sharp mind and her witty conversation. She knew everyone, their habits, their preferences and clearly more than she revealed regarding their personal lives. He made up his mind. Centerville it was! He liked Bedelia Longmore! She wasn’t flighty or flirty. She didn’t bat her eyelashes, giggle incessantly, or accidentally drop her handkerchief. No, Bedelia Longmore was unlike any young woman he’d ever met before. Bedelia was quite taken with him as well. Tall, handsome, and intelligent, Thorn seemed to be a perfect gentleman and although she’d never had a beau, if she got to choose, she’d pick him to be her first. Then it happened: “Mr. James,” she said as she hurried to catch up with his long stride. “You never did say what you were planning to do here in Centerville,” she said breathlessly. “I guess I didn’t,” he admitted with a smile. “I was taken completely off guard meeting you. But yes, you should know that I am not a rambling man without means,” he continued. “You see Miss Longmore; I plan to start Centerville’s first newspaper. I’ll see you on Saturday. I really must hurry if I’m going to make my appointment on time. Thank you for taking tea with me, pretty lady.” It was a long time before Biddy moved from that spot. She watched him until he was out of sight and still she stayed as though glued to the boardwalk. A newspaper! He was the reporter and he was planning on starting a newspaper. He was one of the reasons the bank had denied her a loan that very morning! Damn, she’d given him far too much information, told him far too many details and unwittingly passed on some of her best ideas to her competition! Hell’s bells. Let the contest begin! Book 3 in the Come Sundown series, The Newspaper Man and Bedelia is now available at your favorite eBook retailer. Bedelia and Thornton both want the same thing. She has the advantage, for she knows his plans. Unfortunately, Thorn has no idea he's revealed his intentions to his fiercest competitor. With her dearest friends, Carrie Ann and Kate, at her side she sets her out to secure her future, knowing when he finds out there will be hell to pay. For a man who stated he was not a fan of corporal punishment, he's given her a surprising number of warnings that he's looking forward to taking her over his knee and discovering her secrets. Once he makes good on his threats things change. “He’s compromised you then,” Carrie Ann insisted almost jubilantly. “He’ll have to offer for you, and you can then turn him down most cruelly.” Bedelia rolled her eyes before glaring at her friend. “Don’t you see? Now that he’s kissed me, I’m not sure I have the fortitude to refuse him.” Buy Links: Amazon Universal Link Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll enjoy this 'battle of the sexes' American Historical Western Romance. Check out the first two books in the Come Sundown series, The Rancher and Carrie Ann and The Marshal and Kate. Happy Summer Reading! Hugs, Stevie
0 Comments
Hello everyone! I'm welcoming in 2021 with a new release on New Year's Eve, so if you staying in maybe this book will be just perfect for a cold winter's night while we wait for the ball to drop! The Marshal and Kate is book 2 in the Come Sundown series. A hot romance is kicking up some dust in the old west! A sexy Marshal, looking to rope his woman, is about to find himself smack dab in the middle of a mystery. The woman he craves is up to her pretty neck in murder and mayhem! Kate McKutchin has her share of problems. Strong, proud, and fiercely independent, having a man in her life is a complication, but she’s unable to resist the attentions of Martin MacPherson. His midnight raids leave her breathless and sated. Oh, Kate knows the townsfolk gossip about her, however, that is the least of her worries. She has far darker secrets in her past, ones she hopes will never make it this far west. Marshal Martin MacPherson is stuck on Kate and has been from the moment she first appeared in town. She’s troublesome to be sure, but her embrace is one he longs for and it’s his intention to make their relationship permanent. The beautiful redhead has refused him more times than he can count, making him a bit of a territorial joke. Determined to win her he’s not above using a little over-the-knee encouragement, but Kate remains firm. She cannot marry him. It’s not until a wanted poster crosses the marshal’s desk that he begins to wonder just who Kate McKutchin really is.  Here's a little preview: Martin woke early, the dawn barely streaking the sky. Stumbling from the bed he pulled on his jeans and walked to the main room of the cabin. He needed the outhouse. Barefoot he padded across the plank floor, surprised to see Kate sitting at the table. She appeared to be naked but for a green shawl that was wrapped around her shoulders and hung down, covering her breasts. The lamp on the table was lit. The flame small, but the light it cast was more than enough for him to see the wrath in her green eyes. Stopping just before the doorway he paused and scratched his head. “Kate, about last night,” he began before watching her hand rise from beneath the table holding her Colt 45. “Get dressed and get out,” she said. Her words were spoken quietly. They were almost whispered, but he clearly heard the fury she held in check. Gently, lovingly she placed the gun on the table and picked up her cup of coffee, taking a sip. “Kate, I know you are angry, but…” “Get out,” she repeated, this time her words were much more forceful. Her eyes narrowed slightly as her hand moved closer to her gun. “Don’t you think you’re being a little unreasonable?” he asked, planting his hands on his hips and glaring at her. “I won’t ask you again,” she warned. For a moment, her eyes traveled over his naked torso. They almost seemed to be caressing him. Then they turned cold. He could see the tightness around her mouth, the tense line of her jaw. “It was only a little spanking,” Martin growled. “One that you deserved for your ridiculous threat to begin seeing other men when you know you belong to me.” “I belong to no one,” she snapped back. “I chose to let you into my life. I chose to share my body with you. You do not own me, and you never will,” she hissed, her eyes flashing. “Now get out before I do something I’ll regret, and don’t come back unless and until you have an invitation.” “I love you woman,” he bellowed, striding to the table, and planting his hands down on it as he leaned forward. “I want you to be my wife, and you’re the only woman I’ve ever said those word to!” “Then I’m sorry,” she replied. “It was not my intention to fall in love with you, or for you to love me. I thought we were friends. Friends who enjoyed each other’s company, no strings attached.” “So you feel nothing for me?” he asked harshly. “I mean nothing to you?” “I did not say that,” Kate answered with a frustrated sigh. “I said no man will ever ‘own’ me again. No man will tell me what to do. I’m free, for the first time in my life, and I like it. You made plans,” she accused. “You took things for granted. That was your mistake. I’ve always been honest with you.” “You’ve never been honest,” he contradicted angrily. “You appeared out of nowhere, with no rational explanation why a woman with your background would choose to come way out west and live alone, working until your hands are callused and…what do you mean by ‘again?” Kate ignored his question, instinctively knowing she’d let something important slip. “You know nothing about my so-called background,” she said coolly. “I know you’re educated. I know you have social graces that seem to come naturally to you. Despite your insistence that you have no family someone raised you, Kate. Someone with the wherewithal to see that you could fit in with a society a few steps higher up the ladder than what you’ll find here. You’ve refused to tell me anything, anything that mattered.” “Because nothing matters,” she replied. “I have no past, and my only future is living on this land and eking out a living as best I can.” “Then let me help you,” he pleaded. “Let me make a future with you, one that is bright and full of life and love.” Kate snorted and shook her head. “I believe I asked you to get out of my house, Marshal MacPherson,” Kate repeated. “Don’t make me force you to leave.” Martin stormed into the bedroom and threw on the rest of his clothes. Back in the main room he pulled on his boots and stomped his feet into them. All the time Kate watched him, emotionless. Shrugging into his jacket he looked at her and rolled his eyes. “You are a damn obstinate woman,” he growled, snatching his hat from the rack on the wall. “We both know you’d never use that gun against me,” he scoffed. “Just be glad I have things to take care of or I’d teach you a thing or two about what you’ll be able to get away with as my wife, and what you won’t.” Slapping his Stetson onto his head Martin yanked the door open wide. He turned his back, heard the shot, and watched in shock as his hat flew from the top of his head into the yard. Striding after it he picked it up staring at the clean hole right through the high crown. Spinning around he glared at Kate. His hand rested on his belt buckle as he tried to decide if he wanted to whip it off and blister her ass. She stood in the doorway watching him for a moment before calmly closing the door. He heard the heavy bar fall into place. Her intentions were clear. It was to keep him out. His shoulders stiffened as he strode to his horse and mounted in one bound. Some things were better left to another time, he thought as he rode away, but he swore a blue streak all the way into town. ‘No one will ever own me again’. Those words were burned into his consciousness. Who had owned her, and what had they done to his Kate? That was what he wanted to know. That was what he was now determined to find out! I hope you enjoyed this little snippet. You can purchase this book on Amazon, as well as other retailers. Just click the links below. Amazon Universal link for Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Nobel, Angus and Robertson, Vivlio, and Indigo You can find me just about anywhere, lol. The easiest place to start is linktree. I'd love to hear from you.   .So there I was, happily putting my newsletter together when one of my muses, secretly referred to as, Mr. Know-It-All, invaded my head space insisting I write what he wanted me to write. I mean, really! How rude can you be? It's not like I don't have other things to do! Actually, I have a million and one things to do, and the list grows by leaps and bounds every single day, but I digress. "It's nearly Halloween," says he, "and you still haven't worked on that story I gave you nearly a year ago. Now you'll miss this year's market! Don't you ever listen?" "Of course, I listen, but you aren't the only one who talks to me, you know," I reply as my fingers fly across the keyboard. I try to ignore him. Suddenly I'm making tons of mistakes and in frustration I stop typing and smother a growl. "Speak and begone!" "Don't tempt me, you ungrateful little wretch. Who do you think gave you Rory O'Malley? And who refused to keep their mouth shut when you nearly turned poor Delbert into the Prince of Wimps? Who stopped you from doing that and helped you save Bridget from a life of misery with a gutless little wonder she thought she wanted? " "You did, " I admitted begrudgingly. "You bet your sweet ass I did," he snapped. "And if you want my help in the future, you'd better at least start that damn story!" "Okay, okay, I'll start the story, but I won't be able to finish it," I whine pitifully. "It doesn't matter. I know you, and I should for you've driven me insane for the last ten years with your procrastination and dilly-dallying around. If you start it, you'll finish it, eventually," he stated rolling his eyes. I nodded. "And I've been thinking about it," he drawled, looking at his hands and flexing them. "I want you to add her sisters. It's always so much more fun when I have multiple women to play with." "Anything else?" I ask through gritted teeth. "Yes, do it now. Right now while I stand here. For some reason I don't trust you to follow my instructions and if you had any sense at all you would. Believe me, you don't want to piss me off, Stevie. There are others I could be helping." "Why me?" I ask out of genuine curiosity. "Why do you help me?" He was silent for so long, I thought he was not going to answer. Finally he replied, and it shocked me. "Because you care. For you it's not about the money or the numbers or the name. It's about you trying to make people happy. You want to help them escape, as you escape when you're writing. It's freeing for you. It lightens your soul, and my dear, you've been sad for a very long time. And this is why I help you and I'll continue to until you don't need me anymore." And there was not a thing I could say to that. I started writing. The Witch Itch
She sat by the pool sweat trickling between her breasts and trailing from her hairline in minuscule rivulets. The sun had long ago driven the others inside. They argued over lunch and Gwen had no desire to antagonize him further. You’d think after nearly three centuries together she’d have learned his boundaries by now, but apparently not. On her bare legs rested a novel. On the stand beside her was a glass of pink lemonade, the last ice cube now but a sliver. Oh what she wouldn’t give for a little breeze, she thought sighing. Gwen clenched her hands into fists, her polished pink nails creating half-moon crescents in the palms of her hands and looked around. What could it hurt? Just a little breeze would be no trouble at all and no one would be the wiser. Uncurling her fingers she tipped her head back against the chaise lounge and looked up at the blazing sky through her dark sunglasses. Slowly she beckoned the wind, her slender fingers moving in a ‘come to me manner’. A slight smile touched her lips as she felt the first tender breeze, then all hell broke loose. A mighty gust caught her lounge from beneath sending it backward. Gwen tumbled ass over teakettle to the concrete as other empty lounges and cushions flew around her. She heard glass shattering as her drink crashed to the side of her. Blinking rapidly she slipped her glasses to the top of her head where they held back her long dark hair. Crap! How the hell had that happened she wondered as she looked at her bleeding knee and gently touched her elbow? Her fingers came away red. Suddenly she shivered. There was no point in looking up. He’d be there as he always was whenever she was hurt or in danger. “I thought I asked you not to,” he said as he lifted her to her feet and marched her from the shambles she’d created. “Asking is not telling,” she shot back, tugging ineffectually to remove her arm from his firm grasp. Peeking up at him from beneath her lashes she watched his dark eyebrow shoot up in disbelief. “All right, I’m telling you. No more until after you see Benjamin next week.” “My book,” she protested, looking over her shoulder. Instantly it appeared under his arm. "I don't need to see Benjamin, the Witch Doctor," she sneered. "My sisters will help me." He snorted in derision. "That's all we need, those two rebels interfering. Jocelyn and Cristelia have been thorns in my side since I rescued you." All too soon he was opening the door to their suite and spinning her inside as he released her. “I knew this vacation was a bad idea,” he stated angrily. “I don’t see why,” she replied insistently. “It’s been a hundred years, at least since we had one.” “That’s because you can’t behave, you little spawn of Satan,” he tossed back. “Hey, that’s not fair,” she cried. “My mother was a good witch, my father a fallen angel, but that doesn’t make me evil!” “You are correct! It makes you a naughty little witch,” Michael replied. “Now see here…” With an almost absent flick of his huge hand she flew through the air. Instinctively she braced herself for impact. Gwen landed against a wall that was as soft as a feather pillow in a spread eagle position. She was stuck as surely as if he’d glued her in place. “Michael,” she whined nervously. “Be still,” he ordered leaving her there as he went into the bathroom and returned with a damp cloth. Carefully he washed away the traces of blood from her knee. Pulling her arm down he bent it and cleaned her elbow as well. Then he kissed each wound. They healed as she looked into his eyes. “Thank you,” she breathed as he gently stuck her arm back against the wall. “Your words are premature,” he said coolly. Gwendolyn gasped when he snapped his fingers and her white string bikini fell away. “Why did you do it?” he asked curiously as he stood back and looked at her naked body “I was hot. I just wanted a little breeze,” she admitted shamefully. Michael pursed his lips and gently blew cool air that swept from her hair to her toes but seemed to be slightly more concentrated on her breasts and the juncture of her thighs. Her nipples pebbled into hard little nubs. Gwen sighed in pleasure. He stepped back and smiled. Then his eyes narrowed. She didn’t trust that particular smile, not for a moment. It wasn’t in any way a display of genuine amusement. “I don’t like it when you disobey me,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “I didn’t realize it was an order,” she snapped back trying not to glare at him. Her eyes swept the room looking for something suitable to hurl at him. Her fingers began to wiggle. Michael laughed. “My love, you’ve gotten very predictable,” he drawled taking her hands and trapping them between the small of her back and the wall. “I think I like this position better anyway,” he continued, blowing an icy blast toward the puckered peaks of her full breasts now arched toward him. A low moan escaped her throat and she scowled. Damn him for being so handsome. He hadn’t aged a bit since the day she met him. He was still huge, towering over her. His black hair was as shiny as a raven’s wing, not a touch of silver anywhere and his stern gray eyes still had the power to render her tongue-tied. What had changed was that he’d learned all her secrets, well, nearly all of them. He was also a much better lover than the man he’d been back when he was always in a hurry. Now Michael was slow and methodical, at least until his own passion overtook him. He could tease and torment her for hours if he so desired. Despite his still youthful appearance he was a mature man fully dedicated to making sure she was well protected and cared for. “Michael let me down. I’m cold now,” she insisted making no effort to conceal her annoyance. “I’m about to remedy that,” he replied smoothly. Gwen stared into his eyes, noting his satisfied expression at the same instant she began to feel the heat begin on her bottom. “Cutting corners are we?” she sassed. “Yes, I thought we’d cut right to the chase,” he replied calmly as he watched her start to wiggle. “Oh, oh, oh,” she moaned. “This is unacceptable. If you’re going to spank me, the least you could do is touch me.” “But my darling, I am touching you. In my mind you’re over my knees and my hand is instructing you to listen when I speak to you,” he said with an evil grin. “Besides, this is so much more convenient. You’re not scratching and clawing to get away and I don’t have to listen to you caterwauling as though the hounds of hell were after you.” “Yet,” she hissed. “Yes, yet,” he agreed stepping closer and fastening his lips on hers. Gwen screamed into his mouth feeling each searing swat even though his hands were gently cupping her face. His thumbs brushed away her tears yet he continued to chastise her, his powerful mind orchestrating the severity of each smack. It was not until her cries had turned to whimpers that he released her lips and stroked her hair back from her forehead. “I asked you not to use your powers until we’ve consulted Benjamin for advice,” he reiterated. “I hope I don’t have to remind you again.” “You won’t,” Gwen sobbed, shivering as his hand trailed along her cheek. A moment later he cupped her naked breast, teasing her nipple. Soon he was stroking her tummy before he finally settled between her spread thighs. “Ah,” he breathed in satisfaction. “Even a virtual spanking excites you. This is good to know,” he crooned as he buried his long finger inside her. Gwen let her head drop in defeat. “Do not be embarrassed my darling Gwendolyn. I am hard as well. Although this method lacks a certain intimacy it’s certainly much quieter. I’ll reserve the use of this for those times when we are not alone.” His hand was busy. Now two fingers were sliding in and out of her, his thumb rubbing gently across her nub. She bit her lip. “You may come, naughty little witch,” he offered. “You’ve paid the piper and I won’t deprive you of your pleasure…this time. Come my darling, come hard. I want to feel your body clutching my fingers. I want to feel your swollen nubbin quivering against my hand,” he whispered. Leaning forward he drew her nipple into his mouth, sucking hard. Gwen cried out and he placed his other hand over her mouth. “Shh, we don’t need security in here,” he warned as he released her nipple with a pop. “Remember what happened the last time we stayed in a hotel?” Gwen nodded. “Good, now heed my words and take your release before I change my mind,” he growled before moving toward her other nipple. “I’m going to ride you soon. I’ll be taking every inch of your sweet slit and you know it’s often uncomfortable when I don’t hold back. And Gwen, I’ve no intention of holding back. I’m going to fuck you deep and hard,” he stated looking into her wide eyes. “You’ll cry a bit, you always do, but you know that after I’ve punished you, my need is great. Even after all these years I still do not understand why you misbehave so when you know the price you pay will be twofold,” he remarked before nuzzling her neck. She moaned against the hand covering her mouth when he pushed his fingers deep and fluttered them. “How wet and warm you are my naughty darling. Hurry now before my patience runs out,” he breathed against her skin. She knew Michael was as good as his word. Most times he was a gentle, tender lover, stifling his passion and taking possession of her delicate body slowly. Often she could not accommodate his full length and girth easily and he carefully eased most of his cock inside her body as he stimulated her nub with his fingers. It was his practice to stretch her and he had special oils he used to pave the way. But not after a punishment. Never after a punishment. Then he was strict and determined. She belonged to him. She was his wife. He’d saved her life nearly three hundred years ago and she would obey him for the rest of hers. He might not be able to control all of her actions, but he would control her body and he would take his pleasure from that body as he chose. To Be Continued…  I'm pleased to share Brandy Golden's new release today. I have it on good authority that you don't want to miss this one! Kellina has known the deep anguish of losing her soulmate. However, her vow to never love again is shaken to the core when she meets Forbes MacColloch, an intensely attractive and compelling man despite his scars. Desire she thought long dead rises from the ashes of the past and begins to flicker into flame once more. Bitter, disillusioned and forsaken by his fiancé, Forbes MacColloch has no intention of ever getting involved with another woman until Kellina Duncan slips into the crack of his wounded soul. He’ll never love another woman, but perhaps he can have her over his knee and in his bed without a lasting commitment. Excerpt Feeling frustrated, Kellina suddenly grabbed the liquor bottle and threw it off the cliff. "Hey—that's mine, ye brat!" She faced him, her hands on her hips and her eyes turning dark as she scowled down at him. "I'm nae a brat, it's ye who are the brat," she snapped. "I dinna know anything about yere surgery, Corny never mentioned it. It's none of my business if ye want to lounge on the cliffside feeling sorry for yereself instead of doing something about it." He reached up and grabbed her hands, pulling her forward until she was bent down where he could put one large hand behind her head and draw her mouth to his. Kellina didn’t fight him. She found she wanted to taste him, and he tasted good, like salt air and dominant male. Her head spinning, she didn’t object when he lifted her and sat her in his lap, his mouth swooping down to claim hers again. The punishing kisses soon turned gentle as he explored her mouth, one arm behind her back and the other slipping under her sweatshirt to find the pebbly surface of a nipple beneath silky material. She moaned and arched into it, losing herself in the spicy scent of him and the drugging pleasure of his kiss. Her hand lifted to comb through his hair as she’d wanted to do the first time they’d met, feeling the texture against her sensitive fingertips. When his exploring mouth left her lips, she gasped as it nibbled against the silky skin of her neck. "Poe—ye have to stop." Their eyes locked with each other, both panting slightly. "I owe ye a spanking, but now is not the time nor the place," he growled, his black eyes pinning her in a hot glare. "Ye didna need the scotch," she retorted defiantly, struggling to get free of him. "It wasna yeres to throw away." He held her easily in spite of her struggles, which only made her angry. "Let me go," she hissed. "I can't believe ye pulled me into your lap when ye've been in such pain." "Ye took all the knots out so I'm not in pain right now," he returned, mocking her efforts to get free by holding both her wrists in one large hand. "Me todger salutes ye, as I'm sure ye can tell." She could certainly feel his manhood against her hip, and she trembled with the sudden need to feel him inside her. What was it about this infuriating man that made her hungry with desire when no one else had even turned her pot lukewarm in the last three years? "I'm not above biting if ye dinna let go of me," she threatened. "Ye bite me, lass, and I'll turn ye over and blister yere arse, and I dinna care who's watching." Follow me on my Brandy Golden LinkTree and get a free book on my newsletter signup! Pre-order link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L8G5QZH?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420  "In her latest book Tempted, Brandi Evans takes the age-old battle between the pleasure of the flesh and the soul to erotic heights." ~The Pen & Muse Reviews She tempts me… From the moment Lyndi Garrison enters my life—all temper and foul language—I wanted her. She’s unlike any creature I have ever met, but to claim her could cost me everything. I am a fallen angel, but I am not a demon. One day, I will return to Heaven, but not if I intervene in the life of a mortal without Divine order. But I can’t help myself. I must have her. I need her. Never in my immortal life have I been so Tempted…  Book 1 of the Redemption Harbor Quartet is a paranormal, erotic romance.
“Hot, passionate, all consuming heat radiates from Tempted...I enjoyed this quick, fast paced read." ~You Gotta Read Reviews Excerpt: Seth didn’t know which was worse. Spending eternity in hell or working his way out of damnation by becoming a murderer. Okay, in his defense, he technically wasn’t a murderer, at least not in the terms mortals used. He had, however, been responsible for the termination of more lives than he could count—all in the name of finding redemption. And no, the irony wasn’t lost on him, but at the moment, he didn’t have time to contemplate his penance. He was on the clock. Franklin Michaels jogged around the bend. Each footfall brought him closer and closer to Seth. To death. With the dropping temperatures, the coastal park in Redemption Harbor, Maine, was all but deserted. Seth was grateful for the privacy. Not because he feared his target might see him—the job was easier if Seth didn’t think of his victims by name—but because this termination necessitated solitude. The target had to die alone. No exceptions. Why? Because his bosses, the Angels of Death, deemed it so. And Seth’s job wasn’t to question but to do. To fulfill his obligations without emotion and with as little deviation from the plan’s parameters as possible. Simple. Ha! There was nothing fucking simple about carrying out a person’s death, even a scumbag like this one. For reasons Seth didn’t understand, this asshole hadn’t been slated for termination two years ago when he’d had his first heart attack—with the coronary Seth would cause tonight being the second. No, fate had allowed him an additional two years of blessed breath. Time to see his daughter get married, to see his son welcome his own child into the world. To rape four more women. He’d beaten one woman with such animalistic rage that she’d later succumbed to her injuries. Another had died by her own hand when she could no longer withstand the black void Michaels had punched into her soul. Seth hovered toward the target. A lone spiritual “touch” was all it would take to send this bastard into a lethal episode of cardiac arrest and straight to hell where he belonged. Seth reached out and-- “Son of a bitch! I’m gonna set a blowtorch to your ass and turn you into a goddamn sculpture!” Seth pulled back. Curiosity had him turning toward the furious, yet sultry, female voice, a strikingly odd combination. Just off the main road near the park entrance, a woman stood with her back to him as she kicked the shit out of a hybrid car’s tire. White smoke billowed from the vehicle’s engine. Caught in the soft glow of the streetlight above, she ran her fingers through long chestnut hair that had just a hint of auburn undertones, as if she’d spent much of the previous summer camped out on one of the nearby beaches. No pants protruded from the hem of her dark, calf-length jacket. The skin of those toned legs set off a creamy contrast to her coat—so okay, maybe no long hours spent on the beach. Wild thoughts flashed through his mind as he wondered what she wore beneath that jacket. A dress? A skirt? Would the material cling to her body like a second skin? Or maybe she wore nothing at all? Concentrate, he scolded. You’re here on a job. Seth turned to his mark, but the mark was gone. Damn it. Seth opened his mind, searching out and instantly finding the target. Up the walk, he’d folded himself into the shadows, his dark arousal filling Seth’s being like onions wrapped in ripe gym socks. Beautiful-Potty-Mouth was exactly this animal’s type. A pretty little brunette who was all alone. The Guardian in Seth would be damned if he’d let the fiend hurt her. Not on his watch. Yet even as the noble notion entered his mind, so did the warning against intervention. Death Code and Angelic Code both forbade interference in the affairs of mortals, except by Divine Order. Seth had one purpose here tonight. To make sure his target died in the manner his bosses foresaw. No more. No less. To disregard the Code was to risk all hope of ever returning home. To assure his banishment would, indeed, be for eternity. Still, he moved toward his target. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what the other man was doing: stalking. Dark anger welled inside Seth. How was he supposed to sit back while this creep raped and possibly killed an innocent? If Seth killed the target now, before he made his move-- Beautiful-Potty-Mouth turned from the car—toward Seth— and something happened that he hadn’t experienced since he’d lost his wings. His soul stirred. Wow, just wow is all I can say. I don't know about you, but I'm grabbing this one! Here's some info about this fabulous author. Don't miss out. This book will be on sale for $0.99 starting on Tuesday 9/15/2020 for 5 days only! Click the cover shot and if I've done it right, it should take you directly to Amazon. If not, use this link: Buy the book. Author Bio: Brandi Evans was raised by a caravan of traveling Gypsies. She spent her days learning the ways of her people and her nights lost in legends as old as time. Okay, not really, but that's way more interesting than the truth! In reality, Brandi grew up the oldest child of an ordinary family. Grade school, middle school, high school. Nothing extraordinary happened until she left the nest. She joined the military, went to college, got married, and became a mom. And somewhere along the way, she discovered she liked to read—and write!—stories hot enough to melt eReaders. Ain't that the truth! Author web links: Website: www.brandievansauthor.com/index.html Instagram: http://instagram.com/brandievansauthor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brandi-Evans/674481219297772?ref_type=bookmark Facebook Group for my Readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/600699890836219/?ref=share BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brandi-evans GoodReads: http://bit.ly/eScaNr Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/brandievans1/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/brandi_evans Tumblr: http://brandievansauthor.tumblr.com/ SMOKIN' HOT PREORDER ALERT If you love cowboys and worthwhile causes, this charity set is for you. Cowboys for a Cause, a western anthology benefiting COVID-19 relief is coming June 8th! PREORDER TODAY: Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Zp443j Universal: https://books2read.com/cowboys4acause  I'm thrilled to be included in this anthology. So many of us are struggling right now and wishing there were some way we could help. When this opportunity came my way, I jumped on it. Here was my chance to donate something I created to help others. I've watched the long lines of people waiting to pick up food for their families on the news. Yes, I could contribute in a small way, but this, this is much bigger. No individual is making a dime on this. Every dollar raised will go to help others and I'm praying we raise enough to really make a difference. So, if you're like me, wishing you could afford to help out, this is your chance. For a few dollars you'll get a great collection of stories from some of your favorite authors, and be making a donation at the same time. It's a win-win! Not every author who is participating is listed on Amazon yet. There are about 25 of us and we'll all be listed before the book goes live. In the meantime, pre-order your copy today. This book will only be available for a limited time and I can't imagine you'll be disappointed once you see the entire list of authors. Come Sundown  Come Sundown, is my contribution to this anthology. It's a sweet, sexy, historical western and eventually, when it grows up and the anthology is no longer available, this story will become a full length novel. If reader feedback is positive, it will most likely be book one of a trilogy . At least that's the plan for now. If you read my books, you'll know that I rarely write one novel. The supporting characters are always clamoring for their own story and I'm happy to oblige. Here's a sneak peek! Carrie Ann Meadows is passionate...about dime novels. Not only does she devour every one she can get her hands on, but she wants to write one. Yes, she knows she should be thinking about getting married. Women are expected to wed once they reach a certain age, especially in her area of the country. Yes, she's pursued by nearly every eligible young man in town, but no one seems to measure up to the dashing, romantic, yet fictional heroes she adores. Micah MacPherson has had his eye on Miss Meadows for quite a while. She's smart and pretty and the rancher sees her as the perfect choice for a bride. Well, she would be perfect if she got her nose out of her books once in a while. And if she wasn't quite so picky and opinionated regarding the sort of man she would consider husband material. Sometimes he feels as though he's beating his head against a stone wall, but he's nothing if not determined. Excerpt: Micah stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. Suddenly it was quite clear to him this young woman was never going to marry him. In fact, she challenged him at every turn, almost daring him to do something about it. Many times he’d tempered his response to her sarcasm, hoping against hope she would see they were well suited and his affection for her was genuine. Now it was abundantly apparent she would have no part of him or his plans for their future. Sadly, he almost pitied the man she did marry, for he would have a lifetime of defiance and stubbornness to deal with, all the while looking at a woman who was breathtakingly lovely. It would be a catastrophe. Carrie Ann looked up at him and he realized he had a decision to make. A marriage was out of the question, but teaching her a lesson was not. Taking a firm hold of her arm he swiftly changed direction, leading her back to the river. “What are you doing?” she asked as she balked. “I feel as though you’ve thrown the glove of challenge,” he stated calmly. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she hissed. “I’m merely stating my mind.” “And I am going to do the same,” he informed her. “You don’t think it’s possible for a man to help his woman see reason. I’m going to prove to you that it is. And you are wrong on another point. There is more than one way help a woman see reason,” Miss Carrie. “I’m only going to show you my preference.” Reaching the river, Micah chose a large rock and sat. With very little resistance, he pulled her over his knees. Ignoring all sense of propriety he pulled up her dress, petticoats and all, exposing her split drawers. Even those held no sway with him and he swiftly separated the closure, baring her bottom. Her creamy white, softly curved skin might be tempting as hell on another occasion, but not today. Today he had only one purpose in mind, and that was to redden the pretty hind end over his lap. In all probability it would not change a thing about the thoughtless actions of the young lady he was about to spank, but he would find it gratifying just the same. So, back to Cowboys for a Cause Seriously, you can't miss with this one.
If you climb in the saddle, be ready to ride... Over twenty-five of your favorite bestselling and award-winning authors have rustled up some sizzling, Grade-A, top quality cowboys for you to enjoy in this epic western romance anthology. From heavy-handed herdsmen, bronco-bustin’ bad boys, and every kind of wild, wanton wrangler in between, the heroes of this steamy collection won’t be denied, and they’re guaranteed to leave you breathless. Save a horse and…well...you know the rest. But don’t delay because Cowboys for a Cause is only available for a limited time. Rope your copy today! The proceeds from Cowboys for a Cause will be donated in their entirety to Direct Relief Coronavirus Response and the Feeding America COVID-19 Response Fund. But please note that Cowboys for a Cause is not affiliated with or endorsed by either charity. To learn more about the charities or make an individual donation please visit: Direct Relief: https://bit.ly/2Zqm79e Feeding America: https://bit.ly/36n7 Thanks for stopping by today. Hope life is treating you well and that your heart is open to those less fortunate. Hugs, Stevie Will she be taken to task or get away with acting like the spoiled brat she is? Candace McKenzie did everything she could think of to sabotage her brother Chas’ wedding to Babe, a little nobody who came from nowhere. If it was going to embarrass Babe, Candy was all in. Unfortunately, despite her efforts, the marriage went on as planned. Now, certain people think Candy should pay the price for her actions. Mark Schaller grew up with Chas and remembers Candy as his little tag along sister. He has also watched her grow up into a beautiful woman with an entitled attitude. When he takes her home after Chas’ wedding, sparks fly. He couldn’t be more surprised when he decides to take her in hand, Candy’s life will change forever. This is book three in the Sassy Girls series but can be enjoyed independently. Publisher’s Note: This contemporary romance features humor, sensual scenes and power exchange. If these offend you, please do not purchase.  Excerpt:
“Now there’s something you don’t see every day,” Mark Schaller remarked as he walked up the sidewalk toward the reception hall. “It has legs, well feet, but there doesn’t appear to be a head.” “Kind of looks like a giant floating marshmallow,” Jeb, one of his best buddies agreed with a smirk. “Wonder who’s under there.” “Shut the hell up and help me,” the marshmallow demanded as she tripped on a small crack. “I can’t even see where I’m going,” she hissed loudly as she recovered her balance. “Gee, I don’t know,” Mark drawled, pausing and rubbing his chin. “It sounds a lot like Candace, and if it is this is no more than she deserves. After all, from what I’ve been told she’s the one who picked out that white monstrosity. What do you think, Jeb? Do we help her?” “Well, Chas is our friend and it wouldn’t do to let his little sister smother, and that could happen if she falls,” he pointed out thoughtfully, “especially on his wedding day. It would sort of ruin the whole occasion, don’t you think?” “Are you two imbeciles going to help me or stand around running your mouths?” Candace demanded in a frustrated and heavily muffled voice. One visible foot stomped. “I guess we’d better,” Mark finally said with a sigh. “Not that she deserves it,” Jeb added, reaching out to pluck the heavy bridal gown out of Candace’s arms. “Imagine putting a little thing like Babe in a dress that weighs more than she does. It was spiteful of you, Candy and just plain mean!” “Yes, it was,” Mark agreed as he gathered up the dragging fabric and followed Jeb. “Does your brother realize what you’ve done?” he asked over his shoulder as they moved toward Candace’s blue Mercedes. Candy remained quiet and popped the trunk open on her vehicle. “I can see that he doesn’t, but he soon will,” Mark promised as he and Jeb stuffed the dress into the back end of the car. “You’ve been a class A brat about the wedding, and what’s worse you acted like you were oh so helpful and supportive. What’s your problem with Babe anyway?” he asked sternly as he straightened up and closed the trunk lid. “I don’t have a problem with her,” Candy snapped back. “You’re lying. For some reason, you don’t like her, either that or you’re jealous that you’re not the apple of your brother’s eye anymore, Babe is,” he suggested smoothly. “That’s not true,” she insisted. “Chas loves me, he always has, and he’d do anything I asked,” she continued, her face flaming. “Except maybe walk away from the women he loves,” Mark pointed out. “By the way, what’s Babe wearing now that she’s shed of this thing?” he asked giving a short, disgusted wave toward her car as they headed back to the reception hall at a brisk pace. “Marla bought her a dress,” Candy sneered. “All the way from Paris,” she continued in a sing-song voice, “and made by a famous designer she patronizes. Her Majesty outdid herself this time, most likely trying to one-up me again.” “It’s not hard to do,” Jeb inserted. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Candy demanded. Stopping to turn on him, she planted her hands on her hips. “Well, you’ve done a dozen little things to sabotage this wedding, all quietly of course and behind the scenes. Marla was on to you from the first, she’s good at spotting that sort of thing; it’s right up her alley,” he said with a chuckle. “Thankfully, she did everything she could to minimize the damage. In fact, I think you’ll be quite surprised by the subtle changes she’s made to your reception plans.” “How do you know all this?” she asked with a red-faced gasp. “Crunch is pretty proud of her; he likes to brag,” Mark replied with a grin, referring to Pete Benedict another good friend and a local deputy sheriff. “Marla’s a snake and always has been,” Candy hissed. “So one viper recognizes another?” Jeb asked coldly. Candace didn’t answer. She swiveled on her heels and rushed toward the hall. Mark and Jeb followed slowly. “Do you think we said too much?” Jeb asked. “No, she had it coming and more. That little brat needs someone to rein her in. Chas has babied her since the day she was born and if he’s not careful she’ll be a constant interference in his marriage. I hope her antics today wake him up.” “You’re not interested in her, are you?” Jeb asked curiously. Mark snorted. “Are you kidding? Whoever takes her on will most likely live to regret it. Oh, she’s pretty enough, but she comes with too much drama and she’s spoiled rotten. Besides, I wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize my friendship with Chas.” “What could you possibly do that would affect your friendship?” “I imagine if I gave that meddlesome little brat the spanking she deserves, Chas wouldn’t take it too kindly.” “Why not? He spanks Babe when she needs it,” Jeb replied in surprise. “Sisters and wives are two different breeds. While Chas has no problem taking Babe to task when necessary. He might not feel the same way about someone taking his sister in hand no matter how badly she deserves it. After all, to my knowledge, he’s never taken her over his knee even when she got into that huge mess in college and ended up getting expelled. It cost him a small fortune to keep her name out of the paper. “No, I’m steering clear of that particular female. I’ve sort of got my eye on Josie from the diner,” he admitted. “She’s sweet.” “And comes with a ready-made family,” Jeb pointed out. “Not to mention there’s an ex-husband floating around and she appears to be afraid of him. Are you sure you want to step into the middle of that mess?” “No, I’m not sure, just keeping my options open. Come on, let’s go and toast Chas and his new bride,” Mark said opening the heavy glass door. “Sounds good to me. Jeanine had to work so I’m on my own today. I plan to have one hell of a good time. I even got my beard trimmed for the occasion,” Jeb said with a wicked grin as he tugged on his full red beard. “Lead on McDuff.” Candy's Comeuppance is now available on Amazon.  This is the 'tentative' cover to my new book in the Sassy Girls Series, Candy's Comeuppance. It's due to be released around the end of the month if everything goes as planned.
Candy McKenzie is a bit of a screw-up. She plots, she plans, she finagles, wanting things to turn out as she envisions, and sometimes it actually works. Not this time. This time she has really crossed the line, doing everything she could think of to break up the relationship between her beloved brother Chas, and the little nobody who appeared in the middle of a snow storm and stole his heart. Now, it's too late. Chas is marrying her and there's not a damn thing Candy can do about it, other than undermine the wedding plans at every turn, which she does with dogged determination. Unfortunately, she fails once again and the wedding goes off with a few glitches, much to her frustration. As usually, Candy is blind to the consequences of her antics. The town is not. Her parents are furious, but that's something she feels she can handle. After all, she's managed to escape repercussions most of her life, so why should this be any different. In her opinion a little sucking up goes a long way and she fully expects to be back in everyone's good graces soon. Life has other plans in store for the unrepentant young woman. Mark Schaller, her brother's best buddy has had his fill of the youngest McKenzie and decides to do something about her behavior. Suddenly he is presented with the perfect opportunity to take action. Chas and Babe are on a honeymoon cruise. Candy's parents have all but booted her from the house and Candy's friends appear to have deserted her. Is this the moment he's been waiting for? Can a little home-town justice reform the pretty young woman, turning her from a spoiled brat into a responsible and productive member of society? Only time will tell and if he fails he may lose the best friend he's ever had. Is she worth it? Links will be posted when they become available. Thanks for stopping by. You can also follow me on the following sites. Have a great day! Amazon Author Page Goodreads AllAuthor  This has been sitting on my desk for quite a while. I bought it when I went to the Sweet Virginia Breeze Conference in Virginia back in 2018. Since then it's been written on many times. The kids have entered my office, wiped off the pink chalk and written 'Awesome'. Mike has done the same writing 'Beautiful', and I've used it myself for motivation scrawling 'Get Writing' or 'Get Busy'. For the past couple of months it's been sitting here, reminding me that I don't exactly know what 'I am'. I know I am an author. I've had more than 30 books published. I get paid for my work. People who buy my books, like my books, generally that is. Occasionally, I get a negative review, but that goes with the territory and I've long since gotten over being offended. I know I'm getting older, fast. I have neither the energy nor the drive to get out there everyday and promote my work on social media. Maybe that's a mistake; I feel like it is and frequently experience guilt that I'm not on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook enough. I've gotten lackadaisical about doing blog posts as well. I used to really enjoy posting, felt I had something to say if you know what I mean. Now I can't seem to work up much enthusiasm. I understand it's a circle. The more you post, the more people read your blog, the more you post. Unfortunately, the more I do these thing, the less time I have to write and that's really what I want to do, in theory. Emotionally, I'm on a seesaw. I'm a bride, a fairly new one and my husband is loving, affectionate and supportive, yet sometimes I still feel like a widow. This is not something I ever expected. Not that I thought all the grief would disappear the instant I said, I do, but I guess I thought...well, I don't know what the hell I thought. Don't get me wrong. I'd marry him again tomorrow and I don't have regrets about that, but still it's a bit like living in two worlds, the old and the new. I'm trying to find my footing, my way. I gave my office a make over, thinking that would help me stay motivated and truly I love it, but still the writing comes hard. Currently I have a number of books in the works, a third book in The Sassy Girls series, a western, and another contemporary romance. I bounce from one to the other when I get stuck, but it's still slow going. I'm just so disappointed in myself lately. The weather here in Upstate New York doesn't help. I think everyone who lives here has low Vitamin D, I know I sure do. That sort of drags you down and saps your energy too. So I sit here wondering...am I talented or just lucky? Have I achieved a amount moderate success with my books because I'm good at what I do, or simply because I refused to stop writing no matter what? Are things off kilter because I have no more stories in my head or because I have too many? I've also gotten very forgetful. I mean I still know my phone number and where I live, which is a big plus, but I forget lots of stuff. For a while I was convinced it was Widow's Brain, which is a real thing by the way, but now I'm beginning to wonder. Is it overload? Mental fatigue? Oh how I wish I'd started doing spread sheets for each book! Trying to remember characters, their physical features and personality traits from more than 30 novels is a challenge, so if you're new to this field take my advice and do that. Don't assume you'll always remember every detail of every novel because you won't. I've even had to call one of my biggest fans and say, "Hey Maureen, what was the last name of that character in the book about..." Thankfully, she's sharp as a tack about that stuff and always remembers, lol. So, I'm still sitting her looking at my little sign and I guess I will be until something happens that makes it very clear what should be written on it. I will keep on keeping on and hope for the best in 2020 and I hope you all will too.  I love you guys and am so very thankful for the friends I've made on this journey and the wonderful authors and readers who are so supportive. Have a great new year.
Hugs, Stevie  Marla Majestic, known as Marla Majesty and often Her Majesty to those who barely managed to tolerate her, is not happy. The man she’s dated off and on since high school, the man she fully expected to marry one day is engaged to someone else. For the first time in her life, neither her money nor social standing is of any use to her. Chas Mackenzie is in love, and it’s not with Marla. Furious, she intends to put a stop to it, in any way possible. Until Chas’ best friend, Pete (Crunch) Benedict gets in the way.
Pete has known Marla forever. In fact, she was his high school crush. When he gets wind of her plans to thwart Chas’ wedding plans, he does the only thing he can, he takes Marla in hand. Marla doesn’t know it, but Pete has no intention of ever letting her go. This is a sequel to Just Her Luck, but reads as a standalone. Excerpt: He asked about her childhood, bracing for the bragging. It had been the thing that irritated him the most back in the day. Raised in privilege she’d always expected the world to fall in with her plans and it usually did from what he could tell. In his mind that was the most reasonable explanation for her intense determination to win Chas Mackenzie back, he was the one thing she couldn’t buy or bully her way into acquiring. Because of that, he was genuinely surprised when she described a lonely and somewhat isolated youth. Despite being in nearly every picture in the yearbook, cheerleading, the debate club, student council, orchestra, French club, and many more, she’d had few friends. Pete figured the ones she did have were likely afraid of ‘not’ being her friend. Marla was a mini-terrorist. You had to be invited into her inner circle, but talking to her now he realized none of those friendships had extended past high-school when the other girls all managed to escape the confines of her exclusive network. It was clear she knew. When he asked about girls she’d hung out with, Patty, Allison, Jennifer, Marcella and Jeanie, Marla looked away. “I have no idea where any of them are. We haven’t kept in touch,” she admitted a bit sharply. “I moved on.” “Do you have any friends from college you still see?” he asked. “A couple,” she hedged. “Why the grilling?” “Just curious,” Pete replied. “Let me make things easier for you,” she drawled sarcastically. “I don’t have any close friends. My relationship with my father is… challenging. Of course, my mother is dead, you knew that, but we were never particularly close. Both of my parents preferred the company of my brother, Jasper. When he was murdered, they were sort of stuck with me. “I’m the only heir to a pretty extensive fortune. I’ve had several affairs but none worth the effort of nurturing and the only man I was ever in love with is Chas. Unfortunately, it seems he is in love with someone else, at least at the moment.” Pete watched her closely. Her eyes shone, he wasn’t sure if it was tears or anger. For a few minutes, her cheeks looked heated before fading dramatically and now she looked quite pale. “What are you going to do when your plan doesn’t work?” he asked quietly. “What are you going to do when Chas marries Babe?” Marla snorted. “Boy, you don’t have much faith in my abilities,” she stated. Her voice quavered and she turned toward the tiny jukebox and held out her palm for another quarter. Pete gave it to her. “You’re wrong,” he informed her. “You’re very adept at getting what you want. The problem, as I see it, is that sometimes what we want isn’t good for us.” “Chas is good for me,” she insisted smoothly. “You’ll see. Once I get him back, you’ll see.” Pete shook his head almost sadly. “You’re dreaming, honey. Chas isn’t going to break it off with Babe. He loves her and she’s perfect for him.” “In what way?” Marla demanded, turning her head and glaring at him. “What does she have that I don’t?” He almost didn’t answer. For some reason, he was loath to hurt her. Her hair seemed alive with fire in the muted light of the booth. Her eyes flashed with anger and her chin was tilted up in challenge. But she was beautiful. He’d always thought so. Of course, she was out of his reach even now, even after all these years. What she was offering was temporary, a tiny taste of something he’d only dreamed about. It wouldn’t last long, a few months at best but it was better than nothing. She thought he was playing her game. In reality, she was playing his. Still, he didn’t want to hurt her. It seemed nothing was as he’d imagined. Her life was no bed of roses and never had been. It made her hard around the edges, brittle, and intolerant. He began gently to talk about Babe. “She’s kind-hearted. She has a gentle soul and a somewhat submissive nature. Babe listens to him and values his opinion. She doesn’t challenge his judgment at every turn,” he continued with a slight grin, “but when she does, she usually comes around to his way of thinking. They are well-matched.” “So she’s a wimp?” Marla scoffed. “A weak-willed, yes sir, no sir, kind of girl who hangs on every word he says.” “No, it’s not like that. “That’s what it sounds like.” Thanks for stopping by. Her Majesty's Downfall will be available on Amazon and Blushing Books on September 6th, 2019. |
Archives
September 2020
|
RSS Feed