Writing Challenges

I finished my 70,000 words for the 70 Days of Sweat Challenge. Yay! Now I’m working on the Cata University Challenge - I believe it was a novella in a month.

Well, I’m off to a good start. I’m actually working on a sequel to “Perfect” in the same “Gone Country” vein. This one is about a woman going to the wilds of South Dakota to meet the grandfather she never knew. Of course, there’s a really sexy cowboy on the old man’s ranch for her to get mixed up with.

More news as it becomes available…

New Release! It’s “Perfect”!

Gone Country: Perfect officially releases TODAY from Tease Publishing. Tease sells primarily through AllRomanceeBooks.com and other online ebook sellers like Fictionwise, etc. Tease is a very new publisher but I think they’re destined for great things! My thanks to Stella Price for an excellent cover and all kinds of support behind the scenes and the rest of the folks at Tease. Here’s to many more “Gone Country” stories in the future!

Buy Perfect now from ARe for only $1.99

Excerpt: Perfect

And now an excerpt from Perfect, my first contemporary novella with Tease Publishing…

“So, what do you think?” she asked when Rich reached for a second pastry.

“Fantastic, Cassandra, as always.” He bit off a large chunk and smiled.

“Come on, you know by now, I need specifics.” She rolled her eyes as they all grinned.

Cody stepped closer and took another pastry, though he didn’t eat it right away. Instead, he held her gaze as he licked his lips, and her blood seemed to catch fire.

“I like the mixture of fruit. Apple and pear, right? With maybe a hint of citrus? Was it lemon?” His smile sent strange signals to the muscles in her womb, though his words were innocuous.

“Lime, actually.” Was that her voice? She sounded hoarse all of a sudden. Cassandra cleared her throat, trying to project calm as the men looked at her strangely.

Rich took the platter from her hands. “Come on, boys. We still have work to do.”

The hands followed the platter back into the barn, right behind Rich. She barely noticed their departure as Cody stayed behind, watching her. He took a slow, sensuous bite out of the pastry in his hand, holding her gaze all the while. Cassandra’s mouth went dry. He even chewed and swallowed sexily. The man was far too potent and altogether hot.

“The pastry is perfect, Miz Cassandra, as usual. Light, flaky and sweet. Tastes good with the filling, but there’s something missing, I think.” Her brows drew together at those words, bringing her attention back to her work. “Here, try it.” He held out the pastry to her, holding it as if he expected her to eat from his hand. She hesitated and he grinned. “I promise, I don’t have any communicable diseases. And besides, this is the only one left. You need to taste it to see what I mean.”

Raising one brow skeptically, she leaned in and took a small bite of his pastry, jarred by the intimacy of the act. She’d never been this close to Cody, though she’d dreamed of being close to him many a night in her lonely bed.

Flavor exploded on her tongue. She tasted the pastry, the sugar, the tart apple and pear with the hint of lime. It was good. But Cody was right. Something was missing.

“Darn it, you’re right.” She looked up at him. “What do you think it is?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Strawberry? Just a touch, maybe. You’re the chef.”

“Strawberry.” A grin spread over her face. “I’m going to try that. Thanks, Cody.”

He nodded as the silence stretched. Tension rose between them as he seemed to study her in detail.

“You have powdered sugar on your face,” he said. She licked her lips, brought up short when Cody moved even closer. “No, let me.” He bent, shocking her into immobility as his tongue brushed over her cheek near the corner of her lips. When she didn’t move, he grew bolder, running his tongue over the seam of her lips with heart-stopping slowness until she yielded, opening her mouth to him.

ORDER NOW FROM ARe

Perfect - Now Up for Pre-Order!

My first contemporary novella from Tease Publishing is now available for pre-order at AllRomanceeBooks.com. I intend it to be the beginning of a new series of contemporary stories based on the concept of a person (either hero or heroine) who’s given up city life and “Gone Country.” (The way I often wish I could do myself.)

Here’s a little bit about the story… (Also stay tuned for an excerpt later this week.)

A city girl meets a country boy. She’s “gone country” and he’s just the man to teach her to ride…

A city girl, successful business woman and former bakery owner, Cassandra, has sold out and moved West to her own slice of heaven — a working ranch, complete with cowboys. She doesn’t know much about ranch life, but she’s a willing student, especially when the new ranch hand catches her eye.

Cody compliments her cooking and charms his way into her life, but he’s keeping secrets, and she doesn’t know if she can trust her instincts where he’s concerned. She’s going to have to make a decision, but should she take the risk?

PRE-ORDER NOW for only $1.99 from ARe!

New Cover - Perfect

That awesome artist and author, Stella Price, has just created a lovely cover for my very first story with Tease Publishing. Check it out:

The book will be out on May 15th from Tease. Here’s a little bit about it:

A city girl meets a country boy. She’s “gone country” and he’s just the man to teach her to ride…

A city girl at heart, successful business woman and former bakery owner, Cassandra, has sold out and moved West to her own slice of heaven – a working ranch, complete with cowboys. She doesn’t know much about ranch life, but she’s a willing student, especially when the new ranch hand catches her eye.

Cody compliments her cooking and charms his way into her life, but he’s keeping secrets, and she doesn’t know if she can trust her instincts where he’s concerned. She’s going to have to make a decision, but should she take the risk?