Apologies

To those who read and were looking forward to the posts I mentioned for Twelfth Night, I humbly apologize. Time has gotten away with me and spending time with my family for the holidays. Not to mention, I'm working on learning Dreamweaver to redesign my website as well as working on finishing up my first full length novel, the first book of my Rift Hunter Chronicles, Untamed Hawaiian Heat so I can resubmit it. I hope to have the new website up in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, please enjoy the eye candy I've left you. :)

Until we meet again where passion breathes...
Shay

Stuff Your Stocking- And the Winner Is....

And so the Stuff Your Stocking Blog Hop has come to an end. You know what that means?

Yep. I had to choose a winner.

Congratulations, siobhankinkade! You've won a copy of Branded Hearts.

Thank you to all that commented on my short story, The Legend of the Mistletoe. I'm really glad you enjoyed it. There's still a chance to win a copy of Branded Hearts. All you have to do is go check out the free read written by members of the Passionate Ink Chapter of RWA and comment for a chance to win.

Passionate Ink

Not only is a copy of Branded Hearts up for grabs, but also a copy of my very first book, Shooting Stars. (Which is the prequel to the first book in my Wish Upon a Star Series, Falling Star. I'll share the information about its release date as soon as I have it.)

You'll also have a chance to win many other fabulous prizes from seven other wonderful authors who participated in the round robin story. I promise you won't be disappointed. Go check it out today. The first installment is already posted. Click on the link below the cover for our story, Naughty Night Before Christmas to read it.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! (And Happy Holidays to those who don't celebrate Christmas.)

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay

Stuff Your Stocking- The Legend of the Mistletoe Conclusion

Welcome to the last day of the Stuff Your Stocking Blog Hop.

 Here's the conclusion to my free read. Enjoy...

The Legend of the Mistletoe Part III

Paige had balled her fists against the warmth of his chest with the intent to pummel it until he released her. That was until his mouth descended on hers. His lips merely brushed across hers causing her heart to pound until she feared it would burst from her chest. She gasped when he nipped her lower lip with his teeth.

Lachlan took advantage of her surprise and thrust his tongue between her lips.

She tried to break the kiss shocked at the intimacy beginning to envelope them. That thought fled her mind when he swirled his tongue around hers. She moaned into his mouth and curled her hands around his neck angling her head so he would have better access.

He pulled her flush against his length. A groan escaping him when she plunged her fingers in his hair. He surrendered his claim on her lips trailing his kisses across her cheek to her ear. He nipped her earlobe then whispered huskily, “Do ye ha any idea how long I’ve wanted ta kiss ye, lass?”

Paige heard him say something, but she couldn’t seem to process it through the sensual fog he’d created inside her. A fog that continued to grow with each brush of his hands and lips. She could barely breathe. “Lachlan…” His name escaped her. As a plea for what she wasn’t sure. All she knew was she didn’t want to lose the new sensations she was experiencing. She’d been kissed before, but never like this.

Never had she felt such intensity…such passion…such longing to know more.

Lachlan cupped her breast kneading it until her nipple was stiff against his palm.

A jolt of astonishment crashed through her when she felt the warmth of his hand slipping into her bodice. You shouldn’t be allowing this to happen. The little voice in the back of her mind whispered.

He pinched the tight bud causing her to issue a squeak of surprise as pleasure shot through her.

She hugged him closer wanting to feel more. No needing to feel more…of him. The image of him swimming with her brother at the loch flashed in her mind. Would he look the same naked as he had then? That had been the first time she’d seen a naked male body. It was also the day she’d fallen in love with him.

He chuckled against the curve of her neck. “Always were impatient, weren’t you, Sprite?”  He bit into the tender skin.

She gasped. “Please, Lachlan…I need…” What? She knew where this would lead if she wasn’t careful. Another image surged to the surface of her mind. This one of him tuppin’ her as he had that village lass all those years ago. Right on its heels was the memory of how she’d found the girl crying a few days later. She’d coaxed Janet, she thought her name had been, into telling her what was wrong. Janet had been upset because she’d caught him tuppin’ someone else. No. Her heart cried. I will not be another lass he adds to his collection.

Steeling her resolve she pushed all the feelings he’d aroused in her away and stiffened in his arms. “No.” She pushed against him. “I need to go.”

Lachlan went completely still then removed his hand from her bodice. He rose and met her gaze a question burning in their green depths.

“Ye’ve had yer kiss. Now let me go.” She finally managed to say, though she thought she heard a tremor in her voice. She prayed he didn’t.

He studied her for a long moment. “So ye think ye can deny what’s been buildin’ atween us since that summer ye couldn’t stop followin’ me and Chase around?”

Paige barely managed to hide her surprise at his question. She cleared her throat acutely aware that he still had his arms around her waist. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. There has never been nor will there ever be anything building between us,” she said, though she had to concentrate not to allow her brogue to come out. Doing so would alert him to how much he affected her.

Lachlan leaned in and nipped her lower lip again.

She pulled back so sharply he didn’t have time to let go. She refused to soothe the spot with her finger or her tongue. That would only draw his attention to them all the more. “Let go. Or I’ll…”

“Ye’ll what? Scream? Ye won’t do that if ye don’t want to face the consequences if ye do.” He paused for a moment. “And ye know weel enough what I’m talkin’ aboot. Ye wanted me then and ye want me now. The only thing ye donna know is that I’ve felt the same. Ye just were no’ old enough back then.”

Paige stared at him astonishment at his statement causing her to allow her mouth to gap open like a half-wit. When he pressed his lips to hers once more she almost melted into his embrace again. It was only by sheer force of will that she found the strength to push him back and break his hold on her waist at the same time. She met his eyes which still sparked with a hunger for things she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to indulge in. With him.

Forcing the desire to taste them away she spun on her heel and fled back to the safety of the house. She didn’t stop until she reached her room. Though once there she couldn’t resist the draw of the window overlooking the back garden. She approached it and looked in the direction she’d left him.

He was walking toward the entrance of the house then stopped and glanced up.

Their gazes collided. Had he felt her watching him? She wondered. No. He couldn’t have. And though her heart wanted to believe what he’d said about wanting her. She wasn’t a fool. He would never give up his dissolute ways to please a woman.

Determined to avoid him for the rest of his stay with them she turned away from the window and began working on a plan. Absently she traced a finger over her lips which still tingled from his kisses. When she realized what she was doing she dropped her hands to her side. She definitely couldn’t allow him to kiss her again. 

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I hope you enjoyed reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of my romantic bondage tale, Branded Hearts. 

Click here to return to the Stuff Your Stocking Blog Hop Event page. 

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay

Stuff Your Stocking- The Legend of the Mistletoe Part II

Welcome back for day two of the Stuff Your Stocking Blog Hop. I hope you enjoyed the first installment of my story. Here's the second one. 

The Legend of the Mistletoe Part II

Paige stared at him stunned by his audacity. Did he really think she would permit him to claim a kiss? When she finally recovered from the shock of his bold assumption she realized he’d used her momentary bewilderment to close the distance between them. Though he refrained from actually touching her. “You don’t think I’d actually allow you to kiss me, do you?” she asked trying to ignore the way her heart had sped up with his proximity.

Lachlan laughed. “Tis my right, lass, to claim such a boon.”

“You’re obviously daft if you believe that.” She started to turn and begin walking back to the house. It was of a certainty now that she’d find no peace in her normal refuge. Not with him invading it. She was pulled up short by a hand on her elbow. “I’ll thank ya kindly to release yer hold on my person, sir!” She almost groaned aloud when she heard the gently brogue entering her voice. It had taken her a long time to learn not to let it show.

He pulled her back so her back was almost flush against his chest. “Mmm…I was wonderin’ where that lovely lilt had gone to. Glad to see these English couldn’t strip it out of you completely.”

She shivered when he leaned in and nuzzled her cheek with his hair roughened jaw. She needed to get away from him. His hold on her senses since he’d walked into the drawing room the night before smelling of wind, rain and Scottish heather threatened to overwhelm her. “Let go of me. I need to return to the house. Jadyn, Tory and Elaina will be looking for me to join in the game of charades they had planned for this evening.” She hadn’t really agreed to play the game, but she’d use any excuse she could to get away from the turbulent emotions he sparked within her.

He ignored her request and curled his free hand against her hip while sliding the one holding her arm up to push the deep collar of her cloak out of the way, exposing her neck. “Do ye know the legend of the mistletoe, Sprite?” He stroked a fingertip over the sensitive skin he’d uncovered sending a wave of heat racing through her.

Paige tried to calm her frazzled nerves at the light touch of his finger. She swallowed hard and said, “No.” Her eyes closed tight when the word came out more breathlessly than she’d intended.

Lachlan trailed his fingers along the edge of her jaw teasing her with the gentle caress. “Tis said that twas the love the Goddess Frigga held for her son, Balder that gave the wee plant its distinctive white berries and her blessing that anyone who stands beneath it would never be harmed…” He pulled the fabric of her cloak down. “…and would be entitled to a kiss.” He pressed his warm lips to her shoulder.

Paige wished she’d decided to don a different gown this morning. The one she wore had a deep neckline that barely draped her shoulders. One of which was now being nipped and tasted by the one man who held the power to hurt her fragile heart if she weren’t careful. The only problem was even as her head cried for her to run as fast and as far away as she could her heart cried out just as loud for her to revel in the sensations he was creating inside her. She struggled to find her voice through the fog of desire being spun around her and failed. All she could utter was a tiny moan as he trailed his lips toward the curve where her neck and shoulder met.

“The legend says that Balder dreamt of his death. It weighed on his mind enough that he told his mother of the dream.” He scattered tiny kisses up the column of her neck.

Paige jumped when she felt his tongue trace the shell of her ear. She tried to pull away, but he slipped his other arm around her waist.

He nuzzled her neck scrapping her delicate skin with the dusting of whiskers on his jaw. “Fearing not only for the life of her son but for all life on Earth because he was the God of the Summer Sun, Frigga appealed to every creature in the air, water, fire and earth to promise they would never harm her son. She was promised his safety be every animal and plant under and above the Earth.” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth swirling his tongue around it then bit gently before releasing it.

Paige moaned her breath coming in tiny gasps she couldn’t help but emit. The hand he rested on her stomach rubbed circles over it. The heat of his touch was all around her scorching her skin through multiple layers of fabric they might not have existed. “Please…” She whispered. Though what exactly she was asking for she couldn’t have said she was so caught up in the sensual web of desire he was weaving around them within the shelter of the oak trees they stood beneath.

Lachlan turned her in his arms and took her face in his hands. “Only Loki, who was an enemy of Balder, was aware of one plant that Frigga overlooked. It grew on apple and oak trees and was known as Mistletoe. He took a sprig of this plant and placed it at the tip of an arrow then beguiled Hoder, Balder’s blind brother the God of Winter, and made him shoot the arrow at Balder. Balder died immediately. For three days every creature tried to bring him back to life, but he was only revived by Frigga with the help of the mistletoe.”

Paige watched as his eyes followed the path of his finger as he traced her lips.

“Frigga’s tears on the plant became pearly white berries and she blessed it such that anyone who stands under it would never be harmed,” he finally glanced up and met her gaze, “and would be entitled to a kiss as a token of love.”

Before she could utter a protest he claimed her lips. 

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I'll post the end of the story tomorrow so be sure to check back again. And don't forget to comment for your chance to win my romantic bondage tale, Branded Hearts. 

To get back to the Stuff Your Stocking Event page click here.

I hope to see you back again tomorrow. Merry Christmas!

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay 

Stuff Your Stocking- The Legend of the Mistletoe

Welcome and Merry Christmas, dear readers! I hope you're having a wonderful holiday season. For the Stuff Your Stocking Blog Hop, I'll be posting a short story featuring characters from a historical romance I'll be working on next year. It will be in three parts so be sure to check back each day to read the next installment. :)

The Legend of the Mistletoe

Paige glanced around the room to make sure no one saw her escape. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to join in the Christmas festivities with her family. She just needed a moment to reflect on what had transpired over the last few days and she knew that wasn’t going to happen with her siblings and cousins vying for her attention to play a game of whist or charades.

Most of all she wanted to avoid him.

Lachlan Craig.

Noting that everyone was occupied with the entertainments they’d chosen for the afternoon, Paige quickly slipped out the door and sent the first maid she found to fetch her cloak. It looked like they were due for another bout of snow soon. She also acknowledged that she would be taking as long as she could before rejoining the others. She much preferred the warmer months as she didn’t have to be cooped up with everyone for days on end.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she finally saw Mary approaching with her cloak. “Thank you, Mary. Please don’t mention where I’ve gone. At least not for half an hour,” she said to the maid as she took the coat from her and slipped it around her shoulders. She didn’t wait for a reply before she turned and escaped the house through a door in the drawing room. Silently she thanked her lucky stars that no one was passing the afternoon in the room.

She was so absorbed in her thoughts she didn’t notice the tall broad shouldered frame following closely behind her.

#

Paige took a deep breath of the cold fresh air then exhaled watching the cloud of steam that puffed out in its wake. Why had Da invited Lachlan to stay? She understood he had a responsibility to his welfare since he’d been sent to bring a message all the way from Blackwell Castle in Scotland, but that didn’t mean he had to extend the invitation to stay until Twelfth Night. She didn’t know if she could stand having to see the man at every meal for the next two weeks.

Worse she was going to have to join in some of the entertainments as well. The memory of the last time she’d played with him along with her brother and sisters rose to her mind.

They’d all been playing hide and seek and he’d convinced all the others that she’d gone back inside after glimpsing her hiding in the bushes near the pond. She’d waited until it was almost full dark before she’d finally realized what had happened. She wasn’t surprised that he’d done the same to her sisters as well. They’d been hiding together though since Tory had been too afraid to be alone that summer.

“You shouldn’t be out here in the cold, Sprite.”

Paige stopped abruptly at the sound of the deep voice with its unmistakable brogue. It spoke of someone who hadn’t left the country he’d been born in and thus hadn’t adopted the more cultured tones of the gentry the way her Da and brother, Chase had. There was only one person present at Blackwell Manor who had that voice. Lachlan. She spun on her heel to face him irritation that she couldn’t even spend a few minutes without him protruding on her solitude.

Ah, but he was already intruding wasn’t he? A tiny voice whispered in her mind. She ignored it and the fact that she had indeed been thinking about him. She swallowed hard at the sight that greeted her. He looked far too devastatingly handsome in the suit he’d borrowed from Chase. “Don’t you have something better to do than plague me, Mr. Craig?” The question came out more forcefully than she’d intended dripping with her obvious irritation.

The corners of his lips tipped up. “I dinna figure ya should be coming out here alone, Sprite. What with the coming storm and all.” He took several steps shortening the distance between them. “I’m quite certain yer Mam and Da would never forgive me should something befall ya if they found out I knew you’d come out and not done anything to bring ya back into the warmth of the house.”

Paige couldn’t believe her ears. He really thought to make her come back inside. At one time in her life she would have followed him anywhere. The love she’d thought she had for him all those years ago had been a silly girls dreams, a first love that hadn’t been reciprocated. She knew that for certain when she’d found him tuppin’ one of the village lass’s after she’d finally realized the others had forgotten about her during that fateful hide and seek game seven years ago. Heat suffused her at the thought of that memory. He hadn’t seen her of course, but she’d never been able to forget it.

When he’d shown up yesterday not only had the memory come back full force she’d found her yearning to know what it felt like to be held and touched the way he had the girl in her memory. She shook her head and walked away from him deeper into the trees that lined the side of the garden. “Nothing’s going to happen to me, Mr. Craig. I’ll only be out here a short while. I just needed a breath of fresh air is all.”

Paige gasped in surprise when she felt his strong arm encircle her waist.

He leaned closer until his breath feathered over her ear. “Are ya sure ya weren’t trying to avoid me?”

She shivered and pushed back hard breaking his hold causing him to knock against the trunk of the tree making large clumps of snow to cascade down on him.

He looked up in surprise as though he’d just realized they were under a tree. When he returned his gaze to hers his eyes burned with determination and a mischief that she was sure didn’t bode well for her.

“What? You had that coming you big oaf. I didn’t give you leave to touch me,” she huffed.

“Do you know what yer standing under, Sprite?”

Paige glanced up. “A tree,” she said not bothering to keep the sarcasm out of her tone. What kind of lack wit did he take her for?

“That’d be mistletoe yer standing beneath.” When she didn’t respond he continued, “I’ll be claiming my kiss before I take ye back inside where it’s warm.”

#

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to read the next installment of the story. 

Now for the goodies. I'll be giving away a copy of Branded Hearts to one lucky person. All you have to do is leave a comment on any of the three days and you'll be entered to win. 

Be sure to check out the rest of the awesome authors who are participating in the Stuff Your Stocking Blog Hop. There are tons of prized to be won. Good luck to you all. 

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay

To return to The Blog Spots Events page click here.

Holidays, Motivation, Writing, Baking...

Wow! I can’t believe it’s already December and Christmas is only eleven days away! This year has been a roller coaster ride for me both personally and professionally (or rather like trying to overcome a fear of rock climbing). J (Sorry, Louisa Bacio, I couldn’t resist putting the roller coaster cliché in there.) More on how my year went in a couple of weeks.

I hate to say that I’ve been totally lacking in motivation to get anything done the last couple of days. So much has been going on the last few weeks with preparations for Christmas and all the cookies that I have to bake over the next week (all from scratch, btw.). That’s not even adding in all the things that have been happening with my kids. So I’ve sat at my computer drawing a complete blank about what topic to write about for a few days now. I’ve finally gotten the blog updated with new graphics. (Yay! That’s one thing I’ve been able to mark off my looooong to do list. The website is the next thing to tackle on that front.) I finally decided I’d just give you all an update on what I’ll be doing over the next couple of weeks.

First, I’m putting together a Christmas Round Robin for the Passionate Ink Chapter of RWA. As soon as it’s ready I’ll be posting it on the Passionate Ink’s blog. (Oh, I forgot to mention, I was elected Workshop Coordinator for Passionate Ink! ;) Yay!) Check out the awesome cover that I made for it. Before I forget, be sure to stop by when I post the link, because every person that added to the story will be giving something away. All you have to do is comment to be entered to win. J

During the weekend of December 16-18, 2011, I’ll be participating in the Stuff Your Stocking Blog Hop along with 195 other authors! Each blog participating in the hop will have their own contest. So lots of opportunities to win!

http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/

And finally, on December 26, I will post the first post of my Twelfth Night posts ending on the day of Epiphany January 6, 2012. For those who don't know what Twelfth Night is, here's what Wikipedia says about it. Twelfth Night is a festival in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of Epiphany and concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas. And in medieval and Tudor England, the Twelfth Night marked the end of a winter festival that started on All Hallows Eve-- now more commonly known as Halloween. On January 6, I will do a drawing for something very special to mark the one year anniversary (okay it's a little early, but not by much!) of my becoming a published author. More details on that as it gets closer to time.


In the meantime, don't forget to check out the awesome Christmas give aways that will be held during the events I mentioned. Until this weekend, my friends. I hope you'll join me here on Scorched Sheets where passion breathes...again soon. 


Aloha,
Shay

NaNoWriMo Inspiration #3

Ahhh! I'm late in posting, but it's for a good reason. I stayed up late last night and got a decent word count thus ended up sleeping a little later than normal. I also took a little time today to spend with my husband and youngest son. My DH will be giving me as much time as possible to write during his breaks so I think it's only fair to take a break for a few hours to spend some time with him and the kids. So on to business...

Yesterday's totals are: (insert drum roll here)

Editing: 30 pages of Falling Star
Untamed Hawaiian Heat: 2026 words
Branded Souls: 0

Grand total for the month: 2656 words
Words to go: 47344

I am confident that I'll be able to make it. Especially since I think I figured out what makes the task less daunting for both me and Lucien (my muse). As I was writing last night, I checked to see how many more words I needed to reach 52k on UHH. It dawned on me as I was doing this how much harder I try when I see how little I have to reach that goal. Most of the time it's less than 100 or 200 words. So I push myself to finish that little bit and suddenly I'm close to finishing another 100- 1k. When I'm on the front end of the 1k I focus on it in increments of 100 until I'm nearly finished with the 1k. Then I focus on reaching the 1k mark and so on and so forth.

So with this revelation in mind, I'll begin my writing goal tonight not by looking at the 2k I HAVE to make to stay on target for the month (I did the math and I actually need a little over 1700 to reach the 50k goal for the month). Instead I'll start by focusing my goal on getting that 344 words out of the way. If my theory is correct, the next time I look at my word count I'll already be halfway through the next 1k. I'll let you know if this works for me. And by all means, feel free to try this out for yourself.

Now for an inspiring quote and of course some eye candy. (BTW, if there are any guys who would like a little female eye candy, let me know and I'll post it too.)

To write something, you have to risk making a fool of yourself. ~ Anne Rice

Don't worry about this during NaNo though! You can fix these errors when you start editing/revising in December!

Mmmm...I really don't think any words are necessary here. *sigh*

Okay, enough play time.Here's a towel to wipe the drool off the keyboard. Now get back to work. You have a novel to finish!! You can always come revisit the pretty when you need a little more inspiration. I know I will.

Happy writing everyone!

Aloha,
Shay

Discover worlds where passion breathes...

NaNoWriMo Inspiration #2

Day 2 of my NaNo journey is over. Day two was an improvement over day one. Still way off of my goal, but at least I had progress. Here's my results for the day/month so far.

Untamed Hawaiian Heat began at 51706 and ended at 51795 for a total of 89 words added.
Branded Souls began at 0 and ended at 449 words.

Combined total for the first two days is 630 words. Only 49,370 more to reach the 50k mark. A daunting challenge, but I'm going to try. My DH has the next few days off so I hope to regain some of the ground I've lost the first couple of days. Now I'm off to work on those edits I mentioned in the first post.

Here's your daily dose of motivation.

If you wish to be a writer; write! ~Epictetus

Go play with your words! Create something wonderful!

Now if he doesn't inspire you to write something  I don't know what will!

On to day 3 for me! Edits this morning and writing tonight after I've attended all the familial duties. Happy writing everyone!

Aloha,
Shay

Discover worlds where passion breathes...

NaNoWriMo Inspiration #1

NaNoWriMo Inspiration

By Shay MacLean

It’s that time of year again. Time to buckle down in your favorite writing chair and type until your fingers fall off. Practice your BICHOK (butt in chair hands on keyboard) until you can no longer feel said butt. In other words, ignore the outside world as much as possible as you pay homage to your muse. Hopefully you’ll come out of this month long phenomenon with the rough draft of a manuscript that with a little bit of polish will be saleable.

I’m sitting here on Day 2 of my NaNo journey looking at my pitiful word count from yesterday. As many of you may know, I’m a domestic goddess J (in other words a stay at home mom and wife) so invariably my writing time falls in the wee hours of the morning. Unfortunately, I was dead tired last night and unable to concentrate enough to string two words together, much less the amount needed to make my daily quota. I’m aiming for 2k a day.

So here I am patiently biding my time until my toddler takes his nap so I can try and get some words in. He tends to like sitting right beside me (practically on my lap) and try to type for me or play with my mouse. (Honestly, I’m surprised he’s being good long enough for me to write this post.)

Here are my goals for NaNo. Some of them are out of the norm for the official NaNoWriMo rules, but I’ve got some things on my plate that I really need to finish. I hope to update everyone on a daily basis.

1)      Finish the edits for Falling Star (the sequel to Shooting Stars)

2)      Finish revising Untamed Hawaiian Heat and resubmit it

3)      Write Branded Souls (second book in my Romantic Bondage Series)

So there they are. I’ve added a meter for Untamed Hawaiian Heat and Branded Souls. At the very least I’ll adjust the word count total on them and post something inspirational for all my fellow NaNoers. I know there are many. I’ll leave you with a quote and pic for the day.

A word is a bud attempting to become a twig. How can you not dream while writing? It is the pen which dreams. The blank page gives it the right to dream. ~ Gaston Bachelard

Take a page out of Snoopy's book. No matter what he never stopped writing! 

And for those needing a more stimulating visual for your writing inspiration...

What are you waiting for? He's beckoning you to write his story.

Good luck to everyone! May your fingers fly over the keyboard spouting magic in their wake!

I hope you join me again to...

Discover worlds where passion breathes...

Aloha,

Shay

Oh! Almost forgot to give you my word counts. I tried to grab one of those meters, but couldn't figure out how to make it work. So You'll have to do with me just typing my progress in. :)

Untamed Hawaiian Heat 51795 (Aiming for approximately 80k)

Branded Souls 0 (Aiming for 30k, I'll be working on this one a little later today)

Slip into Scorched Sheets with Kellie Kamryn

Aloha!

I’d like to welcome Kellie Kamryn to curl up on Scorched Sheets today. She’s her to celebrate the release for her book, Monkeys, Sex and Other Birthday Surprises which will be available September 25, 2011 from SecretCravings Publishing.

Kellie Kamryn is a contemporary & erotica romance author. Her sensual and often humerous novel and short story writing allows her to spread her vivid imagination to everyone out there who is willing to listen. She writes seductive tales where characters come to life and touch your heart and soul, making your fingers tingle in anticipation. Kellie is a PRO member of Romance Writers of America and a contributing blogger for the Ass Cheek Angels and The Naughty Romance Writers. 

Before we talk about the book I'd like to ask a few questions to get to know who Kellie is. 

Where are you from?

I live in Manitoba, Canada with my 4 children and adorable puppy. Or should that be adorable children and puppy? LOL!

Have you always lived in Manitoba? Where do you call home? 

I’ve always lived in this province but in different towns. I grew up in a small town called Anola.

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

I’m an eternal optimist. No matter how down I get or what happens to me, I always believe that it will get better. It just has to damn it!

What is your favorite quote?

“A friend is one who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” - Unknown

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? 

That I have three book releases coming out in the next month. Someone told me once I’d never make it as a writer. Well, the financial part of it remains to be seen, but my goal was to write books that publishers would believe in enough to sell. So far, I’ve got 5 contracted. I’m proud of so many other things I’ve gotten through as well. When times are tough and I can get through them, there is a sense of accomplishment in that.

We’ll talk about Monkeys, Sex and Other Birthday Surprises in a moment, but first I’d like to hear how you got your start in writing.

How has your upbringing influenced your writing?

Hmm…I don’t know. My mom always read to us as children and it was the favorite part of my day when I was young. I used to keep journals as a kid and write short stories and poems in them. I read all the time too! My goal was to collect all the hardcover Nancy Drew’s. I guess I’ve always wanted to create stories people would want to read, too.

Do you remember how you became interested in writing?

Nope. LOL I just always have.

What inspires you to write and why?

To quote Shrek – “As I always say – better out than in!” I have story ideas floating around in my head constantly. It’s better to get them out and free up brain space.

Who or what influenced your writing when you started out?

I hired a great editor to work with who taught me a lot about writing mechanics because I’d forgotten since high school - Mary Williams. Eloisa James gave me some great advice a couple of years ago about joining RWA and it’s been the greatest thing for me as far as meeting other writers and networking goes.

I wholeheartedly agree with joining RWA or any writing group for that matter. They've helped me a lot too. 

Who or what influences your writing now?

All my writer friends, like you. It’s like when I was a gymnast – it takes one to know one. Other writers understand the trials and tribulations of being a writer. They know what it’s like to meet deadlines and do edits or try to write new material with the demands of every day life. I have many great friends who are my support system, and I hope I support them in kind.

What made you want to be a writer?

Just to prove I could.

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general?

Finding time! Time is there but when you have a family, there is so much to schedule in. If only I didn’t need sleep…

LOL. I hear you on that one. I've got 4 children at home too. They like to keep us on our toes. :)

How important do you think villains are in a story?

A villain always makes for a good story. So far my villains tend to be the thought processes of my characters. Then they grow beyond it to come to a satisfying ending and find their HEA.

Did writing this book teach you anything? What was it?

Humor can get you through almost anything. Gotta find time to laugh.

Do you intend to make writing a career?

Yes. As much as I can.

What is your greatest strength as a writer?

Perseverance. You need that to get ahead at anything in life.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what did you do about it?

Usually, I go for a walk, sit outside, play with the kids. Anything to remind me that there is more to life than writing. My muse always comes back. Sometimes it takes a break to tell me I need one.

Tell me about Monkeys, Sex and Other Birthday Surprises.

It's a story about the mishaps we have in life, during sex and how with a little humor, we can get through anything.

Tell us your latest news.

The release date for this has moved up to September 23^rd!!

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Excerpt: Monkeys, Sex and Other Birthday Surprises

“Mother!” Missy peered around Sam and shot her mom a death glare.

Her mom gestured, palms up. “What? It’s about time, if you ask me.”

“No one asked you!”

“Just saying. She gets cranky when she hasn’t gotten it in a while—”

“Mom!”

“—and believe me, we’ve seen her cranky side for quite some time. I hope you’re good.”

Sam began to sputter a reply, but Missy interrupted. “Mom. Get. Out.”

“Fine. Going,” she said, turning away. But then she pivoted back to them for a parting shot.

“Way to go, honey.”

Missy covered her face with her hands. Sam tried to remove them but she held firm. “Feel free to leave any time. My family is crazy. My life is insane.”

“Well, it’s anything but boring.”

“No shit.”

“You’re mom’s a firecracker. Maybe we should have a threesome.”

Missy removed her hands from her face and gaped at him.

“I’m kidding,” Sam said, holding his hands up out in front of him. “That was a joke. I like

kinky, but a mother-daughter combo is not one of my fantasies.”

She swatted his arm and dug out a fresh T-shirt from a drawer. It hugged her generous

bosom, and Sam’s eyes drew there like Winnie-the-Pooh to a honey pot.

“You have a great rack.”

The sincerity in his voice made her smile, despite the crude way in which he delivered the compliment. “I’m glad you approve.” She huffed out a breath. “We should get back to the party.”

Sam took hold of her hand and led her out of the room. At the doorway, he tugged on her hand so she spun to face him. He yanked her against him, and she melted into his body on contact. “One more to tide us over.”

The man never let her speak. His mouth captured hers, but this time his tongue invaded, mating with hers. Her hands crept up to his neck and sank into the curls at his nape. Deep, hot, wet—everything a passionate kiss should be. Thrust, parry. Dodge, tease. Slip, slide.

Missy sucked on his tongue, hinting at what she could do to his dick. He groaned, his hands digging into her back. He didn’t release her when they broke apart.

Their chests heaved. Desire crackled between them. The words of her sister echoed in her head, “Real sex is better than phone sex…” Yeah, it is. Or, would be.

Missy put some distance between them, keeping her hands in his hair. The ache between her thighs shrieked at her to follow through with things. Like, right now. What was more important—sex or birthday cake?

She knew if she didn’t return to the living room, her mother would announce that she was “indisposed.”

Missy looked him straight in the eyes and gave his erection a slight nudge with her pelvis.

“Okay. We’ll do it your way later. No talking. Just fucking.” And before she could take back what she said, she hurried back to the waiting guests.

Where can we buy your book?

You can find it at my publisher's website, Secret Cravings Publishing.

How did you come up with the title?

I took the most important elements and put them in the title. I thought it was funny. Thankfully, the publisher thought so too.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Never give up! If you want it bad enough find a way to do it. Join writers groups, work with industry professionals and do your research before submitting.

Would you mind answering a few fun questions for the audience?

Sure. 

What do you do to unwind and relax?

Sitting out under the stars, or hot baths.

What makes you laugh out loud?

Crude jokes. The antics of my children.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Doing what I love to do and having that special someone to share in it with me.

What is your greatest extravagance? 

Shoes, underwear. lol

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

That I’m sweet. Not really…

What’s your favorite curse word?

Fuck. So many uses for that one, and so many opportunities to use it.

When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have? 

That I did what I wanted to do and was happy.

If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be?

You have the power to make your dreams come true.

You can find Kelllie online at  

http://www.kelliekamryn.com/

http://www.kelliekamryn.blogspot.com/

Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for stopping by, Kellie, and sharing a little about yourself and your book with us. I look forward to reading it. (Just have to get past all those deadlines first.) 

Six Sentence Sunday- Untamed Hawaiian Heat

Welcome, readers. Another Sunday is upon us. My how the time is flying. Please enjoy another six from my revisions of Untamed Hawaiian Heat. Last week you met my heroine, Kiana and one of my heroes, Mateo. This week is Tiaki, my Rift Hunter.

Setup: Tiaki is a Rift Hunter from the Phoinix Galaxy. He's been assigned the task of closing a rift through time and space that was opened near Earth in 2011 only something goes wrong and he's sucked into the rift instead and deposited at the feet (literally) of Kiana.

As the end of the vortex approached there was another energy spike, it thrust him through the last meter of the tunnel. What the hell? He slammed into the hard packed ground with a bone crunching thud. Pain shot through every molecule of his body. He lifted his head slightly when he heard the sound of guns being fired nearby. The last thing he saw before the blackness enveloped him was a woman standing over him, a stunned expression on her face.

I hope you enjoyed this weeks six. Have a happy and safe Labor Day tomorrow. Click here to return to Six Sentence Sunday site.

Until we met again...where passion breathes...

Shay

Six Sentence Sunday- Untamed Hawaiian Heat

Wow! How time flies? It's been a while since I've participated.  It's been that kind of summer. Today I'd like to offer a bit from my erotic sci-fi/paranormal romance, Untamed Hawaiian Heat.

Set up: Kiana is pouring over some maps stressed out trying to figure out what the Obsidian Syndicate wants with Hawaii and Mateo is worried that she's not taking care of herself. She's also just admitted to feeling a restlessness building inside her that she doesn't know what is.So he decides to distract her from her worries. (NOTE: They are linked telepathically through their cybernetic implants. That's why some of the dialogue is in italics.)

He scattered kisses over her mouth and cheeks, nibbling his way to her ear. “Then let me build something else inside you,” he whispered huskily in her ear. He bit gently into her neck, trailing his lips along the column of her throat as he reached for the buttons at her breasts. “You know I can do it.”

His words slid into her mind conjuring images of their bodies writhing in ecstasy. “Yes you can…in such delicious ways too.”

I hope you enjoyed my SSS offering this week. Hopefully things will settle down enough for me to get back on schedule again. Click here to return to Six Sentence Sunday.

Until we meet again...where passion breathes...

Shay

Branded Hearts Excerpt

Welcome, readers! 

I know I haven't been posting like I should be, but I've been very busy with revisions on the first book in my sci-fi/paranormal romance, Untamed Hawaiian Heat. Working hard to get it ready to resubmit. :) In the meantime, please enjoy an excerpt from my latest release, "Branded Hearts" from Sizzler Editions.

CHAPTER ONE

New York 2180

   Magarit St. James glanced around at each member sitting in the
boardroom. This was the end of her first week as head of the Branded
Division of St. James Virtual Publishing. She was more than a little
pissed off that her father, Franklin St. James, had refused to give her
control of the Action Adventure Division like she'd asked. Instead
he'd given her the romance division. He couldn't have been more
clear on his message with the move either.

   You're just like your mother. You can have control of the division
she started. That irritated her more than she wanted to admit. She'd
done everything she could to distance herself from her mother's
behavior before she'd walked out, but because she resembled her so
much he'd turned his back on her.

   She shook herself mentally. She didn't have time to think about
that right now. Her Vice President of Operations, Alex Barrett, was
missing.

   Again.

   Since she'd taken over his job at the beginning of the week she
hadn't seen him at any of the meetings. In fact, he hadn't been into the
office at all. She reached for her tablet PC and made a note to call
him later and inform him that he better be in on Monday or there
would be hell to pay.

   She knew how the publishing industry worked, but she was new to
the virtual divisions St. James Publishing had established. And she
intended to learn all there was to learn so she could make Branded the
top grossing division. Maybe Father will reconsider once he sees
what I can do.

   "Alright, everyone. I'm pleased with the progress that each of you
has reported for your individual departments." She glanced down at
her watch then regarded her team again. "I'll be coming around to
each section of the virtual department this afternoon. Being new to
the virtual part of publishing, I'd like to see what goes into developing
a manuscript into a virtual world. Would anyone be willing to give
me the tour? I don't want to skip ahead and miss any aspects."

   "I'll give you the tour."

   Margarit turned in her seat to face the door, her mouth going dry.
Leaning against the doorframe like he owned the room was the most
impressive specimen of the male population she'd ever seen. And the
one she'd never been able to forget.

   Her heart skipped a beat as an image of him swirled to the surface
of her mind. He was leaning over her as she sat on his lap. His mouth
capturing the moans of pleasure escaping hers despite her best efforts
to remain quiet. His tongue thrusting inside tangling with hers in tune
with the rhythm to his fingers plunging in and out of her pussy.

   Alex Barrett ... her missing VP, walked – no, “walked” was too
tame a word for the way he moved; he prowled like a big jungle cat
along the edge of the conference room, not stopping until he reached
the chair to her right. He met her gaze and held it as he sat down.
The predatory look in those incredible green eyes stunned her.

   He scooted his chair closer to hers.

   She felt herself flush. She'd thought she recognized the name, but
then dismissed the notion that it would be him. What were the odds
that he'd be working for her father? Slim at best. She was relieved
when it seemed that he didn't remember her.

   She watched as the tall, raven-haired goddess, Jasmyn Carrara,
followed Alex's lead and pulled a chair up next to his. Her lush
curves strained against the confines of her white poplin shirt, which
was unbuttoned to just below her breasts, revealing a pale pink lacy
shirt beneath. She met the woman's whisky colored eyes and found
them roaming over her body like she was undressing her in her mind.
It wasn't the first time she'd found the woman doing that in the last
week.

   Maggie glanced at her full pouty lips and imagined biting into the
lower one as she sucked on it. When Jasmyn's tongue swept out and
wet it, she looked up to find her watching her intently. The look in
her eyes said she knew what she'd been thinking about.

   The air around her suddenly felt too hot. She glanced around the
room to see if anyone else felt the heat. She frowned inwardly when
she noted no one else was affected by the sudden rise in temperature.
Returning her eyes to Alex and Jasmyn she said, "Ms. Carrara, Mr.
Barrett, so glad you could join us."

   The smile he flashed her held such a smugness that she had to curb
the urge to say something to wipe it off his handsome face; a face she
was sure the Greek gods would have envied, had they still been
around. "My pleasure. But call me Alex. We all address each other
by first names around here, Maggie."

   "It's Ms. St. James. Are you sure you have time to give me the
tour? I mean you haven't been here all week, don't you have a lot of
work piled up on your desk" she asked, silently hoping he'd say he did
have too much to do. Something about this man had always gotten
too her. Made her crave things she didn't want to acknowledge.
That he seemed to be connected to the woman who'd haunted her
dreams for the last week didn't help any either. If anything, it only
added fuel to the fire already burning inside her.

   A grin spread across his face, his eyes twinkling with a devilish
glint. "I may not have been here, Maggie, but I can assure you that I
was working. Indeed, I can guarantee that I'm actually ahead of
schedule in all my accounts." His eyes roved over her face, lingering
on her lips.

   Did he remember her? Would he say anything if he did? She
shoved that thought away before she could think on it more. She
didn't need the complications he was sure to bring should she allow
him into her life.

   Why? Oh, why did she always have to deal with men who were so
self-assured? She was really beginning to think she was cursed to
never be one–up on any man. Ever. All the men in her life had ever
done was disappoint her, in one-way or another.

   He looked around the room as though daring anyone else to pipe up
and take the task of tour guide from him. When he returned his eyes
to her, the heat she saw in their jungle–green depths sent a flood of
desire coursing through her, pooling between her thighs unlike
anything she'd ever known.

   She broke eye contact and cleared her throat. "Alright then. It's
settled. Mr. Barrett will be giving me the tour. I'll see the rest of you
at the meeting on Monday morning." She sat quietly while they all
filed out the door. It was only then that she realized that most of the
people had only given their first name when they'd introduced
themselves.

   She turned in her seat and noticed that Alex and Jasmyn were still
seated. She met each of their gazes. "Is there something you needed
to talk to me about, Ms. Carrara?"

   Jasmyn shook her head; her waist length black tresses trembled
with the movement. She shifted her striking dark amber eyes to look
at Alex before answering. "No, I don't have any questions."

   "Then why don't you get back to work." Maggie's irritation at the
girl's manner rose with each passing second.
Again she shifted her gaze to Alex. "Is there anything else that you
need, Maestro?"

   She had the disconcerting feeling that they were communicating by
another means. Maybe with some of the new cybernetic links she'd
heard about that allowed you to talk to someone who you were
connected with. She didn't like it one bit.

   Maggie shook her head. She couldn't have heard what she thought
she'd heard. She watched in shock when Alex leaned over in his chair
and grasped Jasmyn behind the neck. She watched them from the
corner of her eye with more interest than she wanted to admit.

   Especially to herself.

   Alex stroked her cheek. "Yes, mi sumisa. You've been very
defiant today. I want you to think about the spanking you'll get for
lusting after someone else in front of me." He closed the space
between them and licked the seam of her lips until she opened for
him.

   Maggie watched him devour her mouth without actually deepening
the kiss very much. The thought of being kissed like that had her
squirming where she sat. Although she didn't understand exactly what
kind of relationship they had, it was obvious they practiced the
Lifestyle.

   Alex finally pulled back, brushing the pad of his thumb across her
bottom lip before he releasing her.

   Even though Jasmyn seemed disappointed with his withdrawal she
didn't say anything. Instead she rose and left the room, although she
glanced back at her and Alex before disappearing through the door.

   Maggie wasn't surprised by the provocative look Jasmyn cast in her
direction; her eyes traveled over Maggie's body with blatant sexual
desire burning in them. She fought the urge to shift in her seat under
the woman's perusal. When she finally returned her gaze to Alex, he
was staring at her, his eyes perceiving too much of what she was
trying to hide.

   She stood; shaking off the feelings the two had evoked in her and
began walking toward the door. "I don't know what the hell that little
display was, Mr. Barrett, but don't let it happen in front of me again.
If it does, I'll make sure you regret it. Now I'll be ready for the tour in
fifteen minutes." She reached for the doorknob and started to pull it
open, only to have it pushed shut again.

   She closed her eyes and tried to remember to breathe. She could
feel the heat of his body just inches away from her back. "Mr.
Barrett, this is highly inappropriate. I demand that you move your
person away and let me out of this room." It took all her strength to
force the words from her mouth, when what she wanted to do was turn
around and shove him against the door. Pin him with her body while
she fucked his mouth with her tongue.

   She hadn't forgotten what it had been like to kiss him even though
it had been four years since she'd seen him.

   Alex pressed closer and nipped the shell of her ear with his teeth.
"That wasn't what you were begging me to do the last time I saw you,
Maggie."

   He purred her name in such a way as to conjure images of them
lying in a bed covered with satin sheets completely naked.

   Oh, God! He remembered. Her heart pounded in her ears as she
tried to think of how to respond to that.

   He pushed the hair away from her neck and nuzzled her there. "I
can still hear your cries of pleasure as I thrust my fingers in and out of
your hot pussy ... your cream coating my hand when you came.
MMM..." He bit the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder.

   Maggie shuddered. Shivers of delight raced down her spine. Her
breath came in shallow gasps. How was she supposed to work with
him when he still made her feel all hot and bothered? And that was
just with a few simple words. She gathered her courage and pushed
back with her entire body.

   Alex stumbled back a couple of steps.

   She turned to look at him. She could feel the color rise in her
cheeks. Part of her wanted to push him back until he lay across the
conference table and have her way with him. The other part wanted to
slap his face for daring to touch her without her permission. "I don't
care what you remember from back then, Mr. Barrett. I'm a different
person now. And I'm your boss. Now if you'll excuse me I need to
make a couple of calls before we begin the tour." She turned and
grasped the doorknob again. She paused before she opened it.
Looking over her shoulder she said, "Remember what I said. Don't
display whatever it is between you and Ms. Carrara in front of me
again." She let the threat hang between them and left before he could
say anything.

   After that little scene, she needed a few minutes to compose herself
before facing any other employees with him at her side. She entered
her office and closed the door behind her. Leaning back against it she
thought about what she'd just seen.

   The display she'd just witnessed between Alex and Jas has made
her yearn to explore that side of herself again. She'd known a long
time ago that the idea of dominating someone else aroused her.

   She'd been perplexed by the way Alex had reacted at the graduation
party four years earlier. After he'd brought her to a soul-shattering
climax, she'd tried to take control of the love play. When she'd started
to pin his hands above his head he'd freaked out and pushed her away.
Now it seemed that the tables had flipped.

   She'd been in a similar situation two years before and it hadn't
ended well. She rubbed her wrist absently before she realized what
she was doing. She'd become more than a little intimidated by
dominant men after she'd left Chase.

   What worried her most was the way she'd been drawn to the two of
them as they'd interacted. Of course, their play hadn't been anything
like what Chase had wanted from her. She'd seen a tenderness pass
between them that she'd never felt with Chase.

   She took a deep breath as visions of that horrible evening
threatened to wash over her. No! She refused to think about that.
About him. He'd been a thorn in her side for far longer than she'd
realized.

   She didn't need or want a relationship. She wasn't willing to put
herself through that again. She'd been fine with her decision. That is
until Alex had walked into the conference room ... back into her life.

   The very air around him seemed to crackle with unseen energy; like
it wanted to touch the man beneath the hard exterior by whatever
means possible. She knew that if she allowed him close, that feeling
would consume her. It didn't help matters that she'd ousted him from
his job as President of the Branded Division.

   If she read the look in his eyes right, he was determined to force her
to submit to his will and give up her new job. Well, she'd show him a
thing or two. There was no way she was giving it up. It was her only
hope of showing her father she was capable of running a more
prominent division of the company.

   If she couldn't convince him ... well she didn't want to think about
what would happen. She wasn't going to fail. That wasn't an option.



I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from "Branded Hearts". If you'd like to read more you can find it at Sizzler Editions and Amazon.

Until we meet again...where passion breathes...

Shay