And the Winner Is...

And the Winner is...

Desi the Blonde

I want to thank you all for commenting. I do have more of that short, but due to my traveling during the days of the blog hop I was unable to get it typed in and posted. I will be posting it at a later date though. So be sure to follow me (here and/or on Twitter), like my Facebook page and I'm also in the process of getting a Newsletter set up if you'd like to sign up for it. You can also find out more about me and all of my books on my Amazon Author Page. 

I hope to have my website updated and the first newsletter out by the end of August. 

Congratulations, Desi. I'll be sending you an email to confirm I have the correct email address for you before I send out the PDF. I hope you enjoy "Falling Star". Don't forget to check out "Shooting Stars" which features how Schyler and Willa's relationship started. :)

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay

Stars and Stripes, Part One: A Wish Upon a Star Tale

Stars and Stripes, Part One

A Wish Upon a Star Tale

by Shay MacLean

Vanessa Ó Rinn took a deep breath and pushed the memory of Jin Wu dancing with Mizuki Turner out of her mind. She’d been haunted by images of them together for two months now. No more. She’d made a conscious decision to not think of them to enjoy herself when she’d accepted Willa’s invitation to the barbeque Schy and Kee had decided to throw for the 4^th of July.

Enjoying meant not thinking about them or what had happened in the past. What had happened back then was over and there was no looking back.

Sighing Nessa frowned as she finished arranging carrots on the veggie tray and she realized Willa and Schy had never had a barbeque for July 4^th before. She had a mental note to ask her about it later and picked up the tray to take it outside. Pushing the screen door open Nessa stepped out onto the deck without looking up. “Hey, Willa, where do you want the veggie tray?”

“Just put it on the table under the kitchen window,” Willa called from the other side of the deck.

Nessa smiled when she heard Willa giggle. She didn’t need to look at her best friend to know that one of her husbands was probably doing something to make her reach that way. In fact she was certain she didn’t want to look. It was bad enough she kept catching Kee and Willa together at the hospital. She really had no desire to see it here.

Nessa glanced up and located the table Willa was talking about. She’d only taken a couple of steps when she stumbled on a loose board and pitched forward. Shit. She let go of the tray and braced herself for the impact with the deck.

Squeezing her eyes shut she was surprised when she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her. She took a deep breath to steady her racing heart. “Thanks, Schy. You can let me go now. I’m fine.”

“And if I don’t want to let you go? Now that I have you’re undivided attention.”

Nessa opened her eyes and stared into the deep brown eyes that had been haunting her dreams for the past nine years. “Jin.” She grimaced when his name came out more breathless than she would have liked. She stiffened her spine. “What are you doing here?”

“Probably because of me.”

Nessa closed her eyes at the dulcet tones of Mizuki’s voice sent a shiver racing up her spine. “Please let me go,” she whispered to Jin.

Jin dropped his arms from around her and took a step back. “Rinn, we just want to talk to you. Can you at least listen to what Ryuu and I have to say?”

A tremble of pleasure rippled through her with the way he said the nicknames he’d given her and Mizuki when they’d dated what felt like a lifetime ago.

Mizuki took a step closer drawing Nessa’s attention.

Nessa sucked a breath in at the sight of Mizuki, her black hair pulled into a ponytail which she’d curled into long silky ringlets that brushed her bare shoulders her bone structure and porcelain skin a perfect mixture of her American and Japanese parents genetics. God, she was gorgeous. Nessa dug her fingers into the palm of her hand fighting the urge to push the hair out of the way and replace them with her lips.

She forced herself to return her gaze to Jin. Heat pooled between her thighs at the undisguised lust she saw burning in his eyes. She didn’t have to look to know he aroused by the sensual tension permeating the air around the three of them. She shook her head. “I…I can’t.” She didn’t wait to see if either of them would respond before she fled into the house and practically ran to Willa’s guest room.

As she shut the door behind her she realized Schy had invited all the available members of the hospital staff that had served any time in the Armed Forces. That was why Mizuki was here. She and Jin had been inseparable since she’d come back to town. At least that was the gossip she’d heard from the other nurses.

What the hell was she going to do? She didn’t know if she could handle an entire evening in such close proximity with both of them.

One would have been easy to avoid, but both of them would be impossible. Swiping away the tears she hadn’t even realized she’d shed, she decided she would go tell Willa she had been called in or something.

She had almost reached the door when it swung open.

Mizuki stepped into the room and closed it behind her. She leaned back. “Ness, please hear me out before you leave. I never got the chance to talk to you after you left Jin and I.” She pushed back and approached not stopping until only a couple of inches separated them. “Please, Rinn.”

Nessa felt her heart skip a beat at the sound of Jin’s nickname for her coming from Mizuki’s sweet mouth. She started to shake her head and froze when Mizuki caressed her cheek. “I…”

“I know why you left, but I never got to tell you a proper good bye.”

Before Nessa realized what Mizuki was up to she leaned in and pressed her mouth to her suddenly dry lips.

***

Happy Forth of July! I hope you all enjoyed part one of my short free read. It's a precursor for the second book of my Wish Upon a Star Series, Dragon Star, which I will be working later this year. Please stop by tomorrow and read the next installment. Comment for a chance to win a copy of Falling Star.

Oh and don't forget to take a moment to remember why we celebrate Independence Day. Remember all the soldiers and their families throughout history who have sacrificed so much for us to live with the freedoms we take for granted most of the time. :) 

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay 

With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop: Winners

With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop Winners!

Wow! This week has gone by fast! Sorry I didn't get this posted sooner. It's been hectic in RL this week. So without further ado, here are the winners of the With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop.

A copy of Branded Hearts goes to Laurie
A copy of Shooting Stars goes to Naomi
Finally a copy of Falling Star goes to Katheryn Merkel

I'll contact you to make sure I have the correct email address before I send out your prizes. Katheryn, Falling Star isn't released yet, but as soon as I get my author copy I'll get your prize out to you. :)

Thank you to all who stopped by and left comments. I hope you'll visit again. :)

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay

With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop: First Kisses- Top Ten Favorite Kissing Songs

Welcome to the final day of the With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

Top Ten Favorite Kissing Songs

Today I'd like to share some of my favorite songs about kissing. I actually asked for suggestions in a couple of groups on Facebook and searched YouTube to find some awesome songs about kissing. These are the ones that made my top ten. 

1. Kiss the Girl - From The Little Mermaid

2. This Kiss - Faith Hill

3. You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This - Toby Keith

4. Just a Kiss - Lady Antebellum

5. It's In His Kiss - Betty Everett

6. Kissing You - Des'ree

7.Kiss the Rain - Billie Meyers

8. Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals

9. Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer

10. Kiss You All Over - Exile

And now for the exclusive sneak peak from "Falling Star". 

Blurb: Willa Brock has everything a woman could hope for-- great friends, a loving husband, and a rewarding career --at least she thought so until her world began to crumble around her. Almost overnight, she's doubting her abilities as a doctor, and battling some past inner demons.

Schyler is head over heels for his wife, but he still harbors a desire to be with men. When Willa confessed an attraction to her friend, Keenan Fergason, Schy went out of his way to befriend him in hopes of satisfying his desires and igniting new ones with his wife, never dreaming he’d fall for him. But, can he convince Willa that loving Keenan won’t change how he feels about her?

Willa must come to terms with her past before she can realize that the love she has for Schy will only be strengthened in ways she never dreamed if they acknowledge what they both feel for Keenan.  

First kiss between Willa and Keenan:

His eyes were intense, stormy and wild. He clenched his jaw as though trying to contain the emotion she saw swirling in their depths, an emotion she’d rather not contemplate at the moment. "Is that what you believe we think of you as, Willa? A possession?

"Isn’t that what I just said? I don’t think I stuttered." She tried to pull free of his grip, but only succeeded in making him tighten it.

"That is so not how either of us sees you," he said, his voice thick and husky as though he was trying to hold back what he was feeling, but not quite succeeding.

"Really? Then tell me how it is that you see me, because from where I’m standing that’s what it looks like."

"We see a woman who’s intelligent, vibrant, commanding, and sexy as hell. And we both just want the chance to hold onto you, even if only for a moment."

Willa tried again to pull free. "That’s all good and fine, Kee, but have you forgotten that I’m married to Schy. You shouldn’t be thinking about holding me. Ever."

Kee raised his hand and cupped her cheek. "You know good and well that he and I both want to have a ménage with you. We’ve hinted at it for several weeks now, Willa. I know Schy has discussed it with you. He told me how he described in detail for you how much he wants to watch while I fuck you. How he wants to fuck your pussy while I work that delicious ass of yours."

The look in his eyes burned deep into her soul. Tempting her... beckoning her to taste what he…they were offering.

Kee leaned in closer. His breath feathered over her lips. "He also told me that he explained to you about wanting to fuck my ass while I fucked you." He stuck his tongue out and licked her lower lip. "I know how hot that made you, Willa. How you went crazy on Schy at the images he painted for you. So tell me again how you don’t think of me holding you? Of both of us holding you?"

Willa opened her mouth, willing her tongue to form the words she knew she should say. But nothing came out. Instead she found herself licking her suddenly dry lips and leaning toward Kee, when she should be pushing him away.

He must have sensed her reaction, because the next thing she knew he was licking her lips, too. Angling his head so he could press his more firmly against hers. He backed up and gazed into her eyes.

She could imagine what he saw there. Confusion…denial…lust…Whatever it was he seemed to consider it for a moment before he claimed her mouth in a scorching kiss.

Kee slanted his mouth across hers and stroked his tongue over her lower lip. Nipping until she whimpered and opened for him.

She met his tongue with hers, moaning deep in her throat as he pulled her flush against the length of him. She didn’t realize she’d wrapped her arms around him until she felt her back pressed into the door behind her as he stumbled forward a step.

He ground his hips into hers. Letting her feel the ridged length of his cock pressed against her stomach. Oh, God! What the hell am I doing? The thought fled her mind as quickly as it was formed when he cupped her ass and pulled her tighter against him.

She couldn’t help but kiss him back. She reveled in the taste of him. Chocolate. Mmmm. He must have been eating his favorite dark chocolate M&M’s again. She wasn’t much for chocolate in general, but the taste of it on his tongue proved decadent. And she couldn’t get enough of it. She sucked his tongue into her mouth savoring the flavor.

****

Be sure to leave a comment telling me your favorite song about kissing and you'll be entered to win a copy of "Falling Star" when it's released later this month. :)

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay

With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop: First Kisses- Top Ten Favorite Movie Kisses

Welcome to the second day of the With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

First Kisses: Top 10 Movie Kisses

As I was trying to come up with the posts for this blog hop, my mind somehow zeroed in on kisses. I found myself reflecting on what kinds of posts I could come up with when thinking about kisses. So today I’m going to reveal my top ten favorite movie kisses.

They are in no specific order because to try and rank them from one to ten would take quite a bit of time to ponder. J They are simply the ones that have stood out in my mind as romantic and sexy. Maybe it’s due to the characters who are doing the kissing or possibly even the way the actors conveyed a depth of emotion that sparked something inside my own mind and heart. 

Without further ado, here’s my top ten favorite movie kisses…

Princess Bride- Buttercup and Wesley

Casablanca- Rick and Ilsa

Gone With the Wind- Rhett and Scarlett

Titanic- Jack and Rose

Romeo and Juliet- Romeo and Juliet (1996 version with DiCaprio and Danes)

The Quiet Man- Sean and Mary

Empire Strikes Back- Han and Leia

Spiderman- Peter and Mary Jane

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers- Arwen and Aragorn

Lady and the Tramp- Lady and Tramp

So what's your favorite movie kiss? Or are you like me and have a hard time choosing? :) To continue with yesterday’s theme I'm going to share the first kiss between Willa and Schyler, my hero and heroine from Shooting Stars. 

Blurb: Dr. Wilhemina Brock prides herself on her ability to keep her private life with her husband Schyler just that – private. But when Keenan, the new nurse on staff, catches a glimpse of her tramp stamp, she’s coerced into spilling the story behind it, revealing how she broke the student-professor boundaries and hooked her husband. Dreams N Fantasies, Amazon

First Kiss between Willa and Schy:

His eyes dropped to her lips. Before she fully realized his intent, he

leaned in.

The first brush of his lips sent shivers down her spine. He cupped her cheek, and tilting

his head, he licked across the seam of her mouth.

Her lips parted on a half gasp, half moan. Heat pooled in her core as he thrust his

tongue inside. She melted against him, clutching her hands in his usual button-down shirt.

She briefly thought about unbuttoning it so she could feel his skin underneath... Wanting…no

needing more. She desperately wished they weren't in such a public place.

When he finally pulled back, she was surprised to see they were alone at the table.

She glanced around to see that her friends had moved away to give them a little privacy.

"Umm…" She didn't know what to say.

"Well, that's not exactly what a guy wants to hear after the first kiss." He brushed her

bottom lip with his thumb. "But, I'll forgive you if you'll go on a date with me."

Willa ran her tongue over where he'd just caressed. She met his gaze when she passed

over the tip of his finger and sucked the tip into her mouth. She let go of it and said, "It's a

deal."

****

Leave a comment telling me your favorite movie kiss for a chance to win a copy of Shooting Stars. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for a sneak peak of a first kiss from my soon to be released Falling Star (which is the sequel to Shooting Stars)!!!

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay

With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop: First Kisses

Welcome to the first day of the With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

First Kisses

It’s one of the most anticipated moments in everyone’s lives once they begin to notice the opposite sex. Many actually practice doing it on a pillow, the back of their hand or even in a mirror. If you haven’t already guessed, I’m talking about that all important first kiss.

That moment everyone dreams about from the time they read about it in fairy tales where the prince wakes the sleeping princess with the kiss of true love. It’s also the moment that we dread out of worry because of our inexperience. Some become so nervous they bungle their first attempt or chicken out altogether.

Even as we get older dreaming about kissing that special someone can be both stimulating and frightening. So what is it about kissing that inspires our dreams and ignites our fears all at the same time?

According to a list of fun facts about kissing I read states that the lips are 100 times more sensitive than the tips of your fingers. It went further to say that not even the genitals have as much sensitivity as the lips. Wow! Talk about putting the pressure on.

As a romance writer, kisses between my characters are some of the most important scenes I construct. So many emotions and sensations can be expressed through how they kiss one another.  When writing the first kiss between two or even three characters can be a pivotal moment when one or the other realizes their relationship has moved into new territory. 

In honor of first kisses, I’d like to share with you over the next few days the first kisses between some of my characters. What do you think is so important about a first kiss? Leave a comment and tell me what you find so compelling about the first kisses in romance novels for a chance to win a copy of Branded Hearts.

Here’s the first kiss between the heroines, Maggie and Jasmyn, from Branded Hearts urged on by our hero, Alex.

Alex's tongue traced the outer rim of her ear before he answered. "I

want to show you what Branded is all about, Maggie. Let us show

you how good it can feel to be dominated." He nipped the shell of her

ear.

"Is that what you were demonstrating yesterday in the simulation

room?"

Alex laughed softly. "That was barely a taste of the world I live in,

Mags." He nipped her ear again.

* * * *

She felt him nod his head slightly just before Jas' mouth touched

hers. She let out a breath she didn't even know she'd been holding.

Jas took advantage of it and stuck the tip of her tongue into her mouth.

Jas pulled her flush against her, tilting her head to gain better

access.

A small moan escaped Maggie's lips.

Jas thrust her tongue inside her mouth, expertly tracing the contours

then sucking on her tongue. Her hands cupped Maggie's face,

caressing along her throat and exposed shoulders.

A shudder racked her at the touch of Jas' long, silky fingertips

brushing the tops of her breasts, before finally cupping one through

the fabric. Jas pinched a nipple through the fabric, twisting gently to

lengthen the slight pain until it blossomed into a new type of pleasure

Maggie had never experienced; one she somehow knew she'd always

craved.

She cried out.

She was so wrapped up in what the other woman was making her

feel that she didn't realize that Alex had slipped his hand around her

other side and pushed it between them until she felt him pinch both of

their nipples at the same time.

Jas cried out, the sound lost within Maggie's mouth, and she arched

her back, pushing her breast more firmly against Maggie and into

Alex's hand.

She felt his lips glide up her neck again.

This time he bit into her flesh lightly, the sensations making her

squirm between them. They were sitting so close to her that every

time she moved she bumped into one or the other only to be pushed in

the opposite direction.

She felt Alex's hand on her knee lightly drawing a swirling pattern.

"You see how good it can feel, Maggie. And that's just a drop in

the bucket compared to the pleasure we can bring you in a private

setting." His hand inched up on her thigh, sliding under the edge her

skirt.

She pulled away from Jas but before she could protest, Alex

removed his hand and pushed her toward Jasmyn.

Click here to return to the Blog Hop Event Page

Thank you for stopping by. Don't forget to leave a comment. I hope you'll join me tomorrow. I'll be featuring another first kiss. To return to the With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop Event Page click on the link below the picture. 

Until we meet again where passion breathes...

Shay

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. 

#

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. 

#

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...