I Need Your Vote!

onlyscandalwilldo-41Hello to all my fans and followers of Jenna’s Journal.  I’m currently in the fight of my life and I need your help!  Well, it’s maybe not that dire, but…

In case you haven’t heard, my book trailer for Only Scandal Will Do is entered in You Gotta Read’s video contest for January.  The trailer is absolutely fabulous–I’m really not biased, it’s a wonderful depiction of the book.  Created by the incredibly talented Danielle Fine, the trailer seamlessly combines the story elements with the period look of 1761 and highlights it with the stirring music of Kevin McCloud.  You can view it above on the page Scandal Trailer.

Currently, my trailer is in second place with 131 votes.  The lead video has 159 votes.  Voting closes on Sunday, January 27th.

If you haven’t already voted, please vote for me!  I really want to win this one and would appreciate it so much.  Here is the link to You Gotta Read.  Scandal is #6 on the roster.

Thank you all.  Keep your fingers crossed! 🙂

Posted in Book Trailers, Contests, On Only Scandal Will Do, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Horny Hump Day 01/23/13: Only Scandal Will Do: A Bloom of Heat

WARNING:  MATERIAL NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18!

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

Participating authors in Horny Hump Day post three sentences from their published works or WIP, hot like a firecracker! LOL

Today I’ve got three sentences from Only Scandal Will Do.  The fabulous trailer for Scandal, created by Danielle Fine is up for best video for January at You Gotta Read.  Please stop by and vote for me by clicking here.  And cross your fingers for me!  Hope you enjoy!

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These three are from early in the novel, when the masked Duncan is seducing the woman he’s purchased for the night in a brothel auction.

The gauzy fabric might as well not be there, for she could feel every lash of his circling tongue. The crest of her nipple contracted into a small, tight bud and another streak of fire leaped straight to the vulnerable core between her thighs. An unexpected bloom of heat raced through her and she moaned louder.

onlyscandalwilldo-41

Please check out the Horny Hump Day blog site for the other sites on the hop and go visit the other hot authors.   The site also gives the details of how to sign up for next week if you’d like to play with us. 🙂

Thanks so much for visiting the Journal once more for Horny Hump Day!

Posted in Blog Hops, On As Long As You're Mine, On Horny Hump Day, On Works in Progress, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Falling For A Clone ~ Jessica Subject and Made For Her

JES-MFH-300x450

Thank you so much, Jenna, for having me on your blog, again! It’s such a pleasure to be here.

Hello everyone! It’s been a whirlwind week for me, as I had two books release from Decadent Publishing last week. One is a new adult contemporary romance, called Accidental Romance. And the other, Made For Her, is a sci-fi military erotic romance.

In many of my other stories, I’ve dealt with the idea of falling in love with aliens. But Made For Her is the first story I wrote about a clone. In the story, Onatria Labs has been contracted by the government to create clones for the military, who are desperate for people to enlist. The clones are not considered human, but property of the military who are trained then used as they see fit.

While there are anarchy groups who object to cloning, the government ploughs on. All is well until Colonel Mikayla Jones objects to a clone in her new squadron. She had no problem training them before, but none of them looked like her late husband.

Even after she refuses to train the new squadron, the clone of Daniel, Dare, seeks her out for extra training sessions, making it impossible for Mikayla to separate her heart from her job. But she has to. Not only is he below her rank, he is a clone. And she could never fall for a clone.

Made For Her Blurb:

After terrorists murder the love of her life, Colonel Mikayla Jones trains squadron after squadron of the clones he brought to life, to take to the skies. When she discovers a young clone of her husband in her newest class, her world spins out of control. How can she command the look-a-like when she can’t help but yearn for him to fill an ache in her heart?

Dare was created to be the best. As the first Daniel clone to leave Onatria labs, he needs to prove he is more than just a DNA copy. To do that, he must rely on the wife of the man who donated his genes. But when she refuses to train him, Dare faces discharge and returning to the labs. Can he convince Colonel Jones to finish his training and find a way into her bed? Or will long kept secrets unhinge the entire clone project?

Buy Links:

Amazon (Canada/US/UK) | Decadent Publishing All Romance | Barnes&Noblemore

Excerpt for Made For Her:

JES-MFH-300x450Colonel Jones eyed each one of her new cadets, examining the neatness of their uniforms, while inspecting for signs of stress or over-anxiousness. She’d never seen the telltale muscle twitches or sweats in any previous clones, only in human-borns, but she had to look for them anyway.

The first generation of clones didn’t live long enough to become cadets. Their hearts gave out within a year after incubation. But the scientists at Onatria had plowed on, utilizing more of Daniel’s research, speeding up the aging process with hormones to create the perfect generation she saw before her.

She’d had female clones in previous squadrons, but the government filled the one in front of her with testosterone-driven masculinity. If she’d been younger, she’d have a hard time concentrating. But her days of crushes and fantasies were long over. She was devoted to serving her country and planet, and nothing else.

That didn’t stop her from going out on the town for a stress-relieving fuck from time to time. But these young men in front of her appeared so virile, sure to last longer than any of her previous sexual partners.

No. As junior officers, and more importantly, as clones, they were off limits.

Inspecting them gave her the opportunity to check out more than their fatigues and tics, but if they knew her thoughts, they’d walk all over her. She’d be done.

They were of varying nationalities, builds, and heights, all fit to serve the planet. None of the cadets revealed any indication he would put the lives of others in jeopardy. This will be an easy squadron, every one of them ready to fly in a matter of weeks.

She reached the last cadet and froze. Her stomach clenched. No, they couldn’t have!

She pivoted on her heel and rushed off the tarmac, leaving the squad without an instructor.

Author Bio:

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from her readers.

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Authorgraph

Giveaway!!

For your chance to WIN swag from my new releases and a PDF copy of Last Minute Customers, leave a comment answering the following question: If you met a clone of someone you loved, would you be able to love them, or would you automatically put up a wall? Winner will be notified by email on January 26, 2013. Good luck!

Thank you so much for being my guest today, Jessica.  It is always a pleasure to have you here.  Wonderful post and a gorgeous cover.  Many happy sales!

Don’t forget to comment, everyone!

Posted in Book Spotlights, Guest Bloggers, Promotion, Reader's Corner | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Six Sentence Sunday–01/20/13 Betrothal ~ “Anticipation”

Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday!  I’m still sharing my medieval novella, Betrothal.

Betrothal with Logo

This snippet continues from where I left off yesterday on Sweet Saturday Sample, which you can read here.  Geoffrey has just given Alyse some more unexpected news about the coming joust:  she is to ride in the procession and he wants her to choose the knight and lady of the Round Table for them to portray.  Alyse is speechless at this honor and feeling better disposed toward Geoffrey now.

“I will await your decision with anticipation.” He drawled the final word, leaning closer to her again.

She caught her breath. Would he dare?

His gaze held hers until his lips hovered mere inches away from her mouth and she began to tremble. “’Til evening then.” 

Thanks so much for visiting me today.

Now pop over to the Six Sentence Sunday list and check out the rest of the snippets.  See you there!

Posted in Betrothal, Cover Art, On Six Sentence Sunday, On Time Enough to Love, On Works in Progress, Promotion, WIP | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

Sweet Saturday Sample: 01/19/13 Betrothal ~ “Speechless Again”

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder.

With a three-day weekend, it is certainly a Sweet Saturday for me. Here’s another offering from my medieval trilogy WIP, Time Enough To Love, Book I – Betrothal.  

Betrothal with Logo

This series is set in England and France in 1348.  Part 1, Betrothal, takes place at the court of King Edward III.

This excerpt comes just after my last post on Six Sentence Sunday.  Geoffrey and Alyse are talking just after the banns for their marriage have been read for the first time.  Geoffrey has just told her of a great honor that has been bestowed on her. If you’d like last Saturday’s excerpt, it’s here.  If you’d like the next six sentences, they are here.  Today, we start with the next sentence, and yet another honor to come.

To think she owed such an honor to the man she would soon call husband, that he had asked the king himself to grant the favor, made her heart beat an unsteady march in her chest. She parted her lips to thank him when he swooped forward, secured her chin in his hand and kissed her. Strangely soft, yet very sweet, his lips sent a searing bolt straight to her stomach, setting it afire. After moments that seemed an eternity, his mouth slackened on hers as though he would release her. Then he flicked the tip of his tongue across her lips, testing for another invitation.

With a gasp she jumped back, drawing a chuckle from Geoffrey, who had the grace to glance around to make sure they had not been observed. “Be not discomfited, sweet. We are safe in our conversation.”

“’Twas not in our conversation that I feared harm, my lord.” So difficult to sound outraged.  She could still feel his lips on hers

“Come, my lady, ’twas only courtly affection I did show you.” Geoffrey’s words might have been believable if not for the wicked grin that accompanied them. “And I have one more piece of news for you ere I go.” She took a step back, and Geoffrey laughed softly.

“Nay, ’tis only that I would have you decide which knight of the Round Table you would accompany to the field. You may choose any save Arthur or Lancelot, for those are reserved for King Edward and the Prince of Wales.”

He had struck her speechless again. To allow her to choose their roles…The enormity of the task soaked into her.  They would be judged by the king and queen in part on how appropriately she chose. Choose wrong and the entire court would whisper scandal. She could not fail Geoffrey when he had entrusted her with this critical decision.

“You do me great honor by your request, my lord,” she said finally, dipping him a curtsy. Such trust in her demanded nothing less than her utmost respect for him.

He stood expectantly, his eyes sparkling as he awaited her decision. Names from the tales she had read with her Uncle Antoine as a young child whirled through her head. But the choice for such an honored position should not be rushed. After a pause, Alyse twisted her hands and lifted her gaze to him.

“Need you an answer this instant, Sir Geoffrey?”

He raised his eyebrows then shook his head. “I think not, my lady. I believe that we will be placed in the procession according to my rank as knight, not by the rank of the Knights of the Round Table. Therefore, I need give the name only to secure our clothing for the procession. Tomorrow should suffice.”

“Then if I may, I will give you my choice this evening at supper that I may weigh the possibilities during the afternoon. I would have my choice portray both a knight of your chivalrous bent and a lady worthy of such a champion.” He laughed, and her heart beat faster.

Will he be so bold as to steal another kiss?

Does she even doubt it? LOL  Alyse may be thawing a trifle, don’t you think?

I hope you enjoyed this latest sample from  Betrothal.   And be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.

Posted in Betrothal, On Sweet Saturday Sample, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion, WIP | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Horny Hump Day 01/16/13: As Long As You’re Mine:

WARNING:  MATERIAL NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18!

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

Participating authors in Horny Hump Day post three sentences from their published works or WIP, hot like a firecracker! LOL

Today I’ve got three sentences from another WIP, As Long As You’re Mine.  I’m now querying this one to agents.  So cross your fingers for me!  Hope you enjoy! 

In this snippet, Samantha is pleasuring Rafe with a hand-job in order to “soften” him up so he’ll let her stay in England rather than accompany him to Virginia.

He groaned—the sweetest sound she’d heard tonight. She took a deep breath, summoned her courage and stroked back up toward the tip, with two fingers this time. Sensations abounded—the softness of his skin wrapped around a steel rod, the musky scent she’d noticed after they’d spent themselves last night and the sound of her husband’s pleasure—a symphony of small groans and moans that indicated what he liked and what he liked better as she relaxed and began to experiment with tension and rhythm.

Please check out the Horny Hump Day blog site for the other sites on the hop and go visit the other hot authors.   The site also gives the details of how to sign up for next week if you’d like to play with us. 🙂

Thanks so much for visiting the Journal once more for Horny Hump Day!

Posted in Blog Hops, On As Long As You're Mine, On Horny Hump Day, On Works in Progress, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Spotlight: Cade by Margery Scott

Howdy, everyone.  Have I got a treat for you today.  Friend and author Margery Scott’s newest western romance is out and I’ve got a piece of it to show off to you today.

Cade 600x900 72dpiThe cover alone makes your mouth water!  As for what’s inside…Here, take a peek:

Blurb for Cade:

When revenge leads Cade Morgan to hold up a stagecoach and kidnap his childhood friend, Isabella Morrow, he discovers his feelings for her are stronger than ever. He suspects Bella feels the same way, so why is she intent on marrying another man? And  what kind of future can he offer her now that he’s wanted by the law?

Excerpt for Cade:

Colorado, 1861

Isabella Morrow closed her eyes, blocking out the landscape outside the stagecoach and wishing it could be that easy to shut out her travelling companion. She’d been listening to the drone of the man’s voice all morning until she was ready to open the door and hurl herself onto the trail outside just to escape.

Through hooded lids, she cast a glance at him. Benjamin Wick. Slim to the point of appearing gaunt, he’d always made her uncomfortable. Why her father had sent him of all people to escort her home, she couldn’t fathom. She’d always thought man was arrogant, overbearing, and downright insufferable. Now that she’d been forced to endure his company for the past few days, she was sure of it. He reminded her of death. Why, she couldn’t say, but something about his appearance, his demeanor, even his voice, made her think about dying. Yet her father trusted him implicitly.

He sat opposite her, his long legs stretched out, one arm slung across the back of the seat. “Please stop talking, Mr. Wick,” she begged, “I have a dreadful headache. I’d like to try to rest for a little while.”

“Ah, headaches,” he murmured, quieter now, but still rattling on. “Now when I served under General Zachary Taylor back in … when was that? Oh, yes, back at the Battle of Monterrey, I had a headache almost every day. Made me violently ill, too—”

“Mr. Wick! Please. Stop.”

His eyes narrowed. He glared at her, but at least he stopped talking. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes again, hoping this time the silence would last for more than thirty seconds.

She heard him muttering, but although she couldn’t quite make out his words, it sounded like, “Dobson’s going to have his hands full with that one.”

At the mention of her future husband’s name, a shudder swept over her. Edward was almost twice her age, his body gone to flab and his hair already thinning. Which would be a little easier to overlook if he didn’t have the personality of a lizard.

She never would have agreed to this marriage if it wasn’t so important to her father. Every day, he pressured her, reminding her that she wasn’t getting any younger, that he wanted an heir to take over the ranch one day. She understood. He’d built the ranch from a small patch of dirt into one of the wealthiest properties in the state. He’d raised her alone, and given her everything she’d ever wanted. How could she refuse the only thing he’d ever asked of her?

But how could marry a man she didn’t even like?

For the past several days while she was caring for her ailing aunt in Colorado Springs, she’d fantasized about disappearing instead of going home. But her father would be frantic with worry, which certainly wouldn’t help the heart condition he’d recently developed.  No, she couldn’t do that to him.

Then, as if her father had been able to read her mind, Mr. Wick had arrived on her aunt’s doorstep to escort her back.

And now, here she was, only a few miles from Silverdale, only a few days from a wedding she dreaded.

“What the blazes–?”

Isabella’s eyes flew open at Mr. Wick’s outburst and the sudden jostling of the stage as it bounced over the uneven ground. Straightening, she grabbed the strap dangling from the roof of the coach. “What is it, Mr. Wick?”

“Look for yourself,” he said. “Outlaws.”

Isabella’s heart lurched in her chest. Outlaws! Killers! The ridiculous thought popped into her head that at least if she was murdered on her way home, she wouldn’t have to marry Edward.

She peered through the window, squinting through the clouds of dust at three figures on horseback approaching from behind.

Mr. Wick drew a gun out of his holster and pointed it out the window. He took aim at one of the riders bearing down on them. Before he had a chance to fire, he let out a howl and the gun  flew out of his hand. He pulled his arm back inside the coach and cradled it against his chest.

“Are you hurt?” Isabella asked, her eyes widening.

“No,” he replied. “He shot the gun right out of my hand.”

Other shots rang out. Loud voices carried through the open window, and the stage stopped with a jolt.

“Do something, Mr. Wick!”

“What the devil do you expect me to do without a gun, Isabella?”

Suddenly, the door flew open, crashing against the side of the stage. A tall, broad-shouldered man filled the small space, his nose and mouth hidden by a black bandanna. A pale blue shirt clung to his wide chest and disappeared into the waist of black canvas trousers. A few strands of sun-streaked chestnut hair had escaped from the dust-covered hat covering his head and curled on his forehead. Eyes the color of fine whiskey and ringed by dark lashes met hers.

Isabella scrambled as far back into the corner of the coach as she could. Her pulse skittered as her gaze slid from the outlaw’s face to the six-shooter in his hand. “What … what do you want …?”

Cade is the first of Margery’s The Morgans of Rocky Ridge series, so there are more goodies to come just like this one.

Cade is available at Amazon, Kobo, and Smashwords.  Go on and grab a copy.  You’ll be glad you did!

 

 

Posted in Book Spotlights, Guest Bloggers, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Six Sentence Sunday–01/13/13 Betrothal ~ “An Honor”

Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday!  I’m working on my medieval novella, Betrothal, so I thought I’d share six sentences of that this week.

Betrothal with Logo

This snippet continues from where I left off yesterday on Sweet Saturday Sample, which you can read here.  Geoffrey has just given Alyse some unexpected news about the coming joust and the part she is to play in itAn.

Alyse’s mouth dropped open and a thrill coursed through her body. “But I am only Princess Joanna’s attendant, Sir Geoffrey. Usually such honors are reserved for the Queen’s and Princess Isabella’s ladies, or the Duchesses and Countesses in the Royal Family. Why did they choose me?”

“Because I am to be one of the knights, and I begged a boon of the king to allow you to be my lady.”

She stared at him in shock, almost unbelieving, though she knew he would not lie about such a thing. 

Thanks so much for visiting me today.  

Now pop over to the Six Sentence Sunday list and check out the rest of the snippets.  See you there!

Posted in Betrothal, Cover Art, On Only Scandal Will Do, On Six Sentence Sunday, On Time Enough to Love, On Works in Progress, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Sweet Saturday Sample Returns! Betrothal ~ “News”

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder.

It’s so good to be back with Sweet Saturday. Here’s another post from my medieval trilogy WIP, Time Enough To Love.  Over Christmas I got the edits back and am busily revising.  I’m hoping release day is going to come sooner rather than later.

Betrothal with Logo

This series is set in England and France in 1348.  Part 1, Betrothal, takes place at the court of King Edward III.

This excerpt comes just after my last post from this novella.  Geoffrey and Alyse are talking just after the banns for their marriage have been read for the first time.  If you’d like to read the excerpt that leads up to this point, it’s here.

He kissed her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm as he led her away from the chapel toward Princess Joanna’s apartments. Although loath to admit it, his words, as well as his attentions, had soothed her ruffled feelings. She smiled inwardly to think that his regard for her ran so deep. A quick peek at him from lowered lids showed her his countenance bore a smile as well. They seemed to have come far in but two days’ time.

As they approached the door of the Princess’s chamber, he turned and took both her hands. “My lady, I have news that I would share with you.”

He seemed both solemn and excited by whatever message he had brought. It had to be news indeed, for she had heard nothing, either last night or this morning, that would touch upon them. This mystery so bemused her that she almost failed to see him lean down, bringing his mouth mere inches from hers. She gasped, snatched her hands from his and ducked around him before he could draw closer.

“Would you share something else besides news, Sir Geoffrey?”

“That I would, little maid.” He spun around before she could back away. He darted his hand out to secure hers again and raised it to his mouth. “It seems, however, that I must be content with this.” He grazed her skin with his lips, skimming over the surface of her flesh with a floating touch that made her shiver. “And with my news. You know the king called for a joust, a Round Table, at Windsor next week to celebrate the princess’s betrothal?”

Alyse nodded and frowned. The mere thought of jousting set her stomach to churning. But his statement was hardly news; the court had been preparing for the tournaments for weeks.

“It has been decreed by His Majesty that on the first day the festivities will begin with a procession of ladies and knights of King Arthur’s court, starting at the Tower of London and winding through the town out to the lists. There are to be twenty-five knights on the king’s side who will joust and fight in a pas d’armes. So there needs be twenty-five ladies as well, to escort them to the field.”

She nodded again. “Princess Joanna rides in this procession.” Her part in the festivities had been determined last week. Did he have anything truly new to impart?

“You have been chosen to be one of the ladies.”

Quite an honor for a young girl.  Will Alyse be properly appreciative of this?  Maybe next week… 🙂

I hope you enjoyed this latest sample from  Betrothal.   And be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.

Posted in Betrothal, On Sweet Saturday Sample, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Romance The Write Way

Wanna do something exciting this February?  Want to kick-start your writing for the new year?  Well, if you live within driving distance of Virginia, you can do Romance the Write Way!

crwlogo

Just about a month from now, the Chesapeake Romance Writers chapter of RWA is hosting a writer’s conference, Romance the Write Way.  It’s a one day conference, but we’ve packed in a ton of stuff–workshops, pitch appointments, 1st Pages critique, book signings,

The Rudy Statuette

The Rudy Statuette

a raffle, swag table, and the announcement of the winner of our “Finish the Damn Book”
Contest, and the first recipient of The Rudy.

The Romance the Write Way Conference will be held on February 9 at the Beth Sholom Village in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Our Conference hotel is the Holiday Inn & Suites in Norfolk (but only about 3 miles from the conference site) and they are offering suites to our participants at a fantastically low rate.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

The conference registration of $25.00 for RWA members/$35.00 for non-RWA members includes:

  • a workshop on writing, with historical romance writer, Laurin Wittig
  • a panel of editors on publishing in today’s market
  • a workshop on self-publishing
  • lunch
  • the option of a 10 minute pitch session with one of four acquiring editors
  • early bird registrants may submit your 1st 25 lines of a manuscript for critique by our editors.

For details, check out the Chesapeake Romance Writers website and this article in The Daily Press.  It should be an exciting day and I would so love to meet you!

We are located in the southwest corner of Virginia, but we’re an easy drive from North Carolina, Maryland and the DC area, and even Pennsylvania isn’t too far (we have a chapter member who lives there!).  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments section below.

Here’s hoping to see you there!

Posted in Chesapeake Romance Writers, Conferences, On Writing, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments