Merry Christmas!!!

HUGE GIVEAWAY GOING ON NOW!!

HUGE giveaway going on right now!!!  Me and the girls at Sweet N Steamy Romance are giving away the ultimate romance reader basket including books and gifts from nine authors!!  Gifts include signed paperbacks, swag, treats, an Amazon gift card and a Kindle Fire! 

Don't miss out!  Enter today!!  http://gvwy.io/vraodrd

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!

Oh my goodness!  I am so excited about today that I can barely stand it!!  "I'll Be There" is finally available and Amazon still has it on sale for $2.80!!  CRAZY!!!

So what does a girl do on book release day?  Sadly, it's not glamorous.  I still had to get up and drive my son to school in the rain (Gasp!).  Now I'm going to visit all the blogs and sites that are promoting me today and then I'm meeting up with some friends for lunch and going to Barnes & Noble to see my baby on the shelf.  Maybe I'll wear a tiara.  It's not definite - depends on the weather - but it's always a possibility.  Silly, yes? 

My husband and son are a little less than impressed at this point in my career.  I'll still make dinner tonight - even though I'd prefer takeout.  It's almost as if they don't understand how emotional a day like this is.  I put so much time and effort into creating this story and now everyone is going to start reading it.  Some may love it, some may hate it.  And either way, it's an emotional roller coaster for me!  You'd think they'd just approach with caution, put the Chinese food takeout down in front of me and then slowly walk away.  They should have learned this by now!!  Clearly I'm not being obvious enough in my attempts to train them.  There should at least be some sort of cake!!  Tomorrow's my birthday so I'll make up for it then.  :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!!  And if you get the chance, take advantage of the sale price on "I'll Be There" and get caught up on the Montgomery family!!

Interview with I Love Romance Novels Online

This was a super-fun interview to do!  In celebration of the release - tomorrow - of "I'll Be There", I spent some time talking about it and what's coming up for the holiday season!!

Sunday Funday!!

Sunday Funday

Sneak Peek into: I'll Be There

Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 6

Available: December 1, 2015

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon: http://goo.gl/SR0ftU

 I'll Be There is book 6 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is the story of Zach Montgomery and Gabriella Martine, who we have met in previous books. The sparks between the have always been electric, but both have done their best to ignore them. When Zach is injured the only one that will put up with his surly moods is Gabby. Will he finally realize that she is perfect for him, or will he push her so far away that he will never get her back?

 

 

Excerpt

Tell me you don’t want me. Or this. And I’ll stop. But if you do, say something now so we can take this inside and I can finally do all of the things I’ve been fantasizing about for five damn years.”

 

Slowly, Gabriella licked her lips as she lowered her hands and smoothed her skirt back into place. Keeping her expression neutral, she almost felt bad when she saw the hint of vulnerability in Zach’s eyes. Then she reached for his hand and led him from the room. With a knowing smile she said, “I guess it’s a good thing we have all day then. I’d imagine we’ll need it to cover those five years.”

 

Zach groaned with relief. “Sweetheart, one day won’t be nearly enough.”

 

She was nearly out of breath and wished to God Zach would say…something. Anything. He continued to stare at her—hard. It was almost too much to bear. It was enough to make her squirm. Then, without a word, he reached out and banded an arm around her waist and hauled her roughly against him. Her eyes went wide and she gasped right before his lips came crashing down on hers.

 

It was pointless to fight it, or pretend she wasn’t interested. Her arms went around him, her hands raking into his hair. It was hard to say who was in control because they were both so out of control. 

 

Zach pushed her back up against the kitchen counter, his entire body pressed intimately against hers. Gabriella slowly rubbed against him and smiled at the feel of his hardened length against her belly. Of course it didn’t matter what part of him was pressed against her, Zach Montgomery was solid muscle from head to toe and she wanted every inch of him whether she was pissed at him or not.

 

Gabriella purred as Zach’s hands began to wander and reached down to the hem of her skirt and began to lift it. He had it up around her thighs when he finally raised his head. They were both breathing hard as he looked down into her glazed eyes. “Damn, I’m ready to take you right here,” he growled. “Tell me you don’t want me. Or this. And I’ll stop. But if you do, say something now so we can take this inside and I can finally do all of the things I’ve been fantasizing about for five damn years.”

 

Slowly, Gabriella licked her lips as she lowered her hands and smoothed her skirt back into place. Keeping her expression neutral, she almost felt bad when she saw the hint of vulnerability in Zach’s eyes. Then she reached for his hand and led him from the room. With a knowing smile she said, “I guess it’s a good thing we have all day then. I’d imagine we’ll need it to cover those five years.”

 

Zach groaned with relief. “Sweetheart, one day won’t be nearly enough.”

What are we thankful for?

Isn't that the big question - particularly this week?  Thanksgiving time comes around and all of a sudden we are bombarded with that question - what are you thankful for?  And the sad thing is - some of us only remember to be thankful at this time of year. 

Now I'll admit, I used to be like that - thankful only for a short time.  I learned a very valuable lesson when I was pregnant with my younger son.  I had struggled with infertility for almost 8 years and was pretty certain that we'd be a one-child family.  And I was okay with it.  Well, I was talking with a friend one day and she offered to pray with me.  When we were done - and this was over the phone - she said to me, "You're going to have your baby".  I wasn't so certain.

Two months later, I was pregnant.  I was over the moon and just felt like I was walking on a cloud.  Then that sixth week of pregnancy hit and all the happiness and joy I had been feeling was gone.  I was sick all day every day.  I felt like I was going to die daily.  I called my friend one afternoon and told her how awful I felt and she said "You need to remember to praise even in the bad times".  At the time, I wanted to smack her.  But I did.  Every time I felt ill, I said a prayer of thanks because I still had my baby and that in itself was reason to be thankful.

Let me tell you, the rest of that pregnancy was beyond a nightmare.  People around town that I was going to church with still talk about it.  But the thing I learned was how being thankful DAILY really helped.  You don't always have to be thankful for the big things, it's the little things that really make a difference. 

So what am I thankful for?
I am thankful for the cooler weather. 
I am thankful for my health.  It's been a rough year!
I am thankful for my husband and sons.  They make me laugh and smile daily.
I am thankful for my sweet little pug.  Her cuteness makes me smile.
I am thankful that I have a job that I love and that it's the one I always wanted.
I am thankful that there is food on the table.
I am thankful for my friends.
I am thankful for the creativity God has given me.
I am thankful for readers who enjoy my books.
I am thankful for the ability to know that I don't have to please everyone.

I could go on, but finding ten things every day to be thankful for seemed like a good place to start.  So what about you?  What are you thankful for?

Sunday Funday!!

🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆 Sunday Funday 🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆
Sneak Peek into: I'll Be There
Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 6
Available: December 1, 2015

🎆🎆 Pre-Order Links: 🎆🎆
Amazon: http://goo.gl/SR0ftU

I'll Be There is book 6 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is the story of Zach Montgomery and Gabriella Martine, who we have met in previous books. The sparks between the have always been electric, but both have done their best to ignore them. When Zach is injured the only one that will put up with his surly moods is Gabby. Will he finally realize that she is perfect for him, or will he push her so far away that he will never get her back?

🎆🎆 Excerpt 🎆🎆

“Seems Uncle William has fashioned himself as some sort of matchmaker. He thinks he’s responsible for Lucas, Jason and Mac finding wives, and when that wasn’t enough he went on to take credit for Ryder and Casey, and me and Selena. It was only a matter of time before he honed in on you and Gabriella.”

“Oh, and don’t forget about me and Summer,” Ethan said, joining the group.

“So…wait a minute. Are you trying to say you’re taking responsibility for me and Gabriella getting together?” Zach asked with a chuckle.

“Guilty as charged!” William said, giving Zach a friendly pat on the back. “Oh, I knew the two of you were already well on your way but you just needed a little…nudge. It’s what I do. I don’t claim to fully find the right person for you young men, but I do pay attention to the women around you and get you to start paying attention. It’s really quite simple.”

“He’s taking credit again, isn’t he?” Ryder asked as he sauntered over.

Zach and Gabriella stood there and chuckled at all of the good-natured ribbing going on between William and his nephews. Actually, Gabriella’s was more of a nervous chuckle because she was afraid Zach was going to get upset by the things being said. She knew how much he hated family interference in any capacity and there was a good chance he’d be offended by William stating that he had orchestrated anything between them.

“Don’t get me wrong,” William was saying, “I may not have been as hands on as I was with my boys, but you were all still challenging!”

“Well I for one am thankful,” Zach said as he raised his glass. “And I’d like to propose a toast to my uncle.” He looked at his brothers and Ethan and everyone else in the room until they all had a glass in their hand. “Thank you for giving us all the nudge that we needed.”

“Here, here!” was the chant throughout the room and Gabriella noticed tears shining in William’s eyes. Unable to help herself, she stepped forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered.

FREE BOOK!!!

TODAY ONLY!!

"Meant for You" - book 5 in the Montgomery family series - is FREE today!!  So excited!!  This is Summer Montgomery's story - the only girl in her branch of the family - and she has been crushing hard on Ethan Reed for years.  The only problem?  He's her older brother Zach's best friend.  What is a girl to do??

Get "Meant for You" today and find out!  http://amzn.to/1MQVust

Happy Reading!!

Sunday Funday!!

Sunday Funday

Sneak Peek into: I'll Be There

Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 6

Available: December 1, 2015

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon: http://goo.gl/SR0ftU

I'll Be There is book 6 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is the story of Zach Montgomery and Gabriella Martine, who we have met in previous books. The sparks between the have always been electric, but both have done their best to ignore them. When Zach is injured the only one that will put up with his surly moods is Gabby. Will he finally realize that she is perfect for him, or will he push her so far away that he will never get her back?

Excerpt  

 

Taking her by the hand, Zach pulled her from the doorway and shut the door. Then he led her to the bedroom and closed that door as well. Turning her toward him, he wrapped her in his arms and then…words simply eluded him. 

 

She was perfect.

 

She was everything.

 

She had given him his life back in a million different ways and he had no idea how he could ever even begin to thank her. There was only one thing he could do, and that was love her. Slowly, thoroughly, and completely.

 

He caressed her face and smiled when her head fell back and the small purr escaped from her lips. He gently lowered his hands to her waist and simply held them there for a moment before reaching up and slipping his hands under her sweater to take it off.

“Mmm…Zach,” she whispered, her head still back, her eyes closed.

 

The sweater hit the floor as Zach began to rain kisses along Gabriella’s jawline, her throat, her shoulders. His hands anchored her hips as he took his time exploring her with his lips. When he felt her trying to move against him and get closer, his hands moved around and cupped her bottom before reaching for the zipper on her skirt and slowly lowering it.

 

“You’re killing me,” she moaned but let him keep doing what he was doing. When her skirt pooled around her feet, she lifted her feet and kicked it aside without stepping out of Zach’s grasp. 

 

It was a sight Zach knew he’d never tire of—Gabriella in nothing but lace and high heels. There wasn’t a pinup model alive who could hold a candle to her. He finally allowed his hands to wander—to skim up and down her back, her bottom, to reach up and gently knead her breasts—all while his mouth, his lips, his tongue did their own exploration.

 

Up until now—until Gabriella—Zach didn’t understand all the fuss about foreplay. He loved sex, but it was about the end goal. Right here and now, watching how Gabriella reacted to his touch, seeing how her skin flushed, hearing her purr and moan and have her breath quicken—well, that was quickly becoming addictive. He released her abruptly and swung her up into his arms—a move he wouldn’t have considered a few weeks ago—and carried her over to the bed.

 

And then stood back and marveled at how glorious she looked sprawled across the king-sized mattress. Her eyes were glazed and she reached out a hand to him. She may have whispered his name but the blood was pounding in his ears and he couldn’t be sure. Swiftly he kicked off his shoes, undressed, and stretched out beside her to resume his explorations.

 

Gabriella cried out his name again and again and each time it filled Zach with pleasure to know he could do this for her. And when she cried out how she couldn’t wait any longer and she needed him—all of him—he happily obliged. 

 

And later, with nothing but moonlight shining through the window, Zach realized he finally had what he’d always wanted. For years he’d done extreme sports and kept challenging himself in search of the elusive something that would make him feel complete.

 

Kissing the top of Gabriella’s head as she slept curled up beside him, Zach knew he actually had everything he could ever want all along—Gabriella.

 

Sunday Funday!!

Sunday Funday

Sneak Peek into: I'll Be There
Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 6
Available: December 1, 2015

Pre-Order Links:
Amazon: http://goo.gl/SR0ftU

I'll Be There is book 6 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is the story of Zach Montgomery and Gabriella Martine, who we have met in previous books. The sparks between the have always been electric, but both have done their best to ignore them. When Zach is injured the only one that will put up with his surly moods is Gabby. Will he finally realize that she is perfect for him, or will he push her so far away that he will never get her back?

Excerpt
Now she went completely still. A minute later she placed a hand on his chest and gently pushed as she sat up. “What time is it?”

Zach cursed himself. Now he’d done it. Woke her up and now she was going to want to leave. They’d argue because he’d tell her to stay and it was going to ruin everything. “Late.”

Gabriella looked around the room. “Why…why didn’t you just go to bed? I appreciate the blanket—” she looked down, “—and the pillow, but you should have just gone to bed. I would have been fine out here.”

Sitting up, Zach caressed her cheek. “If things were different, I would have carried you to bed with me.” He didn’t bother to explain, he knew she’d understand. 

“Oh.”

“If I couldn’t bring you in there with me, then I wanted to stay out here with you.”

“Oh.”

Then she became silent again and Zach had to wonder what was going on in her mind. Was she angry with him for staying with her? Would she feel like he’d taken advantage of the situation? It was too dark to fully read her expression and the silence was starting to kill him. He was just about to question her, when she spoke.
“I’m too sleepy to drive all the way home.”

“No one’s telling you to leave.” Even in the dimness of the room, he could see her shy smile. His hand continued to cup the soft skin of her face. “I want you to stay.”
Gabriella stared at him for what seemed like an eternity. “This couch isn’t very big.”

And there went all the blood again. “There are four beds here for you to choose from.” Zach stood carefully and held out a hand to her. She looked up at him with those big blue eyes and he was lost. It was everything he wanted and everything he was afraid of. 

If there was one thing he prided himself on, it was his honesty. Well, at least recently. He’d been honest with Gabriella in a way he’d never been with anyone else before. He stepped in close, so they were touching. “There’s nothing I want more than to take you to my bed and make love to you.”

Her eyes went a little wide. “But…?” she whispered.

“I…I’m not…” he cleared his throat again, “I’m not sure…I can. Not yet.” He waited for a look or a word or a sound of pity to come out of her. But it didn’t. 

Gently, Gabriella squeezed his hand and turned to lead him from the room. At the door to his bedroom she stopped. “I hope you like to sleep in a little on the weekends.” It was all she said before releasing his hand and walking into the darkness of his bedroom.

Zach heard the rustling of the comforter and sheets being pulled back. Heard the soft sounds the mattress made when someone climbed on. Hell, he even heard what the whisper of fabric slipping from skin to floor.

And then he heard her sigh. “Zach?”

Slowly, he stepped into the room and shut the door. When he was standing beside the bed, he pulled his t-shirt over his head. And hesitated.

“Will you hold me like you were doing out on the couch?”

“Yes.”

She let out a sleepy purr and Zach climbed in and pulled the blankets over him. Reaching over, he guided her into his arms. It felt…right. Gabriella’s lips gently grazed his chest before she relaxed against him with a whispered ‘good night’.

Indeed.