Romance Excerpts Only Blog

Night Shift
Rating: Total e-burning
Genre: M/M contemporary romantic suspense
Length: Short story
Available now!

Tracking a murderer on the streets of Chicago, two strong-willed detectives must work together on the case - as well as they get along in the bedroom.

Homicide Detective Cullen Ryder is worried. Someone is brazenly killing drug pushers on the grimy backstreets of Chicago. When the monthly murders jump to weekly and draw the focus of the chief of police, the Chicago P.D. starts jumping, too. The chief assigns a special task force to the case, much to Ryder's chagrin.

Handsome, dark-skinned Trevor Stone has testosterone and attitude to spare. As the head of the task force, he marches in giving orders right and left. Ryder doesn't like being bossed around, but he does like Stone. Maybe a little too much. When he discovers the feelings are mutual and the men fall into bed, neither is sure where the relationship is headed. Both know one thing - there's a murderer on the loose whom they need to catch, before he catches up with them.

Read an excerpt or purchase here

WANTED: A killer!

HUNTING WITH THE WOLF
Romona Hilliger
Author Romantic Suspense

Filled with stunning twists and surprises, this story
keeps the pulse racing while challenging the emotions...

HUNTING WITH THE WOLF
Rating v. sensual
Never in her wildest dreams did the young beauty, Megan Ducass expect be caught up in a hunt for a killer while on holiday in Australia’s Outback.
As he lived and breathed, the maverick, with fire in his eyes and a physique like mortal sin, has sworn to avenge his wife’s rape and murder. But Buck Daniel, discovers that scouring the Australian Outback with revenge on his mind, isn’t that easy. Hitting dead-ends and false information, keeps him just one step behind his quarry. And then, out of nowhere, he’s confronted with a young woman in distress.
Megan is in desperate need of bush photographs to tie up a contract of a lifetime. But securing a ride through the bush proves difficult, until Buck reluctantly, answers her plea for help.
But travelling with Buck is a dangerous business. Their campsite is invaded by two thugs on motorbikes, out to warn him off, none too gently. Meg teams up with Buck, and her surprising self-defence skills, win Buck’s admiration.
But in the bargain, Meg is hurt, and in his gentle care, she senses the throb of desire running through him, well aware of the answering cry within herself. Dark secrets and stormy passions surrender to love.

Tortured with guilt, Buck believes he’s betrayed his wife’s memory and the quirk of fate that has brought them together now threatens to tear them apart.
With his wife’s murder avenged and Meg armed with her photographs, they are both ready to leave and go their separate ways.

They now, face the fight of their lives – the fight within themselves to acknowledge their love for each other. But will Buck’s past forever, haunt him? Or will the love he sees in Meg’s eyes prove the more powerful…
Available
BLADE PUBLISHING. ORG
www.bladepublishing.org

TRAILER
.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UDTnh9FtAg


Author website
www.thewaterfront.net.au/romona
Author YouTube
http://au.youtube.com/user/snowstarZ2
http://twitter.com/snowstars

The Phaze Rocks: Streets of Fire novellas have come to print! Three books, Dancing in the Dark, Born to Run and Hungry Heart are now available in one paperback book.

Here's the scoop on these m/m suspense novellas:

Three friends, who met in the police academy twenty years ago, have drinks every other Friday night. They share a love of Springsteen and an appreciation for guys in tight jeans.

Dancing in the Dark: Detective Nick D'Amato has always been content with his lack-of-commitment love life. William, the new man in his life, has Nick rethinking his priorities. A growing stack of dead bodies has the police running in circles and sends Nick and Will into a nightmare that could change their lives forever.

Born to Run: Detective Sam Nielson is a casual, no-strings guy. He loves his job in the South Bronx, but is caught off guard when handsome detective Bobby Rodriguez transfers in. Their fast brewing passion makes concentrating on work difficult, especially tracking the murderer who's now after them.

Hungry Heart: Captain Gil Gates is a proud, uniformed member of the NYPD. When Gil's spotless record is jeopardized, Channel Nine's Brian Knight steps in to follow the story. Gil sees in Brian something the department can't give him--if only he can clear his name and solve a double homicide while he's at it.

If you'd like to read an excerpt or get more information, you can find the print book and three ebook novellas here.

Talk to you again soon!

~ Jenna Byrnes

Page Scorching Erotic Romance

http://www.jennabyrnes.com/

http://jennabyrnes.blogspot.com/

Find out how a sexy fire fighter handles a spunky redhead hell bent on driving him crazy!

Logan Knight is staying with his grandfather while recuperating from an accident that killed his two best friends. He needs time to heal his body and his heart from the tragedy. Libby Turner is on a hell bent mission to keep her grandmother out of an assisted living facility, even if it means masquerading as a seventy-year-old woman.

From the moment the two meet sparks fly, and they can't keep their hands off each other. The only problem is, neither is looking for a relationship, so they come up with an outrageous solution. Can they stick to their plan of keeping their relationship strictly sexual, or do they give in to the overwhelming love that threatens to claim their hearts?

Excerpt -
Libby swallowed nervously. If he rejected her now she’d leave the park and never return. However, what she saw on Logan’s expression wasn’t rejection. As he took his fill looking at her, she let her eyes roam down to the prominent bulge in his pants. My…it was a wonder it didn’t burst right through his zipper! Without realizing what she was doing she reached forward and touched him to see if it was as hard as it appeared, sliding a naughty fingertip down the pulsing length. He was made of steel. And she couldn’t wait to have him inside her.

He sucked in his breath, his penis jumping strongly beneath her finger. His heavy lidded gaze slid down Libby’s exposed body in a slow, heated caress that made her heart pound and her pulse race. She felt her breasts swelling for attention, her nipples tingling almost painfully with excitement. Lord, it was a wonder she remained on her feet she was so turned on. And all they’d done was kiss so far.

What was Logan waiting for? Libby was all but asking him to make love to her. Didn’t he recognize the signs? Surely he wasn’t a virgin!

"Ah, Logan?" she questioned after a moment, curious as to why he hadn’t made his move yet when she expected him to sweep her into his arms and ravish her. His eyes swung lazily up to hers, the question in them apparent. "Ah, you’ve been with a woman before, haven’t you?" Her finger continued to toy with his erection. "Because if you haven’t, I can show you what to do with this."

The crooked grin spreading slowly across his face was sexy as sin, and Libby felt the heat of embarrassment crawl up her neck and span across her cheeks when she realized her mistake. All at once the wolfish look in his eyes was backed up with a predatory gleam, and his intentions became very clear.

He was about to make a meal of her.

"I thought I told you Libby, I like it slow and easy." His words reminded her of what he’d said that night at the bar. Before she was prepared he wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled her up against him. She was the one catching her breath now, feeling the ridge of his desire against her. "And looking is the best part," he finished in a voice of smooth velvet.

Tory Richards


Hi friends,

I just want to take this time to let you know that I'm in the process of getting my October newsletter ready. If you haven't joined my monthly newsletter yet I hope you'll give it some thought. It's filled with never before posted excerpts of my books, birthday announcements (if you added yours), monthly blog winner, guest authors that have posted during the month, upcoming events, and much more.

Christmas is right around the corner and some lucky reader (1) will be the recipient of a $25.00 egift certificate to Bath and Body. This contest prize will only be offered to readers who have joined my newsletter. There will be other goodies given away, too!

The link to join my newsletter is located on my blog where it says join my yahoo group. Hope to see you there!

Romance with an Attitude Blog

The heart wants what it wants…

Bronc riders Mason and Clay have shared both good times and bad as best friends, but they never expected to share their boss’s daughter, April. Can two friends love one woman, body and soul, without it destroying them?

The heart wants what it wants. For April that means not choosing between the two cowboys she loves, no matter how wrong it may seem inviting them both into her bed.

Life sends the three lovers in opposite directions, but a devastating injury brings them all together again. Their relationship now is no less bittersweet—or complicated—than before. Once severed, old ties leave scars that are tough to heal…

This book has been previously published and has been revised and expanded from its original release.

Warning: When you choose a man who thinks 8 seconds is a long time, perhaps you need two of them. In other words: Watch out, this book contains hot ménage sex with two cowboys and the woman they love.

Excerpt (G)

“You sure you’re ready for this, Clay?”

“Yes.” Clay flipped the sheet and blanket back.

Clay may be ready, but Mason wasn’t. “But you only woke up like twenty-four hours ago. Don’t you want to rest some more?”

“I slept all damn day. The doc said things looked good. My parents finally went back to the hotel for the night. We’re doing this now, Mason.”

Mason sighed. He knew Clay when he was determined. He would do this with or without help. Not knowing whether he was being a good friend or an idiot who was helping him do more damage to himself, Mason let Clay wrap one arm around his neck while he supported Clay’s weight with an arm on his waist. The fact Clay had the power to swing his legs over the edge of the bed was encouraging. If he were paralyzed, or if there was spinal cord damage, that would have been impossible. Right? Although, what the hell did he know, he was no doctor.

“Clay, are you sure you want to try this?”

“Mason. Shut up and start walking.” A bead of sweat glistened on Clay’s brow.

“You’re in pain. I can tell.”

“You're gonna be in pain if you don’t get me across this room.”

With a groan of frustration, Mason took one step forward and watched as Clay’s foot moved to follow. Clay’s weight shifted to the front foot and Mason decided that constituted one full step.

“See, that’s great. You took a step. Now let’s get you back to bed.”

Clay ignored him and took another step, then another, before he reached out and grabbed the end of the bed frame, rattling the metal as he leaned on it heavily. Mason stood behind him, braced and ready to catch him if he fell. But he didn’t. His face was bright red, his jaw set firm, but Clay stood under his own power.

Letting out a shaky laugh, he turned his head to look at Mason. “All right. It’s not so bad. You can get me back to bed now.”

Releasing a huge breath of relief, Mason resisted the urge to hoist him up and bodily put him back in bed, and instead moved under his arm again, letting Clay lean on him as he worked his way onto the mattress.

Clay looked up and over Mason’s shoulder and his breath caught in his throat.

Concerned, Mason leaned in. “What’s wrong? Shit, I knew this was a bad idea.”

When no answer came, he followed Clay’s gaze and there in the doorway was none other than April. A day late, but there nonetheless.

Seeing her standing in front of him after all these years took his breath away. She looked the same, but somehow totally different. Her skin was paler and more porcelain and her hair darker than he’d ever seen it, as if she hadn’t been out in the sun in a long time. Her face had been pretty before, but now she had a mature, sophisticated beauty that came either from getting older, or the killer red dress that revealed far too much of her body for Mason’s liking.

Tears in her eyes, she took one step forward into the room and then hesitated. When neither of them said a word, she spoke. “The nurse said I could come in. She said she recognized me but I didn’t know what she meant.”

She twisted her fingers together nervously. A few years ago Mason would have gone to her and held her until that frightened, uncertain look left her face. Now, he didn’t move, except to glance at Clay, who also had been strangely quiet. Mason wondered about that.

Looking more uncomfortable with each passing moment, April kept talking. “My father said you were in a coma.”

Finally, Clay spoke. “I woke up.”

Is the name of the little dog in Wicked Desire. A constant source of annoyance to the hero, but Maggie's best friend. And the reason she and Matt meet for the first time. It's kind of funny when a 6 foot 4 inch motorcycle cop knocks on the heroine's door with her tiny poodle clinging to the ankle of his leather boot. Of course he doesn't think it's funny. Maggie's sense of humor gets the best of her and lands her in deep do do.

You'll find an animal in almost all of my books. I love animals, have three furry kitties of my own and grew up with dogs, hamsters, birds, and fish. I think they bring a lot to a story. They can be fun, funny and dangerous. I like to make my animals mischievous.

I got the name Dammit from my Uncle Ted. Years ago I recall him talking about his dog. He explained he gave the dog that name because he was always getting into trouble and Uncle Ted would constantly yell out, dammit! The name just stuck and after a while the dog responded to that name. I thought it was a cute story.

Wicked Desire was my second torrid romance with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid and can be purchased as a download or print copy. The excerpt posted below has never been posted.

“Can you reach the towline?”

She glanced down at the rope trailing in the water and bent over the side to reach for it. It was farther than she thought. The rope remained just beyond her fingertips. She stretched as far as she could, until the muscles at the back of her legs tightened as she balanced on the very tips of her toes. Oh no! Her eyes rounded when her feet slipped on the deck and she felt herself going over the side headfirst.

“Matt!” She tried to straighten.

“I’ve got you.” Maggie felt his body flush against her backside. His hands took hold of her waist and he pulled her back and held her against him. “Now try,” he said against her ear. A delicious shiver traveled down her spine. Instant heat enveloped Maggie at their close proximity. She tried to ignore their intimate position and focus on the towline but that was impossible.

Matt was too virile and she wanted him too much. All she could think about was her bottom being flush against the front of him. She was finally able to clutch the rope and stood up to find she was trapped between Matt and the boat, and he wasn’t moving. His large hands slid down to her hips in a slow caress. Maggie sucked in her breath and closed her eyes, feeling his arousal strengthen. For a moment they seemed frozen, attuned to each other and nothing else. Matt’s breath was hot against the back of her neck, teasing the fine hairs there.

“Mathew…” The gentle breeze carried his name away, over the water and beyond. Maggie was ready to make love to him there and now, in the bottom of the boat or standing up for anyone to see. Thinking about him day and night had primed her for loving. The breeze nearly blew Matt’s low groan away before she heard it. Suddenly, and without warning, he leaned forward and began to nibble the skin beneath Maggie’s ear. She shivered violently, arching against him with reaction. His open mouth traveled over her neck and collarbone where he’d nudged her shirt aside.

“You know what it does to me when you say my name like that?” he rasped against her flesh, forcing her against the boat. His hands slowly moved away from her hips, gliding up beneath her shirt, his intentions obvious. Maggie held her breath as they paused beneath her breasts, before he turned the palms up and cupped them. A burst of liquid fire pooled between her legs. A soft cry escaped through her parted lips.

“Mathew,” she whispered again, smiling. Tempting him to lose control if she could.

He shuddered against her. “God.you feel good. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind, Maggie.” He moved his body in a way that wasn’t obvious except to her. “I haven’t been able to forget how good you feel when I’m sliding into your body. How good it feels when your muscles tighten around me with wet heat. I think you’ve put a spell on me. I don’t want this, yet I’ve never wanted anything more.”

Maggie grinned. It didn’t feel that way to her. “No willpower?”

“Apparently not where you’re concerned.”

Maggie twisted her head to look at him; without warning he swooped down and covered her mouth with his.

Romance with an Attitude Blog
Tory Richards

A Hearing Heart is available now at Liquid Silver Books. It's a very special story with an isolated hero who earns the love of a woman brave enough to accept his differences.

The heart conveys messages beyond what ears can hear.

After the death of her fiancé, Catherine Johnson, a New York schoolteacher in 1902, travels to Nebraska to teach in a one-room school and escape her sad memories. One afternoon, violence erupts in the sleepy town. Catherine saves deaf stable hand, Jim Kinney from torture by drunken thugs.

As she takes charge of his education, teaching him to read and sign, attraction grows between them. The warmth and humor in this silent man transcends the need for speech and his eyes tell her all she needs to know about his feelings for her. But the obstacles of class difference and the stigma of his handicap are almost insurmountable barriers to their growing attachment.

Will Catherine flaunt society’s rules and allow herself to love again? Can Jim make his way out of poverty as a deaf man in a hearing world? And together will they beat the corrupt robber baron who has a stranglehold on the town? Romance, love and sensuality abound in this jam-packed, old-fashioned tale with plenty of heart and some steaming hot sex.

Excerpt:
King was restive, sensing Jim’s tension as he stroked the currycomb over the horse’s sweaty side. The animal whickered and shifted away from the rough brushing, rolling an eye as he looked back at his groomer.

Jim moved in front of him, patting King’s nose and staring into his eyes, letting him know everything was all right. Nothing’s wrong. Good boy. He mentally soothed the horse, then went to fetch him a measure of oats.

Tossing the currycomb into the tack box, he stood for a moment, staring out the stable doors, trying to get his temper back under control. He was a fool to have imagined something blossoming between Miss Johnson and him. Seeing her in Van Hausen’s buggy reminded him that a beautiful woman like her could choose a suitor from among all the eligible bachelors in town. But a stab of pure rage had twisted his gut as he watched Van Hausen help her from the seat, her hand clasped in his.

Jim’s jaw tightened now as he envisioned plowing his fist into the man’s prissy face. His hands clenched from imagining the satisfying feel of flesh and bone under his knuckles and blood spraying from Van Hausen’s split lip. Then what? Catherine would smile, step over Van Hausen’s unconscious body, and walk into Jim’s arms, lifting her face for a kiss? Hah!

Striding to the grain bin to get King’s feed, he berated himself for his stupid fantasies. It was one thing to save money and plan for a better life, a future in which he might be part or even sole owner of a livery stable. It was another to add a wife and family into the picture. That could never happen for him. Especially not with a woman like Catherine Johnson, who was so far above him he’d need a ladder to face her eye to eye. He’d been stupid letting himself dream of it. Now he’d better corral his emotions with reason, keep them under control and locked deep inside him.

His fingers were stiff as they gripped the handle of the scoop and plunged it into the oats. Days of picking and husking corn had swollen the joints of his fingers, and his skin was cracked and sore.

A flicker of movement caught his attention and Jim looked toward the stable doors. Catherine stood silhouetted against the orange glow of the late afternoon sun. The light turned her golden hair into a halo around her head and shone through the thin fabric of her blouse so he could see her arms under the big, puffed sleeves. The sight of the actual shape of her body sent desire stabbing through him. Every bit of him yearned to touch her. For a second, Jim froze with the oat scoop halfway from the bin, then he dropped it and walked toward her.

She smiled a greeting and spoke, but he couldn’t read her lips with her face in shadow against the dazzling sun. He stopped in front of her, his head full of the things he wanted to say to her, but all he could do was return her smile.

Walking out of the light and into the dimness of the stable, she stared past him at the stalls. “That’s not the truth. I’m not just out for a walk. I wanted to see you to apologize.”

Jim waited for her to explain.

She met his gaze again. “I should have said hello to you. I’m sorry. Charles Van Hausen merely took me riding today, but it didn’t mean anything. I’m not interested ... that is, I don’t...” Her cheeks were bright pink. She rubbed her hand over one of them and said something else he couldn’t catch although his attention was riveted on her lips. She was speaking too fast and he couldn’t concentrate on her words because of his fascination with her mouth.

“Anyway, I really missed our lessons this week. How are you doing? Have you been able to study at all?”

He’d barely had time to sleep over the past week let alone open one of the textbooks. Shaking his head, he gestured at the horses, then mimed the act of corn husking.

When she saw the state of his hands, her eyes widened. She captured one of them in her own soft hands. Her mouth made a round “O” of exclamation and she frowned.

Jim held perfectly still while she stroked her fingers over his callused palms and the half-healed cuts on his swollen fingers. She seized his other hand, holding them both. His breath stopped.

“You need ointment on these. Do you have any?”

He hesitated, then nodded. The liniment he applied to the horses’ sore joints would have to serve because there was no way he was going to pass up the chance to have her treat his hands.

She followed him to the tack room at the back of the building and accepted the bottle he offered. “This?” She frowned as she read the label. “You don’t have any corn huskers’ lotion?”

He shook his head.

Uncapping the bottle, she poured a measure of the thick liquid into her cupped palm and rubbed her hands together before reaching for his. The warm ointment soaked into his rough flesh as she rubbed it into his hands. The alcohol burned on the open wounds, but he didn’t flinch, not wanting her to quit. The pads of her thumbs massaged his palm and each finger, sending lines of fire from his hand straight to his groin. His cock stiffened. His breathing was shallow and his body tense. He mustn’t let her know how her touch affected him or she’d stop what she was doing. Keeping his eyes trained on her moving hands, he willed his erection to stop filling the front of his trousers with a telltale bulge.

Catherine continued to work the slick ointment into every chapped bit of skin. She reached for his other hand and did the same. After a bit, her fingers slowed and stopped until she was just holding his hand.

He accepted that for a moment, happy simply to have his hands cradled in hers, but then he dared to curl his fingers around hers. He ran his index finger up and down her thumb, a light, teasing stroke over her soft skin.

She didn’t pull away.

Jim looked from their joined hands to her eyes. They were wide, the pupils big and black, ringed with just a hint of blue. Her lips parted and her cheeks were flushed.

Gripping her hand more tightly, he leaned toward her. Only a foot of space separated them. Heat radiated from her body and her warm breath brushed his face. He paused a few inches away, eyes trained on her lips, giving her time to reject his advance. When she didn’t, he inclined his head and covered her mouth with his.

Her lips were yielding and warm, so warm he wanted to sigh in relief. This was what he’d been waiting for, the thing he’d craved for so long. Just this, a kiss, something most people took for granted, but which was a milestone in his life. Having sex with Shirley was nothing compared to his mouth moving gently against Catherine’s soft lips. His eyes were closed, but he felt her murmur against his mouth.

Afraid it was an objection and she’d pull away, he slid his hands around her back, holding her close. He angled his head to kiss her harder, dared to sweep his tongue across her lips. Catherine’s mouth opened wider, perhaps to gasp in protest, and he took advantage of the opening to kiss her more deeply.

He slid his hands up her back, ensuring himself of the solid reality of her body. Beneath the smooth texture of her blouse was her heated flesh. How he wished he could feel her skin naked. His heart thundered when her tongue tentatively moved against his and her hands slid up his chest and gripped his shirt. She wasn’t pulling away, but reaching out for him too.

Catherine’s warm, supple body filling his arms and pressing against his was the most wonderful thing he’d ever felt. With his eyes closed, he could concentrate all his senses on the smell and feel of her. Jim breathed in her sweet fragrance and tasted mint on her tongue. He needed to breathe, but was afraid to stop kissing her for even a second. She might come to her senses and stop this.

Stroking the length of her back, he cupped her neck and fingered the curls at her nape. The strands were as silky as he’d imagined they would be, as soft and delicate as milkweed fluff. He longed to plunge his fingers into her hair and pull it from its pins. How would she look with her hair tumbled long and lustrous in a golden waterfall down her back?

Jim abandoned her mouth to kiss the curve of her cheek and her jawbone. Her high collar stopped him from nuzzling her neck or throat. He had to be content with grazing along the line of her jaw then returning to her lips.

Between their bodies, his cock strained toward her. He felt the warmth of her body against his erection even through all the layers of fabric--his pants, her skirt and petticoats. She must feel the unyielding bulge of his cock pressing into her, but she gave no sign nor did she move away. Instead, she moved even closer, kissing and kissing him in the quiet, dimness of the tack room. The scent of leather and lilacs filled the air.

Hands touching and caressing, lips and tongues searching and exploring, hot bodies pressed close together, it was more than he’d dreamed possible ... and it wasn’t nearly enough.

He wanted to be inside her so badly, he thrust against her. His body begged for hers even while his mind told him it could never happen. Catherine was not Shirley. She was a proper young woman who would never lie with some poor stable hand and destroy her virtue. He couldn’t have her, but he could hold her as long as she’d let him.

A tremor ran through her body. Her hands left his back, moving to his chest and pushing. He broke off the kiss. His eyes opened and searched hers.

She gazed back at him, her mouth open, gasping for air. Her white blouse rose and fell with each panting breath. She shook her head. “No. We can’t. I’m sorry.”

His gut twisted. He wanted to shout, “Why? Why can I never have what I want--just once?” Jim stepped forward, denying her words or pretending not to understand. He pulled her against him again, wrapping her in his arms and covering her mouth. He’d kiss her until she forgot her protests.

Setting: Gettysburg, PA during the Civil War

Captain Jack Montgomery is home on leave, recovering from malaria contracted in Andersonville Prison.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the kitchen he found Lila and Beatrice making bread. Both ladies were up to their elbows in flour.

Dressed comfortably in loose trousers and a soft flannel shirt that was not even tucked into his waistband, Jack was at home in the tiny kitchen. This was his house, his and Lila’s, but it was still hard not to think of it as Mrs. Sutton’s house. But she wasn’t even Mrs. Sutton any longer, she was now Mrs. Quinn Markley, and she lived next door.

Rubbing his bristly chin, he considered shaving the beard later. He plopped into a chair. “Hello, Ladies.”

Two bright smiles, looking very much alike in two different faces, beamed back at him.

“Feeling better, son?” Beatrice spoke first.

Jack nodded. “Hungry.”

“I’ll take care of that!” His mother-in-law turned away, wiping her hands on her apron.

Lila continued to knead the bread, just smiling at him, a little moisture shimmering in her eyes. She had flour on her forehead and nose, and a big white swath of it across the front of her. A little bit of the white stuff was sticking in her dark hair as well. She was breathtaking!

He watched her hands working the dough, pressing it in, picking it up, and patting it down again. Then she rolled a lump of dough between her palms. It grew long and longer. With a deft touch, she took one end and gently pulled it. Jack swallowed. Fascinated, he watched her pour a little oil in her hands. When she worked the oil all over the dough, his senses went on overload and he got as hard as a rock.

“W-what are you making, sweetheart?” he croaked.

“The oil makes the crust a little bit crisper when it bakes. The longer shape lets it bake quicker too. You said you were hungry.”

“Yes. I am.”

Beatrice placed a cup of coffee and bowl of lumpy stew in front of him. The aroma from both made his mouth water even more. Picking up the cup, he immediately scalded his tongue with the hot brew.

In front of him, Lila’s hands continued their work, molding and teasing the bread dough so that it took the form and shape she wanted. “When it rises, you need to work it until it goes down again,” she told him. He almost choked on a bite of carrot.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed this tidbit. Here are the links to purchase LILA'S VOW, if you liked it.

~Diane

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Lilas-Vow-Diane-Wylie/dp/0981989608/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243988881&sr=1-3

Barnes and Noble.com

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lilas-Vow/Diane-Wylie/e/9780981989600/?itm=3

Target.com
http://www.target.com/Lilas-Vow-Wylie-Diane/dp/0981989608/sr=1-3/qid=1245528624/ref=sr_1_3/191-3519706-8268641?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-books&frombrowse=0&index=books&rh=k%3ADiane%20Wylie&page=1