Houston’s Robo Brothel—Not!! #Androids #SciFiRomance #FantasyRomance @LNightingale

By Linda Nightingale (Guest Blogger)

Houston, Texas to host the first sex doll brothel in America? NO, said the Mayor, that single syllable resounding around this country. Immediately, the city council amended an existing ordinance to forbid business patrons from engaging in sexual congress with inanimate objects.

Not so the rest of the world.

At Aura Dolls, a love doll brothel in Toronto, clients pay $120 an hour plus $90 per half-hour to do whatever they desire to the six dolls on staff. Aura’s employees ‘freshen up’ the dolls between appointments, taking various safety precautions. The Toronto brothel is not the first of its kind. Similar enterprises can be found in Barcelona, Moscow, and Turin, Italy.

I was surprised that the Toronto firm chose Houston of all places to open its first brothel in the United States. I lived in Houston for 14 yeas, and it is a rather traditional and not the most liberal city. The brothel seemed destined to fail in its endeavor to open its doors.

In addition to the religious, legal, and moral issues, the sex doll brothel industry faces certain other disadvantages like the high cost of their ‘prostitutes’ themselves. A customized Real Doll costs about $6,000. Then we have the legal ramifications. The love doll brothels exist in a somewhat gray area. They don’t violate most state prostitution laws, but the intense moral opposition to sex work in the US will probably constitute an almost insurmountable barrier to robot sex workers..

Since the 1970s when Ben Skora created his human-like robot, Americans have been fearful of being replaced by robots. In some industries, this has proven true. There’s a humanlike newscaster and Sophia has appeared before the UN. These are androids as opposed to love dolls. Will this be true for sex workers or will flesh-and-blood win over silicones? A man in England—with his wife’s permission!—married his love doll.

Oddly enough, both of my Tomorrow's Angels books are set in Houston. Go figure. I’m psychic!

There has always been a demand for prostitutes. That fact is unlikely to change. Some of the opposition has even said it is degrading to machines. Not to get into robot rights, but does degrading machines compare to human women being degraded in similar circumstances?

I found out about the love dolls when a friend in Texas messaged me on Facebook. She said only, “Love For Sale.” (the title of the first book in the Tomorrow’s Angels series). Love For Sale and my new release, Life for Sale, star sentient androids indistinguishable from human who’re programmed as loving companions. The Special Editions created by Mayfair Electronics have emotions and react like a human. They are intelligent and charming. They’re everything you could want in a lover, but would you be creeped out?

Blurb

Mayfair Electronics has created life.

But four of their Special Editions—sentient androids indistinguishable from human—have escaped. Rebel, Christian Aguillard and his owner, March, are on the run, but they have a bigger problem than his creator's plan to destroy him. They've discovered that one of the renegades has suffered a dangerous malfunction, threatening them with more than just exposure.

Trapped on a cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic, March and Christian must stop the insane robot before someone else dies. All the evidence points to March being the killer's next victim.

Excerpt

“Why are you here? To spout more nonsense?” Spitting mad, Monica reared up in her enemy’s face.

“Not at all.” March’s hand flashed, almost too rapidly for Monica to see, and came down hard below her nose in a Judo-like attack.

Shocked and in pain, she stumbled back, switching modes as she pushed off the bed. “That’s it, whore. You’re a dead woman.”

“I don’t think so,” her rival gritted out, hands braced on her hips, her expression as cold and hard as her mediocre brown eyes. She shook her head. “Look, Monica, I know you’re aware of your actions. I’m going to give you a chance. You must deactivate until we can safely transport you to Dr. Cross for testing. Surely, you know something is wrong.”

“As they say in the films, you and whose army?” She squared her shoulders, preparing to strike without notice. “I didn’t do anything to that bloody dog. I didn’t do anything to you, fool.”

“You didn’t mention Anne.” The other woman seized Monica’s arm. “What did you do to Anne?”

Claws out, Monica lunged. March darted beneath her guard, stabbing at a spot beneath her left earlobe. Monica shoved her back. “Looking for my off switch, fool? It’s well hidden, like where Ms. Goodie Two Shoes wouldn’t even think about going.”

Her insane human rival stood at the locked door, her stance as much as saying to leave Monica would have to get past her. No prob. She stalked toward her rival, murder in her eyes. March didn’t move. When Monica threw a punch at her eye, she moved by the gods.

The American whore lurched back, crossing her arms across her face, anticipating Monica’s next attack. Forearm struck forearm. A human bone should break, but March stood her ground, her limb intact. She recovered too quickly, dealing Monica a hard blow beneath her cheekbone, barely missing her eye, slamming her back against the wall.

“I don’t know what you are, March Morgan,” she sneered. “But it’s not going to save your butt.”

“No, but I am.” Looking like an avenging angel, Christian—in a Houston t-shirt and khaki shorts, his long hair disheveled—had somehow appeared behind March without either of them hearing.

Praise for Linda Nightingales’ Life for Sale

Linda Nightingale’s Life for Sale takes the characters from Love for Sale and sets them on a dangerous adventure for these androids posing as human. After fleeing at the end of the first book, they are trying to hide from the watchful eye of Mayfair, but decide a reunion is in order. One of the four, however, is suffering a murderous malfunction. The resulting story is not so much a murder mystery as it is a study of a chaotic mind, albeit lab created, yet eerily human in its madness. Nightingale has seamlessly made the unbelievable believable for the reader with a totally unexpected, but thoroughly satisfying ending to this duet. Imaginative premise, well developed characters and an insight into a mind gone wrong make this a great read…S. Hutchinson

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D2Z5XLC

About Love for Sale – first book in the Tomorrow’s Angels series

In Love for Sale, Mayfair Electronics company, in black and white, offers “love for sale”. Mayfair has engineered sentient androids indistinguishable from humans. March Morgan flies to England and meets the man she has been searching for her entire life. Christian requires no programming to love March at first sight, but her past and his future soon threaten their happiness—and their lives.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XCZ6EVY

About the Author

  

After 14 years in Texas, Linda returned home to her roots in the South Carolina red clay. She has eight published novels, four of which are available from Audible.com in audio. For many years, she bred, trained and showed the magnificent Andalusian horses. So, she’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer. She’s won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers’ Magnolia Award for Excellence, the Raven Award, and the SARA Merritt. In real life, she was a legal assistant.

Author Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LNightingale

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaNightingaleAuthor

Web Site: http://www.lindanightingale.com – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.

Blog: https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/ - Lots of interesting guests & prizes

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839311.Linda_Nightingale

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Nightingale/e/B005OSOJ0U

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/linda-nightingale

I’m no murderer, but I do kill people - #Texas #songwriting #steamyromance @TalkinTwang

 
By Ann Everett (Guest Blogger)

Early in every writer’s career, they’re told to write what you know. For me, I need more information before I can make good use of that advice.

Even though I write romance, I’ve written stories that include murder, a sociopath, and an alcoholic. Personally, I have no first-hand experience with any of those. I’ve certainly never killed anyone… though in reality, I’ve wanted to knock my husband upside his head from time to time. Especially when he tells me how to drive!

The beauty of fiction is I can commit murder without actually doing it! I did that in my first book. I killed off a character based on a person I didn’t like. Her identity has never been revealed, but I know who she is—and that’s enough.

The definition of a sociopath is “disorder which manifests in extreme anti-social behavior and lack of conscience. The closest I’ve come to that is eating chocolate in secret without a single regret!

As for knowing the burden of alcoholism, I’ve never even been drunk. I know—hard to believe, but it’s the truth. I’m somewhat of a control freak and the thought of not being in charge of all my faculties scares the pee-pee out of me. Hey, there are cameras everywhere. I don’t want to wake up the next morning and find a post of me doing drunk karaoke, getting a tattoo on my ass, or having announced I waxed Mount Vagina!

I’ve also had characters who were chicken farmers, Texas Rangers (the lawmen type, not the baseball player types), a bartender, horse trainer, Tarot card reader, and auctioneer, just to name a few. You guessed it, I know nothing about any of those!

The great thing about writing is you can find real people who do know about those things. And, there’s always Google. In the first New Adult Romance I published, TELL ME A SECRET, main character, Maggie even googles a blow job. Later, her love interest, Jace, is thrilled that she did.

I’m lucky to have a medical doctor and police detective who are willing to answer any question I have concerning medical issues or police procedure. They are a real treasure because it’s important to get the facts right. If you think you can get away with misinformation, you’re wrong. A reader out there somewhere will be an expert on just about every subject and call you out on them!

Write what you know works in some instances. Like locations and descriptions. I don’t write about New York City, even though I’ve been there. All of my stories take place in Texas because I’ve lived here all of my life. We talk funny, but I steer away from overusing y’all, fixin’ to, ain’t, and bless your heart, along with other things we say in everyday life. Readers get tired of that—even Texans!

I like to use Texas names for characters. Rayann, Jay Roy, Synola, Saint, (yeah, I had that name in my family long before Kanye and Kim came up with it.) And I generally use real locations like Austin, Houston, Lubbock, Brownsboro (iddy-biddy town where I grew up) Tyler, Athens, etc. However, in my last book, and the one about to release, I made up a name so I wouldn’t have to be exact concerning its whereabouts. Plus, I kind of like Bluebird, Texas. It gave me the opportunity to build the town anyway I wanted. I like it so much, I decided to write a series of companion books tied together by that small- town location.

The love scenes in my books are steamy and can be a bit graphic. One reader recently wrote and asked—"how do you know all the explicit details for some scenes?”

As much as my husband likes to take credit, imagination is so much better than real life. Heck, that’s why we read romance. The answer to her question is—research. I do a lot by reading magazine articles and internet searches.

As readers, do you like to read what you know? Or, do you like reading about new places or fictional locations? Is the setting even important? Do the character’s occupations play any role in you choosing a book?

Leave a comment for a chance to win a “Come Fly With me to Bluebird, Texas” tee-shirt. Sizes large and extra-large available. This prize is only for US residents. Out of country winners will receive a digital eBook of both Bluebird, Texas Romance Novels Chirp, and True, my latest release. 

 

Sometimes it takes losing everything…

True Shanahan must be the unluckiest woman in the world. Either that or she’s cursed. After another failed relationship, True leaves Dallas with a broken heart and new attitude. It’s time to walk on the wild side. But when she makes a wrong turn and ends up in Bluebird, Texas, the only man she wants is anything but reckless.

…to find all you’ve ever wanted.

Ritter Malone is the town’s favorite son and has the local hero awards to prove it. Seems he’s always in the right place at the right time. But when he crosses paths with True, his life takes a turn he never sees coming. Her songwriting skills may be questionable, but her ability to turn him inside out is indisputable.

Welcome to Bluebird, Texas.

Where a chance meeting gives two people a chance at love.

Excerpt 

Once seated on the bench, she ran her fingertips over the keys. Other than the few notes she’d hammered out at Ritter’s, she couldn’t recall the last time she’d played, but figured it was like riding a bike. 

Jessie scooted a chair closer, spun it around and straddled it. “Any time you’re ready.”

“I should warn you. Apparently, I’ve had some bad breakups, so my songs are a bit on the—”

“Sad side?”

“No. More on the I’ll-write-a-song-to-get-even-with-you side.”

Jessie chuckled. “I’m anxious to hear them.”

“Okay, here we go.”

When True finished all the verses, Jessie’s face had turned red with laughter. “That’s pretty cute. Got another one?”

“Depending on how risqué you’ll allow me to be, here’s one I call, “There Was Nothing Between Us but Your Penis.”

Jessie threw his head back, and belly laughed.

She launched into song.

This time when she ended the number, he laughed harder. “Girl, you may be just what this place needs. I’ll try you for a couple of weeks and see how it goes. If you’re the hit I think you’ll be; we’ll work out a salary. What night you interested in?”

~~~~

Find all of Ann’s books here: http://www.amazon.com/author/ann.everett

About Ann

Ann Everett writes about small-town Texas, where the women are sassy enough to say what they want, and the men are panty-melting hot with plenty of southern charm.

She's an Amazon bestselling author. She's won awards. She’s a top reviewer on a major writing website and a regular speaker at Wordwyse Exposytions. No need to bore you with the details. Here are ten things about her more interesting than accolades.

- She’s married to her high school sweetheart.

- She loves shopping at thrift stores.

- She doesn’t remember her first kiss.

- She hates talking on the telephone.

- A really sharp pencil makes her happy.

- She secretly wants to get a tattoo.

- She believes everyone should own a pair of cowboy boots.

- She’s thankful wrinkles aren’t painful.

- She sucks at math.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnnEverett/

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/TalkinTwang

Website http://www.anneverett.com

Blog URL http://www.anneverett.com/blog/

Newsletter http://www.anneverett.com/join-my-email-list/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/texasauthoraeverett/

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/loacl/

Email ann.everett at rocketmail dot com
 
Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/author/ann.everett

Goodreads profile https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5195211.Ann_Everett

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ann-everett

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-everett-96848238/

Review Tuesday: Gray's Promise by Anni Fife - #ReviewTuesday #eroticromance #Texas #trauma

Gray’s Promise by Anni Fife

The Wild Rose Press, 2017

Zoey Morgan and Gray Walker belong together. Growing up on their parents’ adjoining ranches in Denton, Texas, they’re best friends, then, as Zoey matures, more than friends. Gray has always known Zoey would eventually be his; she begs him to take her innocence, but he wants to wait for the perfect time and setting.

On Zoey’s nineteenth birthday, however, everything changes. During the celebration, someone invades the Morgan home, drugs and kills her whole family, then brutally beats and rapes Zoey herself. Gray’s brother Jacks is wounded as well. Gray, who hadn’t yet arrived at the party, curses himself for being unable to prevent the attack, which leaves Zoey so traumatized she can’t speak. Meanwhile, Jacks claims that Zoey has agreed to be his wife, pointing out the engagement ring on her finger. Convinced by his mother that Zoey no longer wants him, Gray leaves Denton and becomes a soldier, turning his grief and anger against other enemies.

Meanwhile, Zoey endures years of nightmares and panic attacks, as well as a persistent inability to remember what actually happened on that horrible night. When Gray occasionally tries to contact her, she pushes him away. Having him around just makes the terrors worse.

Only when her psychological trauma makes it impossible for her to do her job as a pediatric surgeon does Zoey reach out to the man she’d once loved. More than a decade has past. Both Zoey and Gray are so emotionally damaged that it seems almost impossible for them to trust one another. For Zoey, though, Gray is her only hope of recovering her sanity.

Anni Fife really knows how to ramp up the angst. Rarely have I encountered romance characters who suffer as much as the protagonists in Gray’s Promise. Given what the two have been through, however, I found their mutual suspicion and heart-rending pain completely believable and very compelling.

Ms. Fife does a wonderful job portraying the mercurial shifts in their interactions, the visceral attraction between them battling the scars from their long estrangement. Only very gradually do they learn how to navigate the deep and stormy emotional waters into which they’ve been thrown. The author does not hurry them toward their happily ever after (the book is a hefty 400 pages in ebook form), but allows each of them to take tentative steps as they try to reconstruct the love they once felt for one another, which circumstances crushed so cruelly.

The book is beautifully written, alternating between Gray’s and Zoey’s perspectives. Although Gray is definitely an alpha type, he’s much more vulnerable and nurturing than Luke, the hero in the first King Security book (who shows up as a secondary character in this novel).

Zoey’s tragedy has almost broken her, but she retains an inner strength. She’s not a limp, self-pitying victim. She can still respond to Gray with flashes of wit and sass. Still, she teeters on the edge of chaos. Having had some experience with psychiatric illness myself, I found Zoey’s lapses into panic all too familiar. Like Zoey, I discovered that it takes a strong love to banish that sort of demons.

There’s a lot of erotic heat between Zoey and Gray, but they don’t fully consummate their relationship until very late in the book. Some readers of erotic romance might find this disappointing. I thought it showed true understanding on the part of the author. A woman as shattered as Zoey—a man as cautious as Gray—would not jump into bed with one another until they were really on solid ground. Let me assure you that when Zoey and Gray finally do make love, it is well worth the wait, both for them and for the reader.

Overall, I really enjoyed Gray’s Promise. My only criticism is that I thought the “mystery” of the birthday attack was far too transparent. I knew who was responsible, and why, hundreds of pages before Gray and Zoey discover the truth. The punishment of the villains was also a bit too quick and convenient.

This is a minor point, though. Gray’s Promise is a romance, not a mystery. And as an instance of that genre, it succeeds brilliantly.

Sneak Peek: Claiming the Maverick's Heart by @DebraHoltBooks (#rodeo #giveaway #cowboy)

Blurb

“He’s back.”

Words Macy Donovan hoped to never hear.

Trace Cartwright was the maverick rodeo cowboy who broke her heart, leaving her on the steps of the church on the eve of their wedding. Now he's returned to build his home and to lay claim to her heart ... again. Macy barely survived the broken heart the first time. Does he think he can walk back into her life and take up where he left off?

Excerpt Snippet

All that from just a glance? It was only a swift glimpse, but Macy didn’t need more. The broad shoulders and lean hips hadn’t changed…and neither had the cocky set of the black Stetson. The man was more than a head taller than anyone around him; his straight-backed stature was a distinctive Cartwright trait, as were the green eyes inherited from his Irish mother. Macy couldn’t see his eyes from that distance, but she didn’t need to. They were forever etched in her memory. Wiping first one sweaty palm and then the other on the legs of her jeans, she increased her grip on the steering wheel while her insides continued their gymnastics.

Buy Links

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Claiming-Mavericks-Heart-reliving-redemption-ebook/dp/B01LVVAV29

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/claiming-the-mavericks-heart-debra-holt/1124729959?ean=9781946016058
 

About the Author

Born and raised in the Lone Star state of Texas, Debra grew up among horses, cowboys, wide open spaces, and real Texas Rangers. Pride in her state and ancestry knows no bounds and it is these heroes and heroines she loves to write about the most. She also draws upon a variety of life experiences including working with abused children, caring for baby animals at a major zoo, and planning high-end weddings (ah, romance!). 

 

When she isn’t busy writing about tall Texans and feisty heroines, she can be found cheering on her Texas Tech Red Raiders, or heading off on another cruise adventure. She read her first romance...Janet Dailey's Fiesta San Antonio, over thirty years ago and became hooked on the genre. Writing contemporary romances, is both her passion and dream come true, and she hopes her books will bring smiles...and sighs...to all who believe in happily-ever-after’s.

Debra invites you to visit her website at www.debraholtbooks.com. She loves to hear from other aspiring authors or readers via email at debraholtbooks [at] gmail [dot] com. Twitter is https://twitter.com/DebraHoltBooks and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DebraHoltBooks. 

Debra is giving away a $10 bookstore gift certificate to one lucky reader. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter! 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

They Have Meds for That

By C.A. Szarek (Guest Blogger)

So, the first time I told my husband my characters talk to me, he told me “They have meds for that.” I just had to giggle. Even though he’s my other half, he struggles to understand me as a writer. It’s difficult. 

In my experience, that’s pretty common. No one else except another writer can understand fully.

But that’s all right. Because I can still share my stories with the world, whether people like them or not.

When people ask me how I decide what to write about, or how a particular story goes, it boils down to this: My characters tell me more often than I decide.

I am a pantser, which means I write by the seat of my pants. I don’t plot. I just sit down and write and hope the words flow. Sometimes they do. Sometimes I struggle. Sometimes I think I know what’s going to happen, and they throw me for a loop. Sometimes I’m write and the story follows the lines I assumed they would. But so far, if I listen to them, they let me know what the story will be.

Promise I’m not crazy!

When I’ve tried to plot, I haven’t been all that successful. I made decisions and when the story changed, I didn’t deal with the change in my structure. It just stressed me out. So I had to convince myself the way I have been doing things, my process, isn’t wrong. That every writer is different. And that’s OKAY!

Whatever works to get the words on the page is the correct way.

I guess that’s what I would tell other writers: Don’t mess with what’s not broken.

You know how I said my characters talk to me? Well, sometimes they can be difficult. As in…they won’t/don’t SHUT UP! Or give me peace of any kind.

One in particular, Cole, the hero of Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book One) feels as if he should be the center of my universe. When I was writing the book, he haunted my dreams. One might think that’s helpful to a pantser like me, but he wouldn’t let me even think about anything else! I suppose it’s handy that he’s so hot. 6’4, black hair, gray eyes, and of course all the right muscles. Hehehe. He’s funny, too, which is always a plus.

But I figured I would get relief when I was done with the book. Not so much. I KEPT dreaming about him, and his heroine, Andi. The positive thing in all that is, I suppose that they gave me the idea for a very cute Christmas story!

When I moved on to start book two, Cole insisted he needed an “important” role in the book, so for all those who read CF and like him, be assured you will see him in the second book as well.

I’ve always been a writer, but the road to publication has been an adventure. I’m so glad I get to share what’s in my head with readers!

By the way, I'm giving away a copy of Collision Force to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment that includes your email to be added to the drawing.

Blurb

Bad boy FBI agent and feisty widowed police detective collide pursuing a human trafficker in small town Texas on their way to true love.

Bad boy, married to his job FBI agent Cole Lucas always gets his man. So when the unthinkable happens and one gets away, Cole grits his teeth and hunts human trafficker Carlo Maldonado all the way to Antioch, Texas, where he collides with Detective Andi MacLaren.

Cole doesn’t do small towns and doesn’t get involved with women he works with, but Andi tempts him in ways he doesn’t want to acknowledge.

Two murders, her partner shot and leading the investigation on her own, the last thing Andi needs is a cocky FBI agent who sees her as no more than a tagalong.

Widow and single mother Andi is used to being on her own. When Cole gets stuck without a place to stay, crashing on her couch puts them in dangerous territory.

Attraction and passion bring Andi to a place she’d left behind when her husband died. Her three-year-old son quickly wiggles his way into Cole’s heart, and he starts contemplating things—family, love—that he’d never planned for himself.

Can being forced to work together make them stronger or will their differences jeopardise their case and their hearts?

Excerpt

 

“Goodnight, Cole.” Obviously, she didn’t want to talk to him about anything, let alone his overdue apology.

“So, that’s it? You’re not going to accept my apology?”

“Not tonight. I’m tired, and we have a long day tomorrow.” She turned to go.

“Andi, wait.” Why was he calling her back? He could respect that she was still upset with him—she had every right to be. He’d gone a bit overboard with some of the things he’d said.

Keeping Cass’ phone call from her had been unnecessary from the start. He hadn’t needed to carry it on in the car after they’d left the warehouse. It’d only served to get her so pissed off at him she’d barely uttered a word all day. So much for getting somewhere on the case.

Andi glanced over her shoulder and Cole grabbed her wrist. He yanked her into his arms and covered her mouth with his.

He hadn’t intended to kiss her but as her soft, warm lips caressed his, Cole couldn’t have changed his mind even if he’d wanted to. Her curves hit his chest with enough impact that should have jarred him back into his head, but he was lost and overheated immediately. He wrapped her in a tight embrace and kissed her harder.

She fought him, but his mouth was demanding over hers, and Andi opened for him, melting against him, surrendering to him. She slipped her arms around his neck and Cole bit back a groan. Her taste, sweeter than he’d imagined, was like ripe berries. He needed more.

Andi whimpered against his mouth, her tongue dancing with his. His cock stood at attention, straining against his zipper. He moaned as her body melded to his, breasts to chest, hips to hips. Cole had to have her.

As he walked them back towards the couch, she pushed hard against his chest, breaking the kiss and shoving him away from her. They both panted hard.

“Don’t…don’t ever do that…again,” she stammered, the gorgeous swell of her breasts lifting and pulling her shirt taut as her chest heaved. He could see peaked nipples. His erection throbbed and he struggled for coherent thought.

Cole dragged his gaze to her face. Blue eyes wide, cheeks rosy, freckles noticeable, her lips swollen from his. Though she’d been appealing before, how she stood before him now blew that out of the water. She was gorgeous.

He needed to say something. Anything. Apologise? He wasn’t sorry in the least. Speechless just about covered it.

She trembled and rubbed her arm. It took all he was made of not to pull her back to him and kiss her again.

There was no chance to answer. Andi turned on her heel and fled down the hall, slipping into the room farthest away from the living room. She didn’t even pause to look at him as she slammed the door.

He winced. What the hell should he make of what had happened? He stared down the hallway for a moment, his heart pounding. Never in his life, not even when he was a teenager, had one kiss stirred him to the point that Andi’s had. Then she’d run from him. His body shook with unfulfilled need.

Cole couldn’t blame her, really. No way should he have given in to the urge to kiss her. But he had the sinking suspicion he would have to do it again—and more. He wouldn’t be able not to. And hell, she’d kissed him back.

The voice of reason chided that he didn’t get involved with women he worked with, but his cock certainly disagreed. He ignored them both and dragged his hand over his face. The morning would bring complications.

Cole sighed and glanced at the couch. It looked comfortable, but would he be able to sleep?

About the Author

C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. 

She works with kids when she’s not writing.

She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world

.

Sword's Call (King’s Riders Book One) is C.A.'s first book, and published by Gypsy Shadow Publishing. C.A.'s Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book 1), published by Total-E-Bound Publishing, was released June 28, 2013.

Where to find C.A.:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/caszarek

Website: www.caszarek.com

Blog: www.caszarekwriter.blogspot.com

Twitter: @caszarek

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5815085.C_A_Szarek

Get your copy of Collision Force today!

TEB|Amazon|Amazon UK|Amazon CA|Barnes & Noble|ARe|OmniLit