tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37699328153693007402024-02-19T11:08:22.902-06:00Stacy Gail - Fictional FrictionThere's No Wrong Way To Write RomanceStacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-63243939387520581172015-09-14T10:10:00.000-06:002015-09-14T10:11:40.309-06:00Pre-Order for RUDE, Plus GIVEAWAY!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s time to celebrate! HOUSE OF PAYNE: RUDE is
releasing next week and it’s <a href="http://amzn.to/1LcEDnW">available for
pre-order</a>! *happy dance*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzZo4FlPwnBGSWxGlNh17P6PELM2MgmPq_vWL75EZS5vZ-UUncTtxomkNj1ymXd5AvhbQPFc6PCsnGbSPNZIi3tRc_IBOVUO9r384BUltA7p8vCtNuEoOpFJVvIDuzdrM4CDOtOrk-BuK/s1600/House+Of+Payne_Rude+Cover+5.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzZo4FlPwnBGSWxGlNh17P6PELM2MgmPq_vWL75EZS5vZ-UUncTtxomkNj1ymXd5AvhbQPFc6PCsnGbSPNZIi3tRc_IBOVUO9r384BUltA7p8vCtNuEoOpFJVvIDuzdrM4CDOtOrk-BuK/s320/House+Of+Payne_Rude+Cover+5.0.jpg" width="220" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Last Thing She Wanted…<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From the
moment Sass Stone overheard her social worker call her “broken,” she’s been
hell-bent on proving her wrong. A broken woman doesn't have a posse of kickass
friends, a foodie lover’s dream job and a string of pretty boys she enjoys
playing with. Sure, she has scars, but they’re buried so far down no one even
knows they’re there. Certainly her former foster brother, Rudolfo Panuzzi
doesn’t know about them. The man she’d dubbed “Rude” could sniff around all he
wanted, but it wasn’t going to get him anywhere. He’d never get inside—her
pants, or her heart.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<b><span style="background: white;">…Was The One Thing She Needed<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
</b><span style="background: white;">A dozen
years and several combat tours in the Marines has a way of maturing a man, and
Rude is no exception. His last mission killed his closest friends and almost
killed him, leaving him with wounds on both body and soul. When he looks in the
mirror, the haunted eyes staring back remind him far too much of his sexy
little foster sister, Sass. That’s when he knows there’s more to her than he
ever imagined… and he’s imagined one hell of a lot.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="background: white;">When Want And Need Collide<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
</b><span style="background: white;">One by
one, Rude destroys the defenses that have kept Sass locked inside herself. But
even as she reluctantly allows him to coax her out of her shell, a dark cloud
casts its shadow on their world. Is it something from his past… or hers?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">109,000
words<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">***This
is the fourth book in the House Of Payne series, but each book can be read as a
standalone. Not intended for readers under the age of 18 due to adult language
and sexual content***<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJt87sEgMBjD-Z3cHQvK5QyK2QNp-2np3EhURx0xDAZnm88sUbVQUry2d7LpgIWliMy4YXi5KeNV6iIYUMeyiOJyawvvsdn23UGoXnrPHpE-_HorusNSopdhRmMaHRlXRV9t23k5Gc07F/s1600/House+Of+Payne_Rude_Pre-Order.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJt87sEgMBjD-Z3cHQvK5QyK2QNp-2np3EhURx0xDAZnm88sUbVQUry2d7LpgIWliMy4YXi5KeNV6iIYUMeyiOJyawvvsdn23UGoXnrPHpE-_HorusNSopdhRmMaHRlXRV9t23k5Gc07F/s320/House+Of+Payne_Rude_Pre-Order.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m celebrating RUDE’S pre-order all this week by having a
small giveaway—three $5 Amazon gift cards are up for grabs, from today until
September 20<sup>th</sup>. Good luck!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="d4e352425" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d4e352425/" id="rcwidget_66m1mnh8" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-83692607096916693462015-05-25T09:23:00.003-06:002015-05-25T09:23:46.616-06:00Cover Reveal for HOUSE OF PAYNE: TWIST!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Ta-da!!!!!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dNIqVfwfMEr8NXGdpS3OANCMWo3Q6HtbJ0Od7VfivrihingnKgfbJMwCrbrQNpUhmv3wd7e2MFHtYAd27HQBbwRZjt7ZPpq8lzYwee6c-vjVw0haeZm6WPTl1lqHVilTGdYCcfWHC3xF/s1600/House+Of+Payne_Twist+4.0+Amazon+sized_+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dNIqVfwfMEr8NXGdpS3OANCMWo3Q6HtbJ0Od7VfivrihingnKgfbJMwCrbrQNpUhmv3wd7e2MFHtYAd27HQBbwRZjt7ZPpq8lzYwee6c-vjVw0haeZm6WPTl1lqHVilTGdYCcfWHC3xF/s640/House+Of+Payne_Twist+4.0+Amazon+sized_+Final.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here's the back cover copy:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tattooist. Artist. Dreamer.</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Angel had been a schoolgirl when she came to
House Of Payne, a displaced princess with only a fanciful imagination to her
name. Now the world clamors for her designs, but that means nothing to Goth
tattooist, Twist. Long ago she craved to see admiration in his sexy dark eyes,
but after years of enduring his contempt, she’s given up. Leaving the House
feels like running, but Twist makes it impossible to stay.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><br />
<strong>Tattooist. Artist. Ex-Con.</strong><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Two words came to Twist’s mind when he first saw
Angel—</span><em>jail bait</em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">. When he'd been
released from prison for a crime he’d commit again in a heartbeat, he'd
nevertheless been determined to keep his nose clean. Too bad he couldn't stop
from thinking about getting into the pants of the House’s fairytale princess.
But with a past like his, he’s no good for Angel. All he can do is watch over
her from afar… whether she likes it or not.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">When Angel’s injured, Twist appoints himself as
her personal caretaker. She soon discovers that beneath his arrogant façade
lies the heart of a devoted protector. She’s going to need that protection, as
Twist’s past has made an unsettling reappearance.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I'm waiting for edits to come in so I can hammer them out. If they're not too awful *crosses fingers* I'll release this Sunday, May 31st. Wish me luck! :D</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-23891150605632710132014-10-17T11:25:00.001-06:002014-10-17T19:22:40.141-06:00Cover reveal/giveaway for WHERE THERE’S A WILL!<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBOeHz5e6jQrY-IBz_iTNPLOqDrQQo9S0Cmikggv9-lbn993ld2FbewxPeEr0FdlT24whgafuhswA7djXQWmvcDUibPY8Lz3OFZofnzwuvyTLAYyjdnq_dM9oAyrHkOVvWe9DCu_egie1/s1600/CARINA_1114_9781426899287_WhereTheresAWill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBOeHz5e6jQrY-IBz_iTNPLOqDrQQo9S0Cmikggv9-lbn993ld2FbewxPeEr0FdlT24whgafuhswA7djXQWmvcDUibPY8Lz3OFZofnzwuvyTLAYyjdnq_dM9oAyrHkOVvWe9DCu_egie1/s1600/CARINA_1114_9781426899287_WhereTheresAWill.jpg" height="640" width="403" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One
month from today is the release of Coe’s story, WHERE THERE’S A WILL—woohoo! I’m
celebrating with a cover reveal giveaway by offering one $20 Amazon GC, and two $5 Amazon
GCs. Hop along the bloggy trail to read excerpts from WHERE THERE'S A WILL and enter to win!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l/2AQEUvcwIAQHqTXiT8B3usUbA2R3i2FYxgJfBJXaRReZzbA/fictionalrendezvousbookblog.blogspot.com/">Fictional
Rendezvous Book Blog</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l/wAQHQwS7fAQHXxBJ5JSoIstDIamgiEIdV1GVRb8mqSgje8Q/www.pinkypollock.blogspot.com">Pinky's
Favorite Reads</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jensreadingobsession.blogspot.com/2014/10/where-theres-will-by-stacy-gail-cover.html">Jen'sReading Obsession</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pageturningbookjunkie.blogspot.com/">Page Turning Book Junkie</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://roughdraftbookblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/17/cover-reveal%c2%a8-%c2%b8%c2%b8-where-theres-a-will-by-stacy-gail/">RoughDraft Book Blog</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://lifebooksandmore.blogspot.com/2014/10/where-theres-will-cover-reveal-by-stacy.html">LBM Book Blog</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://spreadingtheword319.blogspot.com/2014/10/stacy-gail-cover-reveal-rafflecopter.html?zx=aad937e4ad69c204">spreadingthe word with Denise & Donna</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.covertocoverbookblog.com/#!where-theres-a-will-cover-reveal/cmyd">Cover to Cover Book Blog</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l/kAQGjIKQkAQEzOcasDS5pNKaAG61tESR3dxXrKdz9tDtv0A/devilishlydeliciousbookreviews.wordpress.com/">Devilshly
Delicious Book Reviews</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://shortandsassybookblurbs.blogspot.com/2014/10/miranda-brookhaven-returned-to.html">Short and Sassy Book Blurbs</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com/2014/10/cover-teveal-where-theres-will-stacey.html">The Phantom Paragrapher</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mhzbookreviewsandgiveaways.blogspot.com/2014/10/where-theres-will-by-stacy-gail-cover.html">Book Heathens</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://elainekelly59.blogspot.com/?zx=684ef0b8fbd51179">Elaine and Tami's JB3 Blackbirds</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l/QAQGOtBNRAQEdQbcXOlwcxIpGED_1eQ9NFifEu0G-vSM_7Q/www.facebook.com/haveyoureadbookblog">M&D's
have you read book blog</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://theultimatefanblog.com/?p=579">The Ultimate Fan Blog</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/654832647889623/photos/pcb.813704418669111/813701515336068/?type=1&theater">Evy's Books</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://westoleyourbookboyfriend.weebly.com/spotlights-and-cover-reveals/where-theres-a-will-by-stacy-gail-cover-reveal">we stole your book boyfriend</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://allisread.blogspot.com/2014/10/cover-reveal-where-theres-will-by.html?zx=e7e97161ebc66aae">All is Read</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l/RAQGpTUoIAQE2gJKHihRAquNxkFuwSK6GNNx6o7ydQxqxFw/www.lisalovesbooks.wordpress.com">Lisa
Loves books</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mazzysbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/stacygail.html">Obsessed by Books</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cecesreviews.blogspot.com/2014/10/cover-reveal-where-theres-will-by-stacy.html">Celestial Reviews</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jodiredford.blogspot.com/2014/10/cover-reveal-stacy-gails-where-there-is.html">The Fairy Files</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.aclosetfullofbooks.com/2014/10/cover-revealwhere-theres-will-by-stacy.html">A Closet Full of Books</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://karynd19.tumblr.com/post/100227036236/cover-reveal-where-theres-a-will-by-stacy-gail">Word Forward</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQL9ahlBXez3VAdtypC8K9doRMUFL_jEqwv0-G2NV239w_Ur0ZAiFxePhA1OnFeGUqX8Jb2MVAcQx_QyHGSm0KwznvDNCjSeL3qsH91rcwCW68DeIMcc4S_UWPMJXznkjawWR4ozS-Y8J/s1600/Where+There's%2BA%2BWill%2Bgraphic%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQL9ahlBXez3VAdtypC8K9doRMUFL_jEqwv0-G2NV239w_Ur0ZAiFxePhA1OnFeGUqX8Jb2MVAcQx_QyHGSm0KwznvDNCjSeL3qsH91rcwCW68DeIMcc4S_UWPMJXznkjawWR4ozS-Y8J/s1600/Where+There's%2BA%2BWill%2Bgraphic%2B6.jpg" height="640" width="530" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-68788801432921979672014-10-06T11:12:00.003-06:002014-10-06T11:12:58.444-06:00Cover Reveal for HOUSE OF PAYNE: PAYNE!!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ARE YOU READY????????<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first-ever indie cover for HOUSE OF PAYNE: PAYNE
is ready to greet the world!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But first, a first-kiss snippet, from Payne's POV. :) Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That melancholy
was back with a vengeance, until it was almost painful to see. “What about
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I told you, I
don’t have any tattoos. I hope you don’t hold that against me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t, and
that’s not what I meant. How’d you wind up with no family? Are you an orphan
like me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No. I’m
invisible.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The deadened
tone, far more than the words, made him frown. “I don’t get it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Disowned or
estranged might be the correct words when it comes to my family, but invisible
is far more accurate. When you say you’re interested in a 3D portfolio, what
sort of images did you have in mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">No Trespassing. Do Not Enter. Violators Will Be Shot,
Gutted and Served on a Stick.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> She may as well have had a sign hung
around her neck. “I take it you have no interest in butterflies?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You already
have those. What don’t you have?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A rush of
answers flooded in, all of them having to do with her. “I don’t suppose you’d
relax your stance on <i>Missing Piece</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“That work is
off the table. It was hard enough making it available for private sale. Allowing
it to be worn by everyone and their hamster would diminish what it represents.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What does it
represent?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was quiet
for so long he thought she wouldn’t answer. Then she pushed her plate away as
well, her waffle half-eaten. “Death. Its agonized and never-healed aftermath. I
have many more 3D pieces on my website. Take a look through what I’ve got
available and let me know if there’s anything that grabs you. I’ll also post
more projects tonight, just to give you an idea of what else I have going on. Oh,
and one last thing,” she added, pushing to her feet and digging out a few bills
to lay on the table, “if you even mention the word <i>audition</i> again, it’ll be the last word you say to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I have one last
thing as well.” He also slid out of the booth and didn’t suffer a hint of shame
when he towered over her. Dainty women had always brought out the
knuckle-dragging protector in him, but never more so than now. No matter how
much fire and ferocity Becks put on display, he suspected it was only
window-dressing to camouflage the cracks in her armor. “You said you believe in
brunch, remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She blinked.
“Yes, of course. So?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’m guessing
you’re like most creative types—up until the wee hours of the morning while the
sane and the unimaginative are in their boring little beds, getting their boring
little eight hours. That would mean you’re crazy-desperate for coffee by… what?
Noon?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Ten, actually,”
came the huffy reply. “Again I ask, so?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“So… I’m going
to see you tomorrow for brunch.” He cupped the nape of her neck, his thumb
elevating her chin to meet the descent of his mouth. Most farewell kisses were
nothing, really, a shallow gesture that had no meaning behind it. The
modern-day equivalent of a handshake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Most</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> farewell kisses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not this one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her lips were
warm velvet and not anywhere near ready for his. He loved that. She’d had no time
to stitch together some bullshit game so often used by women with seduction on
their minds and dollar signs in their eyes. This was just… Becks. A woman he
was attracted to. A woman who corrected him to his face. A woman who forgave
without any drama or guilt trips. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In every
conceivable way, she was his kind of woman.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her lips parted
with a gasp of surprise. Shamelessly he took advantage, softening his mouth to
mold to hers while pushing her deeper into the kiss until their tongues tangled.
He felt the moment her bewilderment and shock evaporated into dazed
participation, as she slowly melted like wax against him. The long, unbroken
line where their bodies touched dropped the floor out from under his feet, and
the heaviness in his cock intensified into a sweet, pulsating ache. Damn, talk
about escalating quickly. He had to break this up, now, before he got so worked
up he lost it right there. And he could lose it, he realized with a jolt. Somehow
her kiss had gained the power to hold time so still the world itself seemed to
hold its breath at its simple perfection. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her kiss alone
was almost too much for him to handle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took most of
his strength to lift his head, a fact that frankly alarmed him. Her eyes opened,
and he had to lock every muscle in place at the sight of the dreamy desire
glittering in their soulful depths. That was how a woman should look when
kissed by her man, he thought before he could check it. Drunk. Dazed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hungry for more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God knew he was
ready to give it to her. Right there, in a crowded restaurant, he wanted to
give it to her in the worst way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then that hungry
look was blinked away a second later, and he was baffled by the chill that
closed around him when she pushed out of his hold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’ve got a lot
of work to get done, so I’d better get going.” Her voice was little more than a
breathless whisper as she grabbed up her purse. “I hope we can do business
together. Email me about your portfolio ideas, and um… have a nice day.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now… THE COVER REVEAL!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3d9df0cac0a2">Here it is!</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But that might not work for some, so… I guess I need
to do it the old-fashioned way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I should have posted it by now, right? Heh. Okay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxRdF-pMXBzo27PvZclzSw3R_sLncSJhXRxRmFbZzMvPcNVheFmKZyh3Dv4x2tGQ-HAmN-3TzDeFiJzo0H5bU29GNN18yJn757ZMYUcIFwMEbZoyGWfUfL_qJykx9xIYqYITAVGVYSfrJ/s1600/House_Of_Payne_Payne_FINAL_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxRdF-pMXBzo27PvZclzSw3R_sLncSJhXRxRmFbZzMvPcNVheFmKZyh3Dv4x2tGQ-HAmN-3TzDeFiJzo0H5bU29GNN18yJn757ZMYUcIFwMEbZoyGWfUfL_qJykx9xIYqYITAVGVYSfrJ/s1600/House_Of_Payne_Payne_FINAL_COVER.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(I seriously canNOT use enough exclamation points on this. For real :D)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HOUSE OF PAYNE: PAYNE releases a week from today, with over 10% added content, including an epilogue that made me tear up in all the good ways. Can't wait to share!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 30.6666641235352px;"><br /></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-2634396040200597032014-10-03T09:43:00.005-06:002014-10-03T10:34:56.675-06:00NOBODY'S ANGEL is on sale for $.99 until Oct. 27th!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxwUGaUqrpt8YyIHHWb4nSMGwpJMCmSnVO96bD_2DWJ8NOdyr4jWdm66z84mfU6SN6M_CoE9fCwJehUSwz1ukMyWnoO2DKlF3nnr5skt7TLe-jmybRyilZZp1i8l1V_idI60YxXsuVqV9/s1600/Nobody's%2BAngel%2Bsale%2Bgraphic%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxwUGaUqrpt8YyIHHWb4nSMGwpJMCmSnVO96bD_2DWJ8NOdyr4jWdm66z84mfU6SN6M_CoE9fCwJehUSwz1ukMyWnoO2DKlF3nnr5skt7TLe-jmybRyilZZp1i8l1V_idI60YxXsuVqV9/s1600/Nobody's%2BAngel%2Bsale%2Bgraphic%2B2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m so excited! For almost the entire month of
October, Carina Press is having a HUGE sale on lots of their PNR titles, and
guess what? NOBODY’S ANGEL is one of them! *happy dance* For just ninety-nine
pennies, you can have the novella that kicked off the idea of creating the 4
major archetypes in the paranormal world—the superhero (NOBODY’S ANGEL), the
warrior (SAVAGE ANGEL, and a woman!!!), lost powers (WOUNDED ANGEL), and the
reluctant hero (DANGEROUS ANGEL).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All four stories have their own story arcs in
addition to a story line that ties them together, and all four books have their
HEA (since I’m not a big fan of cliffhangers, heh). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If that doesn’t intrigue you enough, how about a
sampling of NOBODY’S ANGEL? Here’s the opening chapter for you to enjoy. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*****</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DpNUsrwT8-WlznDvC3kvhIDOCBHS_zNi2yaklANVDyzCe4Onf05lSr0ZUZ0JKVqIWt09WPOtidagis_8GWLHvH7d6GGRexM-kMZPf-Ew6Ip1RZCusSySzQ6Bt2CvrJYh1rszbeccTW52/s1600/NobodysAngelFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DpNUsrwT8-WlznDvC3kvhIDOCBHS_zNi2yaklANVDyzCe4Onf05lSr0ZUZ0JKVqIWt09WPOtidagis_8GWLHvH7d6GGRexM-kMZPf-Ew6Ip1RZCusSySzQ6Bt2CvrJYh1rszbeccTW52/s1600/NobodysAngelFinal.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chapter One</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I
can’t believe it…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“There was <i>so</i> much blood.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fragments of conversation hit
Kendall Glynn from all sides, but the words were no more than an irrelevant
buzzing in her brain. She was just as oblivious to the emergency vehicles
scattered outside San Francisco’s top-rated KPOW TV station. Some of her
colleagues were crying, while others spoke to police. The sea of people behind
the yellow crime-scene tape all looked the same—eager spectators hoping for a
glimpse of more blood, more madness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She’d had enough of both to last
a lifetime.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Miss? Have you been treated?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kendall’s zombielike shuffling
halted at the deep melodic voice close to her, and she turned to discover an
EMT had appeared at her side. For a long moment she stared at him while his
words slipped across the frozen surface of her mind without leaving a mark.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’m not hurt.” Her voice came
from far off, unrecognizable and rough around the edges. Which made sense. The
last time she’d used it had been to scream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And scream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And scream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You might not be hurt, but you
are in shock.” Somehow she was moving again, heading for the back of an empty
ambulance. It wasn’t until he helped her into it that she realized he’d pulled
her along like a lost two-year-old. “I’m going to check you out, okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“This blood, it’s not mine.” Amazing,
how calm she sounded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I understand.” After settling
her on the side of a gurney, the paramedic lifted her chin with a gloved hand
and flashed a penlight across her eyes. “You’ve got lovely eyes, just like
emeralds. Do you have a name?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Kendall Glynn.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“My name is Zeke Reece. I’m going
to take your vitals now, okay, Kendall?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’m not hurt.” He had to
understand she wasn’t the one who needed his attention. “The others, Dave
Beamer and Jane Walters, they’re the ones who...” <i>Oh, God</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“They’re being taken care of.” A
blood-pressure cuff slipped over her arm. Began to squeeze. “You were close to
them when it went down, right? Can you tell me what happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t know.” Confused, she
shook her head. “One second Dave was doing his job—smiling into the camera and
reading the copy I wrote about a couple of murder-suicides. It was my first
lead story.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Congratulations.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Maybe he didn’t like how I wrote
it.” She couldn’t seem to stop shaking her head. “The next thing I knew, Dave
was choking our anchorwoman so hard I thought he’d snapped her neck, before he
took his pen and…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Easy.” Zeke moved to sit beside
her and pushed her head between her knees. “You’re not allowed to go that
white, Kendall. Makes me think you’re going to faint.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t know what happened,” she
said again, closing her eyes and willing the queasiness to pass. “Everyone was
screaming. It wasn’t until I got close to Dave that I realized he was yelling
the loudest. It’s like he was possessed, jamming his pen into his own neck
while he screamed for someone to stop him. I jumped on top of him, but…” She
gulped in air until the ringing in her ears went away. “I think he’s dead. I
think Dave is dead.” She trembled on the verge of admitting she’d seen the
essence of Dave’s life drain away, just as she’d witnessed her grandfather’s
life essence drift from his body in the hospital when she was a child. She’d
told her mother about it, and had been reprimanded for letting her imagination
run away with her like crazy Aunt Maggie, a woman who read palms and talked to
spirits for a living. But deep down Kendall had always suspected what she’d
seen that day was real, and Aunt Maggie probably wasn’t as crazy as her family claimed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After tonight, though, she
couldn’t help but think she might not be standing as securely on the stable
ground of sanity as she’d once believed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’m sorry to say you’re right.” The
EMT’s deep voice brought her back with a jolt. “Dave Beamer didn’t make it. Jane,
though, is still alive. That’s something.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kendall let out a shuddering
breath as the nausea passed. “I’m fine now.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’ll be the judge of that.” But
he let her straighten up, his hand on her back. It felt sturdy and warm, but if
this was what it took to get a hot guy to sit next to her, she was all in favor
of eternal spinsterhood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord. How awful she must be,
thinking that at a time like this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Your color sucks.” With that
professional assessment, he reached into a duffel bag and fished out a flask. “Let’s
try some non-regulation emergency medicine packed just for such an occasion. Do
you have any allergies to seventy-five-year-old brandy?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I have no idea.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No time like the present to find
out.” With that, he tipped the flask into her mouth. Fiery liquid scalded her
throat, but the sting brought the world back into sharp focus. “Better?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Maybe.” She gasped after downing
what felt like half the flask. That had to be what it felt like to chug jet
fuel. “I think I can now breathe fire.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Sounds like a cool super power
to have.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kendall half-laughed, then was
shocked she was capable of such a thing. “Did they teach you that technique in
EMT school?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Nah, Boy Scouts. Always be
prepared.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kendall trembled on the verge of
laughing again and glanced at the man seated beside her. She must be in some
serious kind of shock, was all she could think. That was the only way she could
explain overlooking a square-jawed, raven-haired behemoth of a man with the
most mesmerizing golden-brown eyes she’d ever seen. His chin was shadowed with
a cleft at the point, and the arch of his brows had an elegant curve that made
her fingers itch to trace them. She almost lifted a hand to follow through with
the urge, and had to look away to stop herself from getting touchy-feely with a
complete stranger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Your color’s coming back.” To
her surprise he indulged in some face-touching of his own, laying the back of
his gloved hand against her cheek. “Nice and warm. Brandy does have its
medicinal merits, doesn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I think I’m going to make it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I never had a doubt.” Tucking
the flask back in the duffel bag, he pulled out a packet of wet wipes. “Once
you get some of that blood off you, you’ll feel even better. May I?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Oh. Uh, I can do it—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yeah, but I can see it.” Clearly
not a man who took no for an answer, he began to massage her face with the cold
wipe. “No one else is as covered as you, did you know that?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’m not sure I want to know
that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Seems to me you were the only
one who dived into the fray.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Oh?” Kendall frowned, oddly
distracted by his touch. “Does that make me weird?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Depends. Were you and Dave
Beamer close?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’m not close to anyone here,
yet. I’m a transfer from a small-market radio station in Half Moon Bay.” She
leaned into his hand without thinking, almost nuzzling him. “I’ve only been at
KPOW for three months, working as a researcher and assistant editor.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“So you didn’t know him?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I didn’t say that. Dave was the
first real friend I’ve made here, and he was the one who gave me a shot at the
lead story tonight. He wasn’t threatened by me, my ambitions are in
investigative journalism rather than anchoring. We hit it off right away, so
much so that I’m comfortable in saying that wasn’t Dave tonight. It just wasn’t
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Did he look different?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Since he’s never stabbed a ballpoint
pen into his jugular before, I’d have to say yes.” Fearful she might puke at
any moment, Kendall focused on his soothing ministrations. “There was a light
in his eyes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“A light?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Light isn’t the right word. More
like a veil. Like cataracts.” This man had some serious magic in his hands. In
an alternate universe—a universe where he wasn’t wiping a dead man’s blood off
her face—she would have done just about anything to keep him touching her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What color was it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her closing eyes snapped open. “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“That veil must have had some
color. White or red, perhaps.” He continued to wipe at her cheeks, before
sliding down to her neck. “Maybe you didn’t see anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It was white.” She arched her
neck as luxurious warmth spilled from where his gloved hand lingered over her
pulse point. “Milky white. Guess that sounds kind of crazy, huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Witnessing death puts a
tremendous amount of pressure on people—violent death even more so. Who knows
what really went down tonight? There we go.” He balled up the wipe and tossed
it before he crooked a finger under her chin. “Feel better?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Um.” His heavy-lidded eyes were
soulful, looking into hers as if she were all he could see, and her nerves beneath
his fingers tingled as though from a lover’s caress. How appalling. A colleague
killed himself right in front of her, and here she was getting overheated by a
calendar-worthy first responder. “Yes, thanks. I should be able to drive home
now,” she added, nodding toward her car not too far from where the ambulance was
parked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yeah. No.” He moved to hop out
of the back before offering her a hand. “You’re getting a ride home.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Oh, please don’t bother—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“If you don’t agree, I’ll follow
you in the ambulance, lights on and siren blaring. At least then everyone would
know to stay away from a potential hazard on the road.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something in his eyes convinced
Kendall he wasn’t kidding. In the end, she followed along in his wake when
docility wasn’t part of her nature. Her brain spun its wheels in an effort to
think of a way to keep him by her side a few minutes longer, the need to simply
be with him inexplicably powerful. But all she could do was thank him when he
handed her off to a police officer, who did some hot and heavy ogling of her
own when he walked away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“With paramedics like that, I’d
be willing to suffer a little emergency every now and again,” the woman
muttered, eyes trained on Zeke’s firm backside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite being in wholehearted
agreement with her, Kendall gave her a sharp look. “I’d say one dead anchorman
qualifies as more than a <i>little</i> emergency.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other woman arched her brows.
“Both victims were breathing, last I heard.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the affronted cop led her to a
patrol car, Kendall frowned. Obviously her shock-benumbed brain conjured up the
impossible image of Dave’s spirit drifting vaporlike from his body; that made
total sense. But why had Zeke sounded so sure Dave Beamer was dead? As they
drove off, she searched the triage area for the paramedic with soulful eyes and
gentle hands, and suffered an almost mournful pang when he was nowhere to be
found.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“…the date for memorial services
for David Beamer, San Francisco’s favorite news anchor, has yet to be
determined, as the police investigation into this incident is ongoing. . . Co-anchor
Jane Walters was taken to St. Francis Hospital—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Excuse me, would you mind
turning that down, please?” Kendall met the cabbie’s eyes in the rearview
mirror. “I’m sorry, I have a terrible headache.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The volume decreased to where
Kendall could block out the words, but she wasn’t nearly as successful at
blocking out the memories. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the gruesome
scene flashing before her. The screaming, the blood, the madness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If it were possible, she’d never
close her eyes again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That, of course, made for a
sleepless night. With nothing better to do, she decided to pick up her car left
at the station. Who cared that it was two in the morning? If she was going to
go for the sans-sleeping way of life, nocturnal errand running was something
she might as well get used to. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At least the rubberneckers had
left, Kendall noticed as she paid the cabbie and made her way to her trusty hybrid
still in KPOW’s parking lot. It was a mystery why they’d shown up in the first
place. The horror show they’d wanted to see had already played itself out on
live television. Heaven only knew what else they’d been expecting to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hell of it was, none of it
made sense. Kendall’s mouth flattened as she found herself turning her car
toward St. Francis instead of home. Dave’s behavior hadn’t given any hint that
he was about to go postal in front of a half-million shocked viewers. He’d been
fine, reading her copy, and she’d been listening to every word. <i>Her</i>
words, her story that she’d dug up a mere hour before they’d gone on air, with a
gut feeling that this was an important story churning away inside her. Everything
had been going beautifully, with Dave reading about the two murder-suicides
like the professional he was. Then, in a blink of an eye, he began screaming as
he turned into Freddy Krueger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not exactly how she’d imagined
launching her first lead story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was a veritable forest of
satellite antennas stabbing up from a fleet of news trucks around St. Francis
Hospital, including a couple from her own station. Eager to avoid anyone she
knew, Kendall drove to the back and parked beside an empty ambulance bay, only
to freeze at the sound of a voice just as she shut the car door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You can’t park here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guiltily she started and looked
around. Under a <i>porte-cochère</i> and
illuminated by harsh sodium lights, she spotted a gray-haired, scrub-clad man
leaning against a wall by the automatic sliding glass doors. Clearly on a
cigarette break, he looked at her as though she were something that had crawled
out of a sewer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She waved a vague hand toward the
front. “I’m trying to avoid the news crews. Is there somewhere I can get in
without being seen?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Why? You famous?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No, I…” She shrugged a little
helplessly. “I write copy for KPOW TV News. I was the one who tackled Dave
Beamer.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Oh yeah. Thought you looked
familiar. Your wrestling match with that anchor guy is all over TV.” The man
flicked his cigarette away and wandered toward her, a bluish-white haze of
smoke swirling around him. “You here to get a scoop, or are you injured from
tackling a crazy-ass guy twice your size?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Neither.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Then what are you doing here?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Good question</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. “I want to
know why my friend is dead. Whether it was a dose of bad drugs, or a brain aneurysm,
or a hitherto-unknown funky allergic reaction to shellfish, I want to know <i>why</i>.
Whatever the answer is, I’m not going to be able to rest until I find it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The only answer I can give you
is that you’re not allowed to park here. We’ve got emergency vehicles coming in
and out of…” The man stopped and craned his neck far to the left, as if he had
a bad crick in it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She frowned. “Are you okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was no warning. A muffled
grunt escaped him as he lunged at her, hands outstretched. And his eyes…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His eyes were white.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A scream ripped from her
already-abused throat, only to be abruptly choked off as his powerful fingers
closed around her neck like a living vise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This can’t be happening, this
can’t be</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">—<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her sneakered feet left the
concrete with the force of the impact. If her airway had been open, the breath
would have been knocked out of her as she landed flat on her back, with the man
landing hard on top of her. The back of her head smacked the pavement hard
enough for her to see stars shoot across a darkening expanse. By the time her
vision cleared, her assailant was looking down at her with a contorted face,
his eyes milky white.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh no…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wildly Kendall clawed at the
fingers squeezing her neck so hard she felt bone grind against bone. An
alarming buzz droned in her ears, while her eyes pulsed with the pressure of
trapped blood, until that throbbing was all she knew and everything else faded…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another violent impact rocked
her, and it took her a few dazed moments to grasp that she wasn’t the one who
had suffered the hit. Gagging, wheezing, not sure if her throat could even
function after being so viciously abused, she sucked in precious gulps of air
until the world came back into focus. She rolled to a wobbling sitting
position, driven by the instinctive need to find her feet and <i>run</i>. But
what she saw made her freeze in dumbstruck amazement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The figure looming over her
attacker was shrouded in black. It was as though the harsh artificial light
itself couldn’t penetrate the darkness surrounding the masculine outline
dressed in what looked like a long fitted coat straight out of <i>The Matrix</i>.
His head was also covered in darkness, complete with a black, Zorro-like cloth
that covered not just his head, but the upper half of his face as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A mask? <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sight of a masked man was
certainly more than enough to stop anyone dead in their tracks, but then the
seemingly empty black sockets behind the mask’s eyeholes shimmered. Then they glowed.
Then they burned with the ethereal whiteness of pure light, and his hands…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His hands were on fire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only it wasn’t like any fire
she’d ever seen. It was a rolling, vaporous flame that matched the white flare of
his eyes. The sight of it, along with his whitely lit eye sockets, was enough
to lock the breath up in her abused throat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear God, I’ve lost my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her attacker swiveled his head
around so hard Kendall heard the man’s neck pop before he swung at the man in
black, and she had to blink at how his movements smudged together. The newcomer
jumped back, only to unleash a crescent kick the moment he landed, and again
her eyes couldn’t quite see the movement in the stark sodium lighting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No. Wait.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wasn’t the lighting. And it
wasn’t the whack she took on the head, or being choked half to death. Though
she knew it was impossible—like everything else she’d seen tonight—the
movements of the two combatants were so fast they were <i>blurring</i> before
her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kick tagged her attacker, who
spun with it and took a swipe at her savior’s middle even as an ominous snap of
something in the hospital worker’s body rang out. With one of those
too-fast-to-see-it moves, her savior evaded, spinning low and into her
attacker’s body. Before she could fully register the move, he brought one of
his glowing hands up to the aggressor’s chest, while the light where his eyes
should be intensified until it was like looking into the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You’ve done enough damage for
one night.” The masked man’s voice rolled forth like a cold wind across a
barren plain; harsh, unforgiving. Inhuman. So terribly inhuman it made her want
to curl up in a tight ball and never come out again. “I’m ripping you out of
there once and for all, you unclean <i>bitch</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before her disbelieving eyes, the
vaporous white flame encasing his hand flowed into the man’s chest. The attacker’s
white eyes bulged as though overfilled with the flame, his mouth opening on a
soundless scream before he collapsed as if someone had suddenly pulled his
power cord. A blue-white haze—the same haze she’d thought was a cloud of
smoke—erupted from him and zipped off into the night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*****<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sound intriguing? Well then, why not one-click NOBODY’S ANGEL? For <b>$0.99</b>, you can’t go
wrong. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>BUY
LINKS:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/38A530B5-CB1E-4F2A-B760-5147BA37BA07/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=DD87C61D-0B85-4E4B-B60D-8569FF3026A6"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Carina
Press</span></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nobodys-Angel-Earth-Angels-ebook/dp/B00A22UVNW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352515122&sr=1-1&keywords=nobody%27s+angel+stacy+gail"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nobodys-angel-stacy-gail/1113832190?ean=9781426894961"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">B&N</span></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_Nobody_s_Angel?id=E4mDJl_ouc4C&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImJvb2stRTRtREpsX291YzRDIl0."><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Google
Play</span></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/stacy-gail/id444014253?mt=11"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">iTunes</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-41322249519344484262014-08-22T11:26:00.001-06:002014-08-22T11:32:44.290-06:00INKED anthology is LIVE! Read a steamy excerpt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TjeYJCU8EtGeXF8dno6zdNeShJR-5-SGrYS7TO_ajjsFKQFzyShDFofk04LJPcd8zqO4Krl2dQ1WRfmJ8aR1lt9klbm4TlrKKdSP9WzAKRouvC8WvYHoUKiLU7r4rwn8eHf0mwfLD31S/s1600/INKED+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TjeYJCU8EtGeXF8dno6zdNeShJR-5-SGrYS7TO_ajjsFKQFzyShDFofk04LJPcd8zqO4Krl2dQ1WRfmJ8aR1lt9klbm4TlrKKdSP9WzAKRouvC8WvYHoUKiLU7r4rwn8eHf0mwfLD31S/s1600/INKED+2.PNG" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MXHMNS0?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00MXHMNS0&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=CUWTVACTZLUH42PD&=books&qid=1408724147&sr=1-2">INKED anthology!!! It’s LIIIIIIVE!</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m freaking out in all the good ways, can you tell? :D My
first foray into self-pubbing is now officially live on Amazon! *happy dance*</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttjrdhgRl_rpX62RJa5ivveHqVyBuTTMvfgdcEjNnZW5-xEakIz036JRDOGeR7cPChKAioaweY9psNH-OszJl7_i4SY6hC7G53WNlrYmpHBMH4aHRU7xE8Z4PiEnsl5ihVLXJmKwT4QbU/s1600/Happy-Dance-the-colbert-report-9352750-300-229.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttjrdhgRl_rpX62RJa5ivveHqVyBuTTMvfgdcEjNnZW5-xEakIz036JRDOGeR7cPChKAioaweY9psNH-OszJl7_i4SY6hC7G53WNlrYmpHBMH4aHRU7xE8Z4PiEnsl5ihVLXJmKwT4QbU/s1600/Happy-Dance-the-colbert-report-9352750-300-229.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HOUSE OF PAYNE
is one-third of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MXHMNS0?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00MXHMNS0&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=4NKN2DCP2Z477YKM&=books&qid=1408724147&sr=1-2">INKED Anthology</a>, the first of the HOUSE OF PAYNE trilogy,
and one of the hottest books I’ve ever written. *fans self* This was a pleasure
to write, and I’m hoping it’ll be just as much a pleasure to read!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ANCQOMCkQJXeFnZA5f6nsTX5F_jd5t7zzMLq5cxPWHhFp0eDve18oXgxUb6ZGiYlMCGf55u9O7AZmSjL3GxWiUhAVZ7QsxzdOJI7p8djVUOn2Iykivd4TqAbFwAn1WD_lLi6KPtLC8Y9/s1600/fans+self+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ANCQOMCkQJXeFnZA5f6nsTX5F_jd5t7zzMLq5cxPWHhFp0eDve18oXgxUb6ZGiYlMCGf55u9O7AZmSjL3GxWiUhAVZ7QsxzdOJI7p8djVUOn2Iykivd4TqAbFwAn1WD_lLi6KPtLC8Y9/s1600/fans+self+gif.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sebastian Payne is the power behind House Of Payne—a
self-made millionaire, international celebrity and a leading force in the world
of tattoos. Payne could have any woman in the world, but he’s got eyes only for
3D artist Becks Delgado, and he’ll do anything to get her. When he takes her
out for a little private dining at an exclusive restaurant I fashioned after
The Metropolitan Club in the Willis (Sears) Tower in Chicago, he introduces his
lady-love to his version of fine dining…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EXCERPT:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “The Metro Club.” Becks’s eyes were
everywhere as they walked through the brass-accented paneled dining area lit by
crystal chandeliers. Breathtaking views of the night-shrouded Chicago skyline
glittered beyond the wall-to-wall windows, the city’s lights glowing like a
giant’s treasure trove below their perch on the sixty-seventh floor. “I never
realized this place was here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “The anarchist in me hates the
concept of clubs. Too elitist and
usually filled with people who have no concept of what it is to really work for
a living. But I discovered you have to go where business gets done, so I joined
up when the House hit the big leagues. And being a member here does have
certain perks that come with it.” Through a set of mahogany double doors, they
entered a candlelit room no bigger than a large dining room found in any house,
with framed black-and-white photos of Chicago monuments on its mellow golden
walls. Their hostess seated them next to each other on a tufted leather
banquette at a linen-swathed table facing windows that framed views of Millennium
Park. Their hostess waited as a sommelier filled fluted glasses with champagne,
then closed the doors as they exited. “Perks like private dining, for instance.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Are you kidding me?” Payne watched
her eyes grow to the size of saucers. She got halfway out of her seat to look
around while the faint melody of piano music filtered in from the front of the
restaurant. “Holy crap, this is the only table in the room.” She fell back into
her seat and made a chagrined face. “And I just said <i>holy crap</i> out loud, which proves I don’t belong in a setting as
refined as this. Are you sure you don’t want to just grab a quick bite at
McDonald’s?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Sounds great, but since we’re here
now we might as well take advantage.” He edged closer to her until their thighs
touched. The simple physical contact sang through him like a miracle. “I’m sure
the chef could make you his version of a Big Mac if you asked.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “I wouldn’t dare. That dude’s got
access to sharp knives.” By degrees her smile faded, and she fiddled with the
napkin on her lap. “You know you don’t have to wine and dine me, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “And you know that I like to do
things up right.” Payne caught that fidgeting hand in his even as the doors
opened behind them. He brought her fingers to his lips as the starters he’d
ordered—prime rib Carpaccio in truffle oil and prosciutto-wrapped grilled
asparagus—were served. “I get such a kick out of surprising you that I want to
do it all the time, so you might as well get used to it. I’ve only just begun
to spoil you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Spoiling isn’t necessary. You care
that I exist.” Her voice was so low he almost missed it as they were left alone
once more and he transferred little delicacies to their awaiting plates. “That’s
more than enough. That’s everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Becks.” Payne struggled with the
enormity of the emotions she spawned. With just a handful of words, she moved
him to the point of speechlessness while at the same time she brought out every
protective instinct he possessed. When she looked at him as if she couldn’t keep
her eyes off him, everything that was masculine in his DNA demanded he lock her
against him and never let go. “When you say things like that, it makes me want
to give you the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Meh. I don’t want the world. It’s
too messed up.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Tell me what you do want, and I’ll
get it for you.” Whatever it was, he’d find a way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “You really don’t know?” Her dark
eyes lifted to his. “All I want is you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Need slammed him, a crazed
desperation that ripped through his system like a runaway train. Savoring the
sensation, he reached over for a morsel of food and held it to her lips. “If
you’re very good, you’ll get what you want. But I want something in return.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> She took the bite into her mouth and
sucked the truffle oil from his finger. The feel of her kitten-soft, velvet
tongue against the pad of his finger taunted him without mercy. All too easily
he could imagine that sweet little tongue sliding up the length of his dick so
clearly, it was as though she’d actually done it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Oh, God…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “You want something from me?” The
smile that curled her usually solemn mouth was knowing. Sexy. Destined to snap
his will like dry kindling. “Are we bargaining now?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Always.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “What is it that you want?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Your panties. Take them off.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Static-filled silence exploded
between them for a heartbeat, and in that moment he could have sworn he heard
her heartbeat. Then, with her eyes never leaving his, she slid out of the
banquette and bunched up the folds of her long skirt. The teasing glimpses he
got of her legs—pale, slender columns that needed to be wrapped around him—were
enough to make his stiffening flesh swell to the point that his briefs felt like
they’d grown small enough to cut off all circulation. With a grimace of near
pain, he shifted in his seat while drinking in the faint shimmy of her hips.
God, she was beautiful. The world could have been ending beyond the windows in
front of him, and he still wouldn’t have been able to look away as she glided
her hands up her thighs before they disappeared under her skirt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “I wish I’d known this was going to
be in my immediate future.” The sound of her voice hit all his happy-buttons. Soft
and sultry, it was a purr that was as sensually stimulating as a tangible
caress. “I would have worn my royal
purple French lace thong. Instead, you get… these.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> A hint of red dropped to the floor. With
uncomplicated grace she stepped out of them and scooped them up. When she
folded them design side up and handed them over, the edgy hunger that stalked
him lightened with a flash of irresistible humor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Wonder Woman?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Don’t knock the Amazon princess.”
Laughter danced in her eyes along with a lush excitement she couldn’t seem to
hide, and it had him biting his lip to keep from groaning. This woman getting
hot for him was almost too arousing to bear. “That chick rocked. She was my
role model as a kid.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “A woman who appreciates comic
books. How did I ever get so lucky?” As she slid back into her seat, she lifted
her skirt out of the way, and he caught a hand above her knee before it could
once again be covered. Her skin was a living fantasy of crushed silk and rose
petals and all things that belonged in heaven. Soon he’d find out if she was
that soft everywhere. “Though I have to admit, I always preferred Marvel to
DC.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Are you crazy? Superman and Batman
and their multi-layered back stories were better than The X-Men or Spiderman any
day of the week.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Hey, now. Those are fighting words
right there.” It was insane how delighted he was with her, this nerd-girl in
disguise. With his hand sliding up her thigh, he gently bit at her neck and
wondered what she’d make of the small images of Venom and Spidey fighting it
out within the cityscape tattoo he had across the small of his back. “I think
you need to be punished for that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Ooh. Scary man.” Her breathing was
audible as she angled her body toward him for easier access. “Do your worst.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The invitation nearly broke him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Before another move could be made,
the doors behind them opened again. Dirty plates were whisked away to make way
for entrees of duck breast with cherry compote and skewers of flame-roasted
vegetables. Payne barely saw any of it, glancing up only to inform their server
that privacy was what they wanted now. When they were alone once more, the
thought of sedately eating a meal with her wearing nothing under her skirt was
the one sure way he’d lose his goddamn mind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Becks.” No matter how delicious the
aroma was from the dinner they’d been served, all he could smell was her scent.
Lust burned in him, all-consuming. It was a fever, and she was his only cure.
“Tell me if you’re hungry, and I’ll try like hell to keep my hands off you. But
if you’re not…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “No.” Her breath trembled as she
propped a knee on the seat and slipped a hand to his shoulder for balance. “I’m
not hungry… for food.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Excellent. Because the only thing I
want to eat right now is you.” With that, he cleared the space on the table in
front of him so he could set her ass down on it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now
this was his idea of fine dining. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">******</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sound interesting? Find HOUSE OF
PAYNE in the INKED anthology, along with Jade C. Jamison’s PUNCTURED, BRUISED,
AND BARELY TATTOOED, and J.M. Walker’s
SHATTERED STRINGS. All proceeds go to charity!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blurb for HOUSE OF PAYNE:<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Life is supposedly
what you make of it, but that’s crap as far as 3D artist Becks Delgado is
concerned. She never wanted her brother to die in a car accident… or to be the
one who was behind the wheel. Her external scars are nothing compared to the
raw wounds inside, and death seems to be the only way to find peace. <br />
<br />
Sebestian Payne took the concept of a tattoo parlor and transformed it into a
sophisticated gallery of living art. The House Of Payne now caters to the rich
and infamous, has garnered a worldwide following, and is run by Sebastian with
an iron fist. He knows Becks is exactly what The House Of Payne needs, but
there’s a problem. The accident that changed her life left its mark on him as
well, and whether he likes it or not, it’s time to put his House in order.</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUY LINKS</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MXHMNS0?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00MXHMNS0&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=WETAM57ZFXPHHVL6&=books&qid=1408724147&sr=1-2">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Inked-Jade-C-Jamison-ebook/dp/B00MXHMNS0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408728086&sr=1-1&keywords=Inked+Jade+c+jamison">Amazon UK</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI_ESfOCMaEl80TUa8udqdXfMLyYK5EqLHYK-utQpuWfmsibKve3F0qHrF0QeFsTKGDQh9_wzZGt9vjocFOWdmiVJ65w5C0dGVqZaTveYQQvPqaXZiXP7ObaY9H1OVwfB4B6ylNK6sYJA/s1600/Micah+Truitt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI_ESfOCMaEl80TUa8udqdXfMLyYK5EqLHYK-utQpuWfmsibKve3F0qHrF0QeFsTKGDQh9_wzZGt9vjocFOWdmiVJ65w5C0dGVqZaTveYQQvPqaXZiXP7ObaY9H1OVwfB4B6ylNK6sYJA/s1600/Micah+Truitt+2.jpg" height="400" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My inspiration for Payne, Micah Truitt. Nice, right? :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-62340510120330974102014-08-20T09:47:00.001-06:002014-08-20T09:47:54.488-06:00INKED anthology proceeds donated to charity!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvFqJIOjbuG8ECQOdqd9DsCh7BiSb6CK89rk6k61dDSHdFxQEXRIetfsg4xwQNFMr9VkcPHDpKaZiiZZwUBsKL0EYsvMDC7TwQNA7QNu1cbdNnmm5Os2u0N83glhk21Pm1kpH_xEa7kLy/s1600/INKED+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvFqJIOjbuG8ECQOdqd9DsCh7BiSb6CK89rk6k61dDSHdFxQEXRIetfsg4xwQNFMr9VkcPHDpKaZiiZZwUBsKL0EYsvMDC7TwQNA7QNu1cbdNnmm5Os2u0N83glhk21Pm1kpH_xEa7kLy/s1600/INKED+2.PNG" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IT’S OFFICIAL!!! The authors of INKED are proud to announce that ALL proceeds from the book will go to benefit women in need of mastectomy tattoos and tattoos that cover scars. Tattoo artist Madame Lazonga specializes in tattooing women, particularly in beautifying women who have experienced the scars that surviving cancer can leave behind. She had agreed to use the proceeds from the INKED antho for women who would like to have these restorative tattoos but might not be able to afford them. Because our anthology revolves around tattoos and women, we couldn’t think of a better cause.<br /><br />If you’d like to learn more about Madame Lazonga’s process, drop in on her website and have a look, and don’t forget to pick up a copy of INKED, out 8/25, to support a great cause! <br /><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.madamelazongastattoo.com%2F&h=jAQHRAoS2&enc=AZOOFT0Tje6K1zOcmSU7wVQno1Z5sPkwaWHlXISmiAwtcmKuDL0Nkt2zR9csh6-zRHJNZLSA-palebGYB9suOIDkBBrnMgE6fT_gjP4wYrUdlFZVnRNZ0nfjLRNVbVTGc0tKJG3ZhiVA03si4FUHrQXgGgkdC436QiiNHHbRFvJXEQ&s=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.madamelazongastattoo.com/</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Watch this space for buy links for INKED!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><br /><ol class="_3rbf clearfix" data-referrer="pagelet_timeline_recent_ocm"><div class="_5pcb _4b0l">
<br /></div>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-25246965182572969762014-08-12T10:43:00.000-06:002014-08-12T10:43:05.639-06:00Teaser Tuesday: Opening scene from HOUSE OF PAYNE, out 8/25<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijag9reAJjA4kCeul_1sXoVpx9TjY4Fik_5kygDzon0CWVYlAxINfj8jjtEOvPNZ7sNPCnOLTU7-HSSn8Hw4AEFGVcQNaJsjajOVv9jGYxwuHe1eUJOhc-jwv0wS8y7qZCFstulO34P6kD/s1600/INKED+COVER+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijag9reAJjA4kCeul_1sXoVpx9TjY4Fik_5kygDzon0CWVYlAxINfj8jjtEOvPNZ7sNPCnOLTU7-HSSn8Hw4AEFGVcQNaJsjajOVv9jGYxwuHe1eUJOhc-jwv0wS8y7qZCFstulO34P6kD/s1600/INKED+COVER+2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s Teaser
Tuesday! In less than two weeks, the INKED Anthology is scheduled to be released, so I thought it
was time to introduce to you… Becks and Payne.
Enjoy this opening scene from my full-length novel, HOUSE OF PAYNE!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">EXCERPT</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Excuse me… Becks?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Becks
Delgado turned from her study of the slush-covered streets of Chicago’s
bustling downtown area known as the Loop. Beyond the reception area’s floor-to-ceiling
windows, traffic moved at a snail’s pace, the occasional impatient honking of a
horn all but muted by the thick insulated glass. God, she hated this part of
town. <i>Hated</i>. And it wasn’t because the traffic in the financial district
was usually enough to make even a saint wish for more middle fingers. This part
of town represented death to her, in every sense of the word. Her little
brother’s life had come to an abrupt end only a couple blocks from where she
now stood, along with life as she’d known it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But
she’d had to come. And she wouldn’t leave until she had her pound of flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Yes?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
rockabilly brunette manning the reception desk smiled while flicking scarlet-tipped
fingers expertly over the surface of a tablet. “You’re in luck. Payne will see
you now. Right up the stairs and through the double doors.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
tension inside Becks ratcheted up another notch, but she nodded her thanks and
headed out of the elegant lobby of House Of Payne, Chicago’s premiere tattoo
studio. Though calling it a <i>studio</i>
was a little like calling Marilyn Monroe an attractive woman. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> House Of Payne was unique in the
world of ink, and it wasn’t shy about letting everyone know it. The difference was
noticeable right from the moment a client entered the building. Unlike other
tattoo studios, there were no tattoo stencils tacked up on walls or kept in
disorganized, well-used portfolios. Instead, state-of-the-art touchscreens embedded
into the V-shaped reception counter provided instant access to the House’s
countless exclusive designs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Clearly, only the best of the best
was accepted here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The retro-hipster atmosphere most studios
adopted was also nowhere to be found. Fashioned after upscale art galleries, House
Of Payne prided itself on paying homage to the glory and beauty of art. The
only difference was that this particular gallery worshipped living art, and the
human body was perceived as an ever-changing canvas just begging to be
decorated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> No one could overlook the
gallery-like bones of the showroom beyond the open reception area. Black marble
flooring, modular white walls, brilliant spotlighting and mobile floor displays
of stacked flatscreen TVs that matrixed together into a complete image—all of
it was a backdrop for showcasing unique artwork. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In
the center of the showroom was the true gem of the House, a 3D holographic
image beamed onto a large transparent film suspended over a gilded circular
plinth. As a 3D artist herself and an admirer of the “Pepper’s ghost” effect,
Becks knew just how much it had cost to make that holographic image happen. But
that wasn’t why she kept glancing back to that display. The 3D image, a puzzle
piece falling from a human heart and turning black with death while exposing
the demons within the organ… it was <i>hers</i>.
The quiet agony it represented was known only to her, and those demons within
her heart were still there. That missing piece of heart—that missing piece of <i>her</i>—had let the demons out when it had
died.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> There was no way she’d allow that
sacred part of her to be drawn onto every poser who came here just because they
thought it looked cool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Following the brunette’s directions,
Becks zipped up a glass brick staircase to the second floor where the tattoo
artists did their work. Each work station was discreetly housed within its own
private cubicle of frosted glass, with the subtle logo of the House Of Payne
embedded into the glass itself. The trippy strains of Pink Floyd whispered
overhead as she pushed through the closed double doors without knocking. So
what if the man inside didn’t approve of her manners? She wasn’t there to be
polite. She was there to kick the ass of arguably the most powerful man in the
tattoo industry. Knocking his head against a wall was the only kind of knocking
she had in mind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Ah, the one and only Rebecca Delgado
has finally graced House Of Payne with her presence. Gotta say, Becks, it took
you long enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> She slammed to a halt, irrationally
pissed off now that the rug had pulled out from under her. Damn it, she’d been
the one who had wanted to do the pulling. With a vexed frown, she regarded the
man lounging back against a massive glass and steel executive desk, his arms and
ankles crossed as if he’d been waiting for her his whole life. From the polished
brown leather lace-up boots to the tailored trousers, button-down dress shirt
and shocking red suspenders, he looked like he’d just strolled off a fashion
shoot. He was her definition of eye-candy, and if he hadn’t just rattled her
cage so thoroughly, she would no doubt be in danger of having to wipe the drool
off her chin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Took you long enough…?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Sebastian Payne, or Payne, was as
well-known in Chicago as Oprah or Jordan. From Hollywood’s A-Listers to
European royalty, from music moguls to the gladiators of the athletic world—they
all came to Payne for ink. His fame began years earlier when he posted a
session online with the client’s consent. The client in question had once been
a super-sweet, cavity-inducing child star before vanishing when she’d grown out
of her adorable lisping phase. She’d chosen to celebrate her twenty-first
birthday at Payne’s then-tiny parlor by getting a tattoo across her ass that
read “Fuck It Hard.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Clearly, the saccharine-sweet kid
was all grown up and itching to prove it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Payne had been more than willing to
help her scratch that itch. With the camera rolling, he’d taken the tat up on
its suggestion and had given that young woman what appeared to be the wildest,
screaming-for-God ride of her life. She was now making a name for herself in
the adult entertainment industry with a website that pulled down an estimated
seven figures annually. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Payne
had become a living legend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It probably didn’t hurt that he was
so gorgeous he didn’t seem real. With mussed tobacco brown hair, heavy-lidded hazel
eyes that suggested he’d just rolled out of an overcrowded bed and a crooked
smile full of sin, Becks had hatched her share of fantasies about him. So had every
other woman in Chicagoland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> But that was before he’d stooped to
pirating artwork off the internet like a goddamn hack.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “My, my. How remarkable you are.”
She gave herself a mental pat on the back for her calm tone. No one would have
guessed she’d spent the entire trip on the L envisioning ways of torturing him.
Almost nothing could shake her out of the cocoon of numbness she’d been in for
the past four years, but her art was an exception. If anyone dared to screw
with it, she’d make them regret the day they were born. “You’re capable of
looking me right in the eye as if you’re unaware that you’re nothing more than
a common piece of shit. I’m impressed with your testicular fortitude.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> His cocky smile dropped. She picked
it up and returned it in spades.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Common, huh?” She’d thought those
heavy-lidded eyes couldn’t get any sexier. Then he narrowed them and showed her
how wrong she could be. “Even when I didn’t have a pot to piss in, I’ve never
been <i>common</i> in my life.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Pirating artwork off the internet
and claiming it as your own is as common as they come.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “True… if that was the reality of
the situation.” He reached back behind him for a tablet identical to the
brunette’s downstairs and danced his fingers across its surface. “There. Look
familiar?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The last thing Becks wanted to do
was take the tablet. But a superior smirk was doing its damnedest to seep into
his expression, so she had no choice. A second later she clenched her jaw so her
teeth wouldn’t drop all over the carpet at the sight of a familiar invoice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Shit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*****<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>BLURB:</b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HOUSE OF PAYNE – Stacy Gail<br />
<br />
Life is supposedly what you make of it, but that’s crap as far as 3D artist
Becks Delgado is concerned. She never wanted her brother to die in a car
accident… or to be the one who was behind the wheel. Her external scars are
nothing compared to the raw wounds inside, and death seems to be the only way
to find peace.<br />
<br />
Sebastian Payne took the concept of a tattoo parlor and transformed it into a
sophisticated gallery of living art. The House Of Payne now caters to the rich
and infamous, has garnered a worldwide following, and is run by Sebastian with
an iron fist. He knows Becks is exactly what The House Of Payne needs, but
there’s a problem. The accident that changed her life left its mark on him as
well, and whether he likes it or not, it’s time to put his House in order.</span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*****</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t forget to put <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21965042-inked">INKED</a> on your Goodreads TBR list today!</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPqZJF9mbFq5ZzxTJQyzurU1cOISdb2qnfgbCbJmRkNobxLz1tbvTPyK4VNlUk0AzNQOKWWGhqfcaFQfB0WSQsYHRbsfm-p3CzBzm-p9iW_SMZSURpH3SUhp8Hr062XUVwZ5lHYWOdSd8/s1600/Tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPqZJF9mbFq5ZzxTJQyzurU1cOISdb2qnfgbCbJmRkNobxLz1tbvTPyK4VNlUk0AzNQOKWWGhqfcaFQfB0WSQsYHRbsfm-p3CzBzm-p9iW_SMZSURpH3SUhp8Hr062XUVwZ5lHYWOdSd8/s1600/Tattoo.jpg" height="392" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory tattooed eye candy. You're welcome. ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-30349457831191192862014-08-04T00:20:00.000-06:002014-08-04T00:43:18.055-06:00ONE HOT SECOND is live!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvmFvetE-qRHr_bsNRJQGktzt8DIriMlWyTuqfIs10EdCtWX-GSzS3PJ2w-SZnLFMyi54_36wncibFj1U6WLpJdwm8TN56gH9LvNauQ48Wiub7qHX0LV3XlYx4gWxRx8c_NMw92C-L5Pr/s1600/Carina_0814_9781426898785_OneHotSecond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvmFvetE-qRHr_bsNRJQGktzt8DIriMlWyTuqfIs10EdCtWX-GSzS3PJ2w-SZnLFMyi54_36wncibFj1U6WLpJdwm8TN56gH9LvNauQ48Wiub7qHX0LV3XlYx4gWxRx8c_NMw92C-L5Pr/s1600/Carina_0814_9781426898785_OneHotSecond.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chandler and Parker’s story is
finally here with the release of the 3<sup>rd</sup> book in the <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/SearchResults.htm?SearchID=11006722&SortBy=date">Bitterthorn,Texas series</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPJNL70?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00KPJNL70&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=MIOJMCP7F7ZWXXUU&=books&qid=1407133401&sr=1-8">ONE HOT SECOND</a>—YESSSSSSS! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s been a long haul getting their story from my brain to the page. Research ate up a lot of time,
but it was worth it! Chandler and Parker’s story has that sense of realism
while still being sexy as hell. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another thing that hung up ONE HOT
SECOND was, of all things, the cover art. I love the close-up of the characters
kissing on the cover, and I’ve gotten great feedback on it. But… that’s not how it originally looked.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My publisher, <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina Press</a>, sends
these detailed “art fact sheets” for authors to fill out. The more detailed
you are when you fill out your art fact sheet, the better the cover artist is going to
understand the theme, feel, mood and characters involved. Aside from describing
my characters and sending my entire <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/stacygailauthor/building-a-book-one-hot-second/">Pinterest
storyboard</a> to them, I wrote down no less than four times that it was in
Texas, summer, scorching sunshine, and set during a heat wave. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I got back was… this:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2rdCwzeuFt1YvJreEIHIO6a6BdgV0A2rdwjLMT1jgV2BB7t2lD42ZG4r1inFwe2E29H7_CcqzGFuXfpRP2j13WEIsjAKgpsyZoH64b-aS2-cETgBRsXI075AsMUU2Fsjcj9THLIZPH8D/s1600/Original+One+Hot+Second+cover.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2rdCwzeuFt1YvJreEIHIO6a6BdgV0A2rdwjLMT1jgV2BB7t2lD42ZG4r1inFwe2E29H7_CcqzGFuXfpRP2j13WEIsjAKgpsyZoH64b-aS2-cETgBRsXI075AsMUU2Fsjcj9THLIZPH8D/s1600/Original+One+Hot+Second+cover.PNG" height="400" width="252" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes. That is a blanket. They're sharing a blanket.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe that’s a scorching summer heat
wave where the artist comes from...?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember, though—all Carina covers
come from the Harlequin art department, which means they do <i>thousands</i> of book covers every year. Naturally there’s going to be a crossed wire every now and again. It’s up to
the author (read: ME) to catch these boo-boos before the covers get finalized. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, I was, err,
distracted when I got the first draft for OHS.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picture it. I’m at Adult Nationals,
rinkside with my competitive skaters, and I hear I've got mail. I even remember what was going
on at the time—a double salchow was going screwy and my skater had just hit her
knee—so I’m leaning over the boards, going, “Your knee is fine, I don’t see any
swelling.” <i>Chime sounds. Glance at tablet</i>. “Go on and do a flying camel and see how
the landing feels.” <i>Pick up tablet, glance at cover art. Redheaded woman. Dark-haired
man. Kissing. Perfect</i>. “…five. Six.
Seven… you need to hold that flying camel for EIGHT ROTATIONS. EIGHT, DO YOU HEAR ME???”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, um…. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I never saw the blanket. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until now, I’ve
been too embarrassed about my major eff-up to talk about it, but
there it is. I NEVER SAW THE BLANKET.
Dear God, somebody get me bifocals.
Or a new brain. Probably both. Yeah, I could really use both.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those who attended RWA in San
Antonio in July, you know how hellishly hot it gets in South Texas. And yes, ONE HOT
SECOND takes place just thirty miles south of San Antonio, in the fictional town of
Bitterthorn. In the summer. During a heat wave.
I totally should have seen the blanket. I KNOW.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I didn't. I didn't see it because I didn't give the cover art the attention it deserved. I am officially a naughty author.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ultimately Kingo Ng, a brilliant (and patient!) guy who handled the cover art issue, made it all work and he deserves a medal.
Mistakes will happen, and it’s up to the author—whose business is writing and
whose books are her products—to make sure everything is as perfect as can be. This mistake was totally on me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have learned my lesson. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and just in case you were
wondering, there is no blanket in ONE HOT SECOND. If there were a blanket, Chandler and Parker
would just have super-hot, extra-sweaty sex on top of it, but that would be pretty
much it. ;)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Blurb:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br />
Parker Radclyffe is up against a wall. Thorne Mansion, the mysterious
Italianate castle she's come to Texas to restore, isn't the problem. No matter
how intriguing the relic is, it's merely an ember compared to the blazing
magnetism of its owner, Chandler Thorne.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br />
When his family mansion burned down, Chandler had to watch over a hundred years
of proud history go up in smoke. After more than a year, he finally has
everything in place to rebuild, including a renowned conservation architect to
oversee the restoration. But when he lays eyes on Parker he realizes he's
gotten more than he paid for. Maybe more than he can handle.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br />
Parker is a military brat who never sits still long enough to get burned.
Chandler is her opposite, a man with deep roots and deeper family secrets. It
won't be easy to find the common ground it takes to build a home together, but
Chandler is a Thorne in every sense. He plans to stick with Parker until she
sees that love is more than worth the risk.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">64,000
words</span></b><br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">:</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPJNL70?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00KPJNL70&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=X3MBVK7X3BGNRVYK&=books&qid=1402591995&sr=1-7">Amazon</a>
| <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-hot-second-stacy-gail/1119640988?ean=9781426898785">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/one-hot-second/id884888025?mt=11">iTunes</a>
| <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=BE2E5492-7C0F-463E-80D8-A200086B6AA2">Carina
Press</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/one-hot-second">Kobo</a>
| <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_One_Hot_Second?id=jCORAwAAQBAJ">Google
Play</a></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> *****</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpDrQyw9HDYpGSnrveM7lUUJ87xE13NuyYwqHdnVT5cFm_1h9GOdjVIPp4VXcmjAgrFCb_luXmJrkK7iecMrH8tP7kV8gm-WwmzvkL_YfQgivcY25Wvh35uFC6d2oQAoGd4uTKQSvPxQw/s1600/BLOG+TOUR+BANNER+for+ONE+HOT+SECOND.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpDrQyw9HDYpGSnrveM7lUUJ87xE13NuyYwqHdnVT5cFm_1h9GOdjVIPp4VXcmjAgrFCb_luXmJrkK7iecMrH8tP7kV8gm-WwmzvkL_YfQgivcY25Wvh35uFC6d2oQAoGd4uTKQSvPxQw/s1600/BLOG+TOUR+BANNER+for+ONE+HOT+SECOND.png" height="224" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Don’t forget <a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/one-hot-second-by-stacy-gail-blog-tour/">ONE
HOT SECOND’s blog tour</a> starts TODAY. Click the link for deets!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-21915154777277915232014-08-02T09:14:00.000-06:002014-08-02T09:16:09.822-06:00ONE HOT SECOND -- First Kiss<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPJNL70?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00KPJNL70&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=RTMLWFTARQPYBJGR&=books&qid=1406943958&sr=1-8" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">ONE
HOT SECOND</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> releases this Monday!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> I'm so freaking excited!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNqvHFRkw7XGaiZPL76sCNNHRuHqYyOnpj0cKialCj3QfDMJXuS43SVJuHJ3h8pBzfFWPSUBM3GdtfCYi26yJ8QFhkabpJ3W17db4ePrdyJW-xYq0odZ9kTn9MRiErYqOHJoHNha_FAJ2/s1600/kermit+flail+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNqvHFRkw7XGaiZPL76sCNNHRuHqYyOnpj0cKialCj3QfDMJXuS43SVJuHJ3h8pBzfFWPSUBM3GdtfCYi26yJ8QFhkabpJ3W17db4ePrdyJW-xYq0odZ9kTn9MRiErYqOHJoHNha_FAJ2/s1600/kermit+flail+2.gif" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Finally I get to share the hottest—both literally and figuratively—story
to date in the <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/SearchResults.htm?SearchID=11005793&SortBy=date">Bitterthorn,
Texas</a> series. Chandler Thorne and Parker Radclyffe strike sizzling sparks
off each other from the get-go, and their first kiss is downright
incendiary. Don’t believe me? Allow me to prove it by sharing Chandler’s
and Parker’s very first kiss…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvmFvetE-qRHr_bsNRJQGktzt8DIriMlWyTuqfIs10EdCtWX-GSzS3PJ2w-SZnLFMyi54_36wncibFj1U6WLpJdwm8TN56gH9LvNauQ48Wiub7qHX0LV3XlYx4gWxRx8c_NMw92C-L5Pr/s1600/Carina_0814_9781426898785_OneHotSecond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvmFvetE-qRHr_bsNRJQGktzt8DIriMlWyTuqfIs10EdCtWX-GSzS3PJ2w-SZnLFMyi54_36wncibFj1U6WLpJdwm8TN56gH9LvNauQ48Wiub7qHX0LV3XlYx4gWxRx8c_NMw92C-L5Pr/s1600/Carina_0814_9781426898785_OneHotSecond.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Excerpt
from ONE HOT SECOND:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When
he returned with several disks, she lifted the heavy fall of hair off her neck
and fanned a hand at the overheated flesh there. “I told you Texas was hot.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It’s
not Texas.” Good grief. Did she actually say it out loud?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It’s
not?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
set the disks on a table beside her. The sound seemed loud in the sudden
stillness as he moved close enough to brush against her. It could have been an
accident, but they both knew it wasn’t. He’d invaded her space and wanted to
see what she’d do about it. “Then what is it, Parker? Tell me what’s got you
so…hot.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
knew, the bastard. “I’m hot because…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chandler
lowered his head and inhaled. Breathing her in. Though he wasn’t touching her,
somehow it was the most intimate thing she’d ever experienced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Because?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’m
hot because of you.” With a rashness that had always gone hand-in-hand with the
rest of her mercurial personality, she made her gaze slam into his with the
vaguely mad hope that it would melt him just as he melted her. “Satisfied?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Nope.”
Then he smiled, and the hunger in it was enough to make her breath back up in
her throat. “But I’m hoping I will be. Eventually.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Damn.”
She shuddered, and it made his smile widen. “When it comes to flirting, you
don’t take any prisoners, do you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Flirting’s
for indecisive suckers who may or may not know what they want.” She was so
absorbed in watching his bow-perfect lips form the words, she almost missed his
move behind her. That was why she jumped when he took the mass of hair she held
off her neck. “I don’t know if it’s right or wrong to say it—and right now I
don’t give a damn, either way—but when I look at you, Parker, I know <i>exactly</i> what I want.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
opened her mouth to say something—she had no idea what—when air danced over her
skin. The sensation was so cool and unexpected, goose bumps broke out as he
blew on her hot skin. Her pulse skyrocketed while her knees threatened to
liquefy. Yet all he was doing was blowing a soft, cool current of air over her
too-hot flesh. If he touched her…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Touch me. God, please touch me…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His
mouth brushed against the sensitive skin of her exposed nape. In an instant,
her ability to speak vanished like it had never been. Somehow that single,
feather-soft caress ignited her nerves with invisible fire. Her eyes fluttered
closed, an unconscious move to more fully revel in the tactile delight of his
touch. The feel of it was so unexpected and sweet she couldn’t stop her breath
from catching, and that one sound of unmistakable arousal all but screamed in
the room’s stillness. His whispered huff of laughter tickled along her skin
even as he let her hair slowly cascade through his fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What’s
the matter, Parker? Too much for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
teasing tone almost buried the challenge in the words, and it was a challenge
she couldn’t pass up. With her system still sizzling, she turned to face him,
only to be caught by the devouring hunger in his eyes. She’d been fooled by his
tone into thinking this was just for fun, but there was nothing playful about
how he watched her. He was focused on her with an intensity that had the power
to shut out everything in the world but him. She lifted her mouth to his,
overwhelmed by that absolute attention, and let herself fall into him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If
she had thought a faint little kiss along her nape could ignite a fire, the
erotic friction of his mouth against hers was downright nuclear. Every instinct
she possessed told her she wasn’t alone in that sensation; she felt more than
heard his breath catch in a disturbance she understood all too well as he
pulled her so close their bodies fused from chest to knee. The difference in
height and contours thrilled her, unleashing a fluttery excitement to effervesce
through her veins. Their combined body heat was so deliriously molten it made
the temperature outside seem downright temperate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A
perfect match, an absolute fit. There was no other way to describe Chandler’s
mouth on hers. She’d thought she’d understood basic physical perfection in how
separate parts could form a whole; she’d seen breathtaking examples of it in
architecture, from the stone monuments of the Mayans to the dry-stone walls in
West Ireland. Hell, even the weirdness of a glass pyramid in the middle of the
frigging Nevada desert had a kind of Bizarro-World rightness to it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But
Chandler’s kiss opened her eyes to a new reality. It was possible to believe,
if only for a moment, that two separate pieces were capable of truly becoming
one. She didn’t care that they were strangers. Nor did it bother her that she
would eventually put Bitterthorn in the rearview mirror, whereas he had roots
buried so deeply in this town it called him back, no matter how far away he
roamed. Differences were irrelevant. All that mattered was that fate had
crossed their paths to give them this delicious gift of rightness. If anything,
her wanderer’s existence had taught her to enjoy whatever came her way while it
lasted. Relationships, friendships, even places she’d once called home—were
like shooting stars to her. If she could find happiness in the time that they
were in her life, then she considered herself lucky for having experienced it
at all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parker
wasn’t sure who took the kiss deeper by opening their lips. All she knew was
that they were in a freefall of heady bliss, and she ached to push the limits
without applying any brakes. Her pulse shook her as his tongue toyed with hers,
the fingers he’d threaded through her hair tightening to pull her more fully
into the kiss. A euphoric weightlessness drugged her senses as their tongues
danced in an act so much like sex, the cleft between her thighs pulsed with a
sweetly agonizing heat. A fractured moan whispered from her mouth and into his
as the tension in her most intimate place coiled in anticipation of something
more. Something greater.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
wanted him. Strangers or not, client or not, she wanted him with an ardent hunger
that made everything else fade. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And
yet, they were only kissing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But
there had never been a first kiss like this in her life. She doubted there’d
been one like this since kissing had been invented. There was no hesitation, no
uncertainty. It was straight-up mouth-to-mouth sex without a hint of apology in
sight. She didn’t want to apologize for something so pure. If there was such a
thing as magical chemistry, she was only too happy to give herself over to it
while she had the chance, and be all the more thankful for having found it. She
could only hope he felt the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His
taste lingered on her tongue as they at last broke apart. By degrees she became
aware of faint sounds from the street outside, the raggedness of his breathing
that matched her own, and that long, invitingly blank worktable behind him. All
too well she could picture putting that blank surface to good use. She’d push
him back until his ass—an ass she suspected was just as firm as the front of
him had felt as she’d plastered her body against his—bucked up against it. She’d
coax him to sprawl back on it like a sacrifice waiting for her to do her worst.
And what she wanted to do was nothing short of ravishment. She didn’t know what
else to call the fierce desire to rip the shirt off his body so she could find
out if he looked as solidly built as he’d felt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow.
Since when had she become the kind of woman who wanted to rip men out of their
clothes?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*****<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parker
Radclyffe is up against a wall. Thorne Mansion, the mysterious Italianate
castle she's come to Texas to restore, isn't the problem. No matter how
intriguing the relic is, it's merely an ember compared to the blazing magnetism
of its owner, Chandler Thorne.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When his
family mansion burned down, Chandler had to watch over a hundred years of proud
history go up in smoke. After more than a year, he finally has everything in
place to rebuild, including a renowned conservation architect to oversee the
restoration. But when he lays eyes on Parker he realizes he's gotten more than
he paid for. Maybe more than he can handle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parker is
a military brat who never sits still long enough to get burned. Chandler is her
opposite, a man with deep roots and deeper family secrets. It won't be easy to
find the common ground it takes to build a home together, but Chandler is a
Thorne in every sense. He plans to stick with Parker until she sees that love
is more than worth the risk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">64,000
words<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUY
LINKS:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPJNL70?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00KPJNL70&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=X3MBVK7X3BGNRVYK&=books&qid=1402591995&sr=1-7">Amazon</a>
| <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-hot-second-stacy-gail/1119640988?ean=9781426898785">Barnes
& Noble</a> | <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/one-hot-second/id884888025?mt=11">iTunes</a>
| <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=BE2E5492-7C0F-463E-80D8-A200086B6AA2">Carina
Press</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/one-hot-second">Kobo</a>
| <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_One_Hot_Second?id=jCORAwAAQBAJ">Google
Play</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> *****</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpDrQyw9HDYpGSnrveM7lUUJ87xE13NuyYwqHdnVT5cFm_1h9GOdjVIPp4VXcmjAgrFCb_luXmJrkK7iecMrH8tP7kV8gm-WwmzvkL_YfQgivcY25Wvh35uFC6d2oQAoGd4uTKQSvPxQw/s1600/BLOG+TOUR+BANNER+for+ONE+HOT+SECOND.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpDrQyw9HDYpGSnrveM7lUUJ87xE13NuyYwqHdnVT5cFm_1h9GOdjVIPp4VXcmjAgrFCb_luXmJrkK7iecMrH8tP7kV8gm-WwmzvkL_YfQgivcY25Wvh35uFC6d2oQAoGd4uTKQSvPxQw/s1600/BLOG+TOUR+BANNER+for+ONE+HOT+SECOND.png" height="140" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, don’t forget <a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/one-hot-second-by-stacy-gail-blog-tour/">ONE
HOT SECOND’s blog tour</a> starting Monday. Click for deets!</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-22489386914012936422014-07-31T00:40:00.000-06:002014-07-31T00:40:29.997-06:00IF I STAY, by Tamara Morgan, is on sale NOW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n25KdsI7jNCLjZiTdufa9FAShoMscKRE008RwW5SjM8ktEHW6SQXT7G_qhVnMfFWp1zOxtptJolMGeOES_TXAG8gIToaZff2hyphenhyphen0yIbsXjhbgLihzHc86vUVA9v6Wuu_7KRzfy9v_-vOt/s1600/Promo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n25KdsI7jNCLjZiTdufa9FAShoMscKRE008RwW5SjM8ktEHW6SQXT7G_qhVnMfFWp1zOxtptJolMGeOES_TXAG8gIToaZff2hyphenhyphen0yIbsXjhbgLihzHc86vUVA9v6Wuu_7KRzfy9v_-vOt/s1600/Promo3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey, you! Yeah, you, the good-looking one who's awesome enough to drop into this blog. :D Guess what? My <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina Press</a>/<a href="http://www.samhainpublishing.com/">Samhain</a> buddy, <a href="http://www.tamaramorgan.com/">Tamara Morgan</a> just found out she's got a huge sale coming up--woohoo!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I15YGG0?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00I15YGG0&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=KZ6TWPWYSAYO6YY2&refRID=1SKE9K6Y2FWRYQDJ15EG">IF I STAY</a> is on sale from today until August 6th for only <b>ninety-nine pennies</b>, y'all. That's it. Less than a freakin' buck. In other words...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>$0.99!!!!!!</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a deal so good it'll make you slap your mama and do the hula.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Question is, why now? IF I STAY is the first book in Tamara's new "Upstairs, Downstairs"-style contemporary romance series, Montgomery Manor, published by Carina. The second installment, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPJNL7U?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00KPJNL7U&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=DMABO2ZLYWRNN6LS&refRID=0HE3C7QVWQZPC3GJJFJD">WHEN I FALL</a>, is out August 11th, so it's time to celebrate its imminent release by getting you lovely readers caught up! IF I STAY will only be on sale for a super-short time, so don't miss out on getting the first book in this fabulous series!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Buy Links:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I15YGG0?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00I15YGG0&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=WS4CVO6WFP6CWW7R&refRID=1SKE9K6Y2FWRYQDJ15EG">Amazon </a>| <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/if-i-stay/id827450407?mt=11">iTunes </a>| <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-i-stay-tamara-morgan/1118327873?ean=9781426898198">Barnes and Noble</a> | <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=01B89EBF-F9C2-4199-A352-33115D3531BD">Carina Press</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/if-i-stay-3">Kobo </a>| <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Tamara_Morgan_If_I_Stay?id=lZmoAgAAQBAJ&hl=en">Google Play</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTLm7ln4rt7loytwDkRPwMUmzxfE1DDo9RK6vBCaVxmc2EzYL64NkPWb8SPG1EYSshnqnokTRjFlz0bz_TOqqLJ8zVuKRLnKisdvCd2Pmb8KXN36zK9gjVL5GIZsq_dC3FmTFtmcFgF8F/s1600/Promo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTLm7ln4rt7loytwDkRPwMUmzxfE1DDo9RK6vBCaVxmc2EzYL64NkPWb8SPG1EYSshnqnokTRjFlz0bz_TOqqLJ8zVuKRLnKisdvCd2Pmb8KXN36zK9gjVL5GIZsq_dC3FmTFtmcFgF8F/s1600/Promo2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-27440006916273897692014-07-28T06:00:00.000-06:002014-07-28T18:36:36.712-06:00Blog Tour Schedule for ONE HOT SECOND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpDrQyw9HDYpGSnrveM7lUUJ87xE13NuyYwqHdnVT5cFm_1h9GOdjVIPp4VXcmjAgrFCb_luXmJrkK7iecMrH8tP7kV8gm-WwmzvkL_YfQgivcY25Wvh35uFC6d2oQAoGd4uTKQSvPxQw/s1600/BLOG+TOUR+BANNER+for+ONE+HOT+SECOND.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpDrQyw9HDYpGSnrveM7lUUJ87xE13NuyYwqHdnVT5cFm_1h9GOdjVIPp4VXcmjAgrFCb_luXmJrkK7iecMrH8tP7kV8gm-WwmzvkL_YfQgivcY25Wvh35uFC6d2oQAoGd4uTKQSvPxQw/s1600/BLOG+TOUR+BANNER+for+ONE+HOT+SECOND.png" height="224" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A WEEK FROM TODAY IS THE RELEASE OF </strong></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPJNL70?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00KPJNL70&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=SZFXC7AIRGC3JGTD&=books&qid=1406522303&sr=1-8" style="line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">ONE
HOT SECOND</span></strong></a><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><strong>!!!!</strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yeah, I’m a little excited about it, heh. ^_^ And I’m looking forward to the blog
tour as well, hosted by Debra at <a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/one-hot-second-by-stacy-gail-blog-tour/">Book
Enthusiast Promotions</a>! (Side note: Debra drinks awesomesauce every morning with her Wheaties, I'm absolutely sure of it.) I’m giving away a $25 Amazon GC, a $10 Amazon GC and
a complete ebook set of the Bitterthorn series from <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina Press</a>. The more you follow along the blog tour, the more chances you have to
enter. :) Here’s the schedule:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;">August 4</span></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://booksaz.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Books A to Z</span></a> | <a href="http://robertasdreamworld.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Roberta’s Dreamworld</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;">August 5</span></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thebookenthusiast.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">The Book Enthusiast </span></a>|<a href="http://bookaholicanon.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;"> Book-A-Holic
Anon</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;">August 6</span></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://booklunaticramblings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Ramblings of a Book Lunatic</span></a>
| <a href="http://shortandsassybookblurbs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Short and Sassy Book Blurbs</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;">August 7</span></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://pennyfmtbb.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Penny for my thoughts book blog</span></a> | <a href="http://www.coffeetalkwriters.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Coffee Talk Writers</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;">August 8</span></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Crazy Four Books</span></a> | <a href="http://bookloversobsession.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Book
Lovers Obsession</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;">August 11</span></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bujoijoi22.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Bujoijoi22</span></a> | <a href="http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Author Sandra Love</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;">August 12</span></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cheekypeereadsandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Cheekypee reads and reviews</span></a>
| <a href="http://givemebooksblog.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Give Me Books and Boxes</span></a> | <a href="http://ashleysaddictivebookblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Ashley’s Addictive Book Blog</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;">August 13</span></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://lustfulliterature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Lustful Literature</span></a> | <a href="http://thesassybookista.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">The Sassy Bookista</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #910827; font-size: 12pt;">August 14</span></u></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lovesromancebooks.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Love Romance Books</span></a> | <a href="http://booklitlove.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Book
Lit Love</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;">August 15</span></b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Deal Sharing Aunt</span></a>
| <a href="http://undercoverbookreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #910827;">Undercover Book Reviews</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you on the bloggy trail! :D<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Lerx9C_AouLJwr3QQd4aOfNjkGKpiobtCK7uo9fTDRW0KUB8sg1IvkUCfcVwz4MFQmPA8Ib8fFtn3BSdChdFnuQQX2c3L_Gt7frngsXI4_XzdQpTvtkSMt9HuuQTyZDZ14K1m3kStPBK/s1600/Carina_0814_9781426898785_OneHotSecond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Lerx9C_AouLJwr3QQd4aOfNjkGKpiobtCK7uo9fTDRW0KUB8sg1IvkUCfcVwz4MFQmPA8Ib8fFtn3BSdChdFnuQQX2c3L_Gt7frngsXI4_XzdQpTvtkSMt9HuuQTyZDZ14K1m3kStPBK/s1600/Carina_0814_9781426898785_OneHotSecond.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></span></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blurb
for ONE HOT SECOND:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parker
Radclyffe is up against a wall. Thorne Mansion, the mysterious Italianate
castle she's come to Texas to restore, isn't the problem. No matter how
intriguing the relic is, it's merely an ember compared to the blazing magnetism
of its owner, Chandler Thorne.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When his
family mansion burned down, Chandler had to watch over a hundred years of proud
history go up in smoke. After more than a year, he finally has everything in
place to rebuild, including a renowned conservation architect to oversee the
restoration. But when he lays eyes on Parker he realizes he's gotten more than
he paid for. Maybe more than he can handle.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parker is a
military brat who never sits still long enough to get burned. Chandler is her
opposite, a man with deep roots and deeper family secrets. It won't be easy to
find the common ground it takes to build a home together, but Chandler is a
Thorne in every sense. He plans to stick with Parker until she sees that love
is more than worth the risk.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">BUY LINKS:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPJNL70?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00KPJNL70&linkCode=shr&tag=stagaificfri-20&linkId=JCEDZNGSON6Y2ETP&=books&qid=1406524995&sr=1-8">AMAZON </a>| <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/one-hot-second/id884888025?mt=11">iTUNES </a>| <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-hot-second-stacy-gail/1119640988?ean=9781426898785">B&N</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/one-hot-second">KOBO </a>| <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_One_Hot_Second?id=jCORAwAAQBAJ&hl=en">GOOGLE PLAY</a></span></b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-71546395557269011702014-07-11T08:35:00.001-06:002014-07-11T10:53:16.228-06:00Coe's story has a NEW TITLE!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess what? The 4<sup>th</sup> Bitterthorn, Texas
book, NOT-SO-SHINING ARMOR, has been officially renamed! Coe’s Thanksgiving-themed book is now….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">WHERE THERE’S A WILL</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m pretty damned pleased with this spiffy new title,
because a Last Will and Testament is the reason the heroine, Miranda
Brookhaven, is dragged back to Bitterthorn.
Both Miranda and Coe have so much baggage they need a trolley to help
cart it around, and all that extra stuff has to do with each other. Whether they like it or not, this Will is
going to force them to deal with their sh!t, and while they’re dealing, they might
even scrape together a little happiness. We’ll see. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WHERE THERE’S A WILL is being released in November,
by <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina
Press.</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unofficial
blurb for WHERE THERE’S A WILL:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Miranda Brookhaven is
back in Bitterthorn for one reason—to return patent rights to their true
owner, Coe Rodas. Years earlier, her father callously used her relationship
with Coe to steal the design of an ingenious fuel valve. Now her father's dead,
and she’s stuck with righting a wrong that lost her the two men who had once
meant the world to her.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Coe’s dreams of hitting
it big were gutted when Miranda, a little princess if there ever was one,
stabbed him in the back and stole his valve. But to his surprise, Miranda is
the one who feels <i>she</i> was wronged. To add to his confusion, the
once-pampered princess can’t afford to buy milk, lives in a condemned trailer
in that hellhole where he grew up, Garden Court… and everything he thought
he knew might be wrong.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
It’s irrelevant to Miranda that Coe believes her superpower is the ability to
hold a grudge. What matters is that he can no longer get under her skin. But as
Thanksgiving rolls around, the spirit of the season threatens to open her
ferociously closed-off heart. Or maybe it's not the season at all. Maybe
it's Coe, who seems determined to play the role of knight in not-so-shining
armor.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-37279290264058721162014-06-22T23:48:00.000-06:002014-06-23T11:58:15.115-06:00So Much News! <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buckle up, folks. This post is going to
be a wild ride, and it begins in 3…2…1…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BLAST-OFF….
WITH COE RODAS THIS FALL!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great news for those waiting for Coe’s
story! NOT-SO-SHINING ARMOR has been
offered a contract from <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/8949835D-847A-4E33-B8A8-56613D04AFF0/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina Press</a>, according to a recent email from Angela
James (who edited the novella in which Coe was introduced, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Scratch-Bitterhorn-Texas-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00EFPO5KM/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_5_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403397936&sr=1-5">STARTING FROM SCRATCH</a>). At last, Coe gets a story and an HEA all his own! FYI, NOT-SO-SHINING ARMOR just might be the most romantic, swoon-worthy book I’ve
ever written. But of course, those who read it will be the ultimate judge of that, heh. All I know is that I kept wishing a man like Coe was waiting in the wings to sweep me off my feet... with a bottle of milk in hand. (Okay, that doesn't sound very romantic, but trust me. It is. ^_^)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, as for when to look for Coe's book... Angela somehow worked a miracle in getting this Thanksgiving-themed
book on Carina's publishing schedule <strong>this upcoming November</strong>. I’m
so excited about this, but even more than that I'm
grateful she found a way to make this magic happen. I get the feeling she must have jumped through flaming hoops to get the job done, so I think I might owe her wine or chocolate or something. Any suggestions?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cffkNr5QUSx1qaMi4e64XHGTvEhMQxOBU5dSxVfpukwFUQfir1hX54VutS8-bjgeb-V3t30iP-HL_xIhLJJLQxIq3PU5yipvXg8mtsP3bW6627iP2DHwMeWEt94eAVY7mOTXLKLFQBvX/s1600/Coe+and+Miranda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cffkNr5QUSx1qaMi4e64XHGTvEhMQxOBU5dSxVfpukwFUQfir1hX54VutS8-bjgeb-V3t30iP-HL_xIhLJJLQxIq3PU5yipvXg8mtsP3bW6627iP2DHwMeWEt94eAVY7mOTXLKLFQBvX/s1600/Coe+and+Miranda.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My inspirational pic of Coe and Miranda. This is just how they look to me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The unofficial blurb I whipped up for
NOT-SO-SHINING ARMOR:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Miranda Brookhaven is back in Bitterthorn for one reason—to
return patent rights to their true owner, Coe Rodas. Years earlier, her father
callously used her relationship with Coe to steal the design of an ingenious
fuel valve. Now her father's dead, and she’s stuck with righting a wrong that
lost her the two men who had once meant the world to her.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Coe’s dreams
of hitting it big were gutted when Miranda, a little princess if there
ever was one, stabbed him in the back and stole his valve. But to his surprise,
Miranda is the one who feels <em>she</em> was wronged. To add to his confusion, the
once-pampered princess can’t afford to buy milk, lives in a condemned trailer
in that hellhole where he grew up, Garden Court… and everything he thought
he knew might be wrong.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s irrelevant to Miranda that Coe believes her superpower is the
ability to hold a grudge. What matters is that he can no longer get under her
skin. But as Thanksgiving rolls around, the spirit of the season threatens to
open her ferociously closed-off heart. Or maybe it's not the season at
all. Maybe it's Coe, who seems determined to play the role of knight in
not-so-shining armor.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BITTERTHORN,
TEXAS<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I received an email from Harlequin’s Carrie
Holden with some neat news. Since I keep
basing stories in Bitterthorn, Texas, someone decided it should now be AN OFFICIAL SERIES! Okay, big whoop, it was already pretty much a
series anyway, but from this point on, all Bitterthorn books will be easier to find. Errr, at least I think that's all it means. *scratches head* But that still deserves a yay, right?</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Pssst! Did you know I’ve sketched out at least five
more books for this busy little town in Texas? Yup, for reals. And, knowing how my brain works, those five are
just the tip of the iceberg.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ONE
HOT SECOND<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of the Bitterthorn series, the
third book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Hot-Second-Bitterhorn-Texas-ebook/dp/B00KPJNL70/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_9_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403398171&sr=1-9">ONE HOT SECOND</a>, is now up for pre-order everywhere, releasing August 4th!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember the Thorne Mansion that burned down
in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ducklings-Finish-First-Bitterhorn-Texas-ebook/dp/B00CC68FWK/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_2_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403398214&sr=1-2">UGLY DUCKLINGS FINISH FIRST</a>? It’s
time to rebuild it, but the ruin still has a few secrets in
it that will reshape the town for all time. Don’t forget to put it on your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22447049-one-hot-second">Goodreads TBR</a>
list!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1CCiR5PZC_onn-wvM9WU3g-pbwYd7K1JShZ5sssH_8-tE-EhF4b16GeU6mi9Ta7wfu1pAhsBaVjHr20_PbHEnI42F8m6jeGu7fb9USv0r0f3eHTkd6zrtG6RsUcHpEUfV3jX0_EGr1Dk/s1600/Carina_0814_9781426898785_OneHotSecond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1CCiR5PZC_onn-wvM9WU3g-pbwYd7K1JShZ5sssH_8-tE-EhF4b16GeU6mi9Ta7wfu1pAhsBaVjHr20_PbHEnI42F8m6jeGu7fb9USv0r0f3eHTkd6zrtG6RsUcHpEUfV3jX0_EGr1Dk/s1600/Carina_0814_9781426898785_OneHotSecond.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Official blurb for ONE HOT SECOND</span></u></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Parker Radclyffe is up against a wall. Thorne Mansion, the mysterious
Italianate castle she's come to Texas to restore, isn't the problem. No matter
how intriguing the relic is, it's merely an ember compared to the blazing
magnetism of its owner, Chandler Thorne.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When his family mansion burned down, Chandler had to watch over a hundred
years of proud history go up in smoke. After more than a year, he finally has
everything in place to rebuild, including a renowned conservation architect to
oversee the restoration. But when he lays eyes on Parker he realizes he's
gotten more than he paid for. Maybe more than he can handle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Parker is a military brat who never sits still long enough to get burned.
Chandler is her opposite, a man with deep roots and deeper family secrets. It
won't be easy to find the common ground it takes to build a home together, but
Chandler is a Thorne in every sense. He plans to stick with Parker until she
sees that love is more than worth the risk.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Pre-Order Links:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Hot-Second-Stacy-Gail-ebook/dp/B00KPJNL70/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_7_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402591995&sr=1-7"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">, </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-hot-second-stacy-gail/1119640988?ean=9781426898785"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">Barnes and Noble</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">, </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/one-hot-second/id884888025?mt=11"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">iTunes</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">, </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_One_Hot_Second?id=jCORAwAAQBAJ"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">Google Play</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">, </span><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/one-hot-second"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">Kobo</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">, </span><a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/One-Hot-Second/Gail-Stacy/Q895521364?id=6025926363432"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">BAM</span></a></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></strong>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BLOG
TOUR SIGN UP <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m going to be doing a two-week blog
tour/giveaway starting 08/04/14, and it needs bloggers! If
interested, feel free to sign up! I promise I’ll try not to be boring, heh. :P<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U2-bS-0ZqSCAGVGqcENtqMh4TD7t8Bz92s3-kZ3g5fI/viewform">ONE
HOT SECOND sign-up</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">INDIE
WATERS, DEAD AHEAD!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In late April, a longtime buddy
of mine called (seriously, we’ve known each other since those awkward teen
years :D). This friend wanted to know if
I wanted to be a part of an indie anthology she was putting together revolving
around the theme of tattoos. Opportunity was knocking and, as I’ve never been
rude to opportunity before, I answered. I started the first draft of HOUSE OF
PAYNE April 26<sup>th</sup>, and wrapped it up June 20<sup>th</sup> with a little
over 62K words. Not a bad haul for fifty-five days of work. :)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn’t mean for it to
be as angsty as it turned out to be, and I confess that I went through two
Puffs tissue boxes writing it. But the ending!
Oh, the ending. *satisfied sigh* I actually caught myself going, “Awwwww”
as I wrote the HEA. I love it so much when a
book can wring that much emotion out of me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the way, wanna know who called me? <a href="http://www.jadecjamison.com/">Jade C. Jamison</a>, one of the
hottest rock-n-roll romance authors <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jade-C.-Jamison/e/B004XO696S/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1403398494&sr=1-2-ent">Amazon’s got going</a>. She’s my hero and I love
her to pieces! I just hope HOUSE OF PAYNE will be worthy of being in her
collection, which she's entitled <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21965042-inked">INKED</a>. It’ll be on sale as an anthology for a month, and then we
get to do whatever we want with our individual books. I honestly don’t know
what I’ll do with HOUSE OF PAYNE—dip my toe in the self-publishing waters on my own, maybe? *is bemused... and intimidated*<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I do know. I LOVE the world I’ve
created in HOUSE OF PAYNE. I'm talking crazy-love here, folks. Better yet, the characters within the House are starting to whisper
to me. I suspect there will be at least
a couple more stories coming from that world, and probably more. Can't wait! ^_^</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX36Yj8R0yrpXpkJkOs8HAdvbQrrwUUNkEkebGphTF4e5RfpP7HYeJoUVre29Yu6I3yrMdOdiGt7ueY9Di7h4nuEHEvQGzmP8L1E_fhlZgmGZOhX9JvjV1mRhQt_qt3CieMj-nDsqI9L6H/s1600/INKED+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX36Yj8R0yrpXpkJkOs8HAdvbQrrwUUNkEkebGphTF4e5RfpP7HYeJoUVre29Yu6I3yrMdOdiGt7ueY9Di7h4nuEHEvQGzmP8L1E_fhlZgmGZOhX9JvjV1mRhQt_qt3CieMj-nDsqI9L6H/s1600/INKED+cover.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">INKED has an expected release date for August 25th -- don't miss it! :D</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Offical blurb for HOUSE OF PAYNE:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Life is supposedly what you
make of it, but that’s crap as far as 3D artist, Becks Delgado is concerned.
She never wanted her brother to die in a car accident… or to be the one who was
behind the wheel. Her external scars are nothing compared to the raw wounds
inside, and death seems to be the only way to find peace.<br />
<br />
Sebastian Payne took the concept of a tattoo parlor and transformed it into a
sophisticated gallery of living art. The House Of Payne now caters to the rich
and infamous, has garnered a worldwide following, and is run by Payne with
an iron fist. He knows Becks is exactly what House Of Payne needs, but there’s
a problem. The accident that changed her life left its mark on him as well, and
whether he likes it or not, it’s time for Payne to put his House in order.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ONE
LAST THING…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ySENE2aFGCt_bTyXA5UqS3yM0XT6lzdS9fnI5oZBB4cZB6GaeYOkCgRClfFfuiFNuI2sGPx54HDu0SRsLMH9ctEr_l6s5U2N5Km7kV4EHvMgESVKI4ZR13UktDs9n8bZkA59U_QBQ6VK/s1600/Birthday+Monday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ySENE2aFGCt_bTyXA5UqS3yM0XT6lzdS9fnI5oZBB4cZB6GaeYOkCgRClfFfuiFNuI2sGPx54HDu0SRsLMH9ctEr_l6s5U2N5Km7kV4EHvMgESVKI4ZR13UktDs9n8bZkA59U_QBQ6VK/s1600/Birthday+Monday.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’d like to wish a very happy birthday
to the part-time owner of my brain, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alyse-Carlson/e/B009NVD66W/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1403502607&sr=1-1">Alyse Carlson</a>/<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hart-Johnson/e/B00FBE34J4/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1403502728&sr=1-2-ent">Hart Johnson</a>! She’s a great beta reader, the most prolific
writer I know, and so brilliant in so many ways that when she finally decides to
give back our shared brain, she’s sucked all the smarts out of it. Happy birthday, Your Tartness!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHOKkDLNeSeBH8Wi9BDr-auumvXxJk37LMZocjmh-3GFZuJ7ZSPaDuGhR8OP6TlYjhOMH2vvmRs-X6GpOxRXcOgBNHmJBP-5zrk6Zrny9q0YNI_1igt1a_CynM9WBkL8tN02vcBl2n6BD/s1600/Hart+Johnson+Covers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHOKkDLNeSeBH8Wi9BDr-auumvXxJk37LMZocjmh-3GFZuJ7ZSPaDuGhR8OP6TlYjhOMH2vvmRs-X6GpOxRXcOgBNHmJBP-5zrk6Zrny9q0YNI_1igt1a_CynM9WBkL8tN02vcBl2n6BD/s1600/Hart+Johnson+Covers.JPG" height="112" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A SHOT IN THE LIGHT<br />
An AMAZING serial from Hart Johnson<br />
Now in the final 5 in the AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL AWARD!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span>Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-17488778545084834662014-04-21T10:05:00.001-06:002014-04-21T18:43:34.547-06:00Writing Process<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JwA-M7NWirAHAclKXcgauyw5gngldx6LMrCxmB0xyR2HGpU5pgcN-jp-y_QlrEzqB-NQnP7w0_gPie9-cifo_VqD7y_jYdQaFpxh_f8FUrTeWbjOz_7HpOqkehtrylnggMXRCmZ0Js02/s1600/Hart+Johnson+Covers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JwA-M7NWirAHAclKXcgauyw5gngldx6LMrCxmB0xyR2HGpU5pgcN-jp-y_QlrEzqB-NQnP7w0_gPie9-cifo_VqD7y_jYdQaFpxh_f8FUrTeWbjOz_7HpOqkehtrylnggMXRCmZ0Js02/s1600/Hart+Johnson+Covers.JPG" height="112" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ever-fabulous <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hart-Johnson/e/B00FBE34J4/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1398092348&sr=1-2-ent">Hart
Johnson</a>/<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alyse-Carlson/e/B009NVD66W/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1">Alyse
Carlson</a> tagged me in a blogging challenge that had to do with sharing our
writing process, so what the heck? Here we go!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First off, I’ve always got ideas percolating in my
head when it comes to stories. I’ve learned to wait until one story bullies all the
others aside and demands to be told (don’t ask where the ideas come from,
because I’m thinking aliens).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEuMQ2wp0w3gVAMTDYUv99C0Id23kpVcO97vS1SGMPfYNyEi9_DvlRPfGKbdyBh9Ocy7bysvTBBJB4DDKoPbuJObIVZ06xsb8IFRe5z-eDRVhUecdIHy2eEQ5SipT_9Kmnau66KQBNHNY/s1600/story+ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEuMQ2wp0w3gVAMTDYUv99C0Id23kpVcO97vS1SGMPfYNyEi9_DvlRPfGKbdyBh9Ocy7bysvTBBJB4DDKoPbuJObIVZ06xsb8IFRe5z-eDRVhUecdIHy2eEQ5SipT_9Kmnau66KQBNHNY/s1600/story+ideas.jpg" height="320" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I sit down with my baby name book and find the
most suitable names for the main characters. Seems like a weird thing to do, right? I
know name choice doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it’s one of the biggies in
my process. In <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/SearchResults.htm?SearchID=10968884">The Earth Angels</a> books, the descendants of the Nephilim all
had names related to their angelic progenitors. Every time I used their name, I
was anchored to the concept that these characters I was writing
about had a huge burden to deal with—the burden of not being as human as they
would like to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I start with a chapter-by-chapter outline. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmih8HArpD06HOfZPOx_5MdIN_LROEMIIB7Zff2VbLdC12VsvgIsvK-UuorsGIjY6eS__6e0HXGpUt3DGJ8sUAW0JM-E16OkvEV6LahGM8A3s6_OjHERR9hyH6oAxvE3CS-XGgiXyjpLNt/s1600/Discipline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmih8HArpD06HOfZPOx_5MdIN_LROEMIIB7Zff2VbLdC12VsvgIsvK-UuorsGIjY6eS__6e0HXGpUt3DGJ8sUAW0JM-E16OkvEV6LahGM8A3s6_OjHERR9hyH6oAxvE3CS-XGgiXyjpLNt/s1600/Discipline.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
usually do this by putting pen to paper, rather than crawling under my laptop.
Again, I don’t know why, </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">but for me there’s something just so personal,
even intimate, about writing in longhand. And as I put all the thoughts in
order, it’s like a movie unfolds in my head. If I have big, pivotal scenes that
don’t have a bridge connecting them, I pick at it until one shows up. This
detailed outline might take a day or a week, but by the end of it, I’ve got an
entire book ready to go.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsDpJsGhoaok-WjcO4k363Ruwl8cPraP8BVy8jYP8VFopAGegcRuP_MkhU6Tyr4b-rw6Za8c1sbFugnnkNew3BDt5A28b0Q0rqdFp-SIo8vE8sGhIqCct_PFWcddx0d1OzkpJ9Iy9LDd4/s1600/writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsDpJsGhoaok-WjcO4k363Ruwl8cPraP8BVy8jYP8VFopAGegcRuP_MkhU6Tyr4b-rw6Za8c1sbFugnnkNew3BDt5A28b0Q0rqdFp-SIo8vE8sGhIqCct_PFWcddx0d1OzkpJ9Iy9LDd4/s1600/writing.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then comes the actual writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first draft, for me, is this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRejgRfhTE7yIwCsqQ9Tnee08LtaiCyVaOkRscLJfM0G86ocpcq6QnYr1oY8UgHVtofYwq52MYwZ8OjFI_yfxaMch_3XArARWxgQ2mcVmiWWiBkq6b8rXY2byg9Y39OaNvnsJqvBiDaNUR/s1600/first+draft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRejgRfhTE7yIwCsqQ9Tnee08LtaiCyVaOkRscLJfM0G86ocpcq6QnYr1oY8UgHVtofYwq52MYwZ8OjFI_yfxaMch_3XArARWxgQ2mcVmiWWiBkq6b8rXY2byg9Y39OaNvnsJqvBiDaNUR/s1600/first+draft.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t sweat the details too much during the first
draft. If I’ve got a problem, I highlight it in bright neon yellow and move on.
If I need to plug something into the plot, I use Track Changes in MS Word to
make a note of it. But beyond that, it’s nothing but <i>writing</i>. Three or four hours a day of word-making usually yields
around 2k-3k, and that’s my goal on non-EDJ days. I stick to that schedule
religiously, and that’s how I get things done.
And that’s the whole point, right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was supposed to contact fellow writers and ask
what their process is, but I thought I had until the 28<sup>th</sup> to do it
(apparently I put the Pro in procrastinate, heh). So I didn’t get around to it (<a href="http://waterytart23.blogspot.com/">sorry,Hart/Alyse</a>!), but since process was a Twitter convo I had with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jodie-Griffin/e/B007O7CV2C/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1398096787&sr=1-2-ent">Jodie Griffin</a>
and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kinsey-Holley/e/B003800RHA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1398096705&sr=1-2-ent">Kinsey Holley</a> about three weeks ago, <a href="http://kinseyholley.com/?p=1295">I’m throwing that post in from Kinsey</a>
as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you have a writing process?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-49979774205405439532014-04-04T01:45:00.002-06:002014-04-04T12:18:57.149-06:00DANGEROUS ANGEL--The Reviews Are In! Plus Giveaway Continues<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwXnipvBSSELh3wzuRCFnq7q1RlSJU6A9Vvrv4ORNSPoDNND4gj2SbwXLIGAkKa_VIWTp7ldcakAtp_GTZxPKHALDGYdZaVTQWYLDRgGCMphvFUWI0jeua2xtXKY9Vyiwdfjrf_eT3gai/s1600/Time_flies_why_web.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwXnipvBSSELh3wzuRCFnq7q1RlSJU6A9Vvrv4ORNSPoDNND4gj2SbwXLIGAkKa_VIWTp7ldcakAtp_GTZxPKHALDGYdZaVTQWYLDRgGCMphvFUWI0jeua2xtXKY9Vyiwdfjrf_eT3gai/s1600/Time_flies_why_web.gif" height="225" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wow, my week-long
blog tour is almost over! Time flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it? ;)
Next week I’m in Cape Cod for Adult Nationals, so I’m going to have to switch
career hats and give my adult students all the attention they deserve (and I’ve
yet to figure out how to put a blog post together from rink side, heh). But
once I’m back, watch this space for more DANGEROUS ANGEL excerpts and
giveaways. You can also sign up for my brand spankin’ new newsletter over there
on the right of the screen. And yeah—I said <i>spankin’</i>.
Heh. :D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For now, though, I’m
delighted to share a few DANGEROUS ANGEL reviews—they’re looking great so far!
*happy dance* I was soooooooooooo worried that no one would really “get” Kyle,
thanks to his ADHD tendencies, but all that worrying I did was for nothing.
*sigh* When am I going to learn that worry is a terrible waste of an
imagination?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But I digress…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I loved this 4-star review from Kimberly at <a href="http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2014/03/dangerous-angel-stacy-gail.html">The Caffeinated Book Reviewer:</a></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>"Fans of paranormal romances, heat
and kick-ass angels, will enjoy Dangerous Angel and the </em></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/92473-earth-angels" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Earth Angel series</em></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>. I would really like to
see Gail write a full-length paranormal romance. I have enjoyed watching her
grow and hone her skills throughout this series, and now I want to see her fly."</em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
</span></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here’s what Steph of Book-A-Holic Anon (one of my fave book blogs)
wrote in her <a href="http://bookaholicanon.com/2014/03/31/dangerous-angel-stacy-gail-4-5-stars/">4.5
star review of DANGEROUS ANGEL:</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I enjoyed the heart, humor and
heat that winds thru this entire series but this installment had the best
chemistry in the main pair. Trust me there will be many times when you
can’t help but laugh at Kyle’s antics and the banter between the pair. They
really are a fun read even with the harder moments."</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">From the always-amazing Jen of <a href="http://twimom227.com/2014/03/review-dangerous-angel-by-stacy-gail.html">That’s
What I’m Talking About</a> in her 4-star review:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"One thing I adored most is that
Kyle and Nikita share an intense and immediate chemistry. They have known each
other for a few years, and their shared history comes helps foster a more
powerful relationship. Right from the start, their play is highly sensual and
attractive. What makes their dynamic so explosive is that Kyle and Nikita both
are full of pent-up passion, yet both keep their emotions under tight control.
When they are together, they each tempt that control, and together they are an
explosion ready to detonate. So hot!"</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I snort-laughed
at this from Kelly at <a href="http://paranormalbookreviews-kelly.blogspot.com/2014/04/dangerous-angel-by-stacy-gail-review.html">Reading
the Paranormal’s</a> 5-star review:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I've enjoyed all the books in
this series, but I think Kyle's devil-may-care attitude might be my favorite. I
also think I said the last book was my favorite. Which just goes to show that
Stacy Gail gives good angel. (Gawd, somebody tweet that and credit it to me so
I can preen and buff my nails when it goes viral.)"</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And
I’m positively giddy over this 5-star review from Beth at <a href="http://www.tometender.blogspot.com/2014/03/dangerous-angel-release-day-blitz-and.html">Tome
Tenders</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Gail created a
nail biting plot that tied in the previous characters we've gotten to know
through out this series. What a conclusion! I was on pins and needles wondering
how they where going to face this newest foe! The romance is rocky but Kyle is
the BEST Hero - Alpha Male - EVER! He takes his love for Nikita to an entirely
new level. Kyle is definitely swoon worthy!"</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>This 5-star review from Brooklynn at </strong></span><a href="http://cecesreviews.blogspot.com/2014/04/review-dangerous-angel-by-stacy-gail.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Celestial
Reviews</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong> made me want to hug her:</strong></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I have been a fan of this series from the start.
Its just so kickass and paranormal. And, once again, I am sucked into a world
so fascinating it was hard to put the book down. </span>From the beginning,
Dangerous Angel is action packed and at times funny. Im just so... overwhelmed
that I cant even find the right words to write this review. Im just raving! As
the fourth, and sadly final, book in the series, you would expect it to lag
because everything is coming to an end. I think I can safely say that this book
DOES NOT DO THAT!”</em></span><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>And </strong></span><a href="http://amdrane2.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Angela</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>
from Goodreads said in her </strong></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/882580372?book_show_action=true&page=1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>5-star
review</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>:</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>“I loved this book! I've been a fan since the
beginning of this series, but this is definitely my favorite (so far). The fact
Kyle and Nikita are bounty hunters that compete against each other to see who's
the best puts a fun sexy twist on their relationship. Plus it helps that Kyle's
beach bum persona is just a little bit yummy. Nikita being a strong
take-no-shit woman just made Kyle work a little harder and made it worth it in
the end. Looking forward to Menlo's book and maybe even more Nephilim we
haven't met yet. Recommend this series to anyone looking for a different take
on angels and demons.”</em></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m so grateful each one of these
reviewers took time out of their busy lives to read my story, and then went a
step further by writing a review to post on their websites and elsewhere. I can’t
tell you how much I appreciate all that they do. Book bloggers everywhere are
my rock stars. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sound interesting? Read on if you’d like to learn
more about DANGEROUS ANGEL:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Book four of the Earth Angels series</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miami's best bounty hunter, Nikita Tesoro will do anything to collar a
fugitive, including stepping into a stripper's stilettos for the night.
Outsmarting her rival Kyle Beaudecker is just a bonus. Despite the sexual
tension sparking between them, Nikita keeps a professional distance from
"Hurricane" Kyle. After all, she can't get hurt if she doesn't care.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A descendant of the archangel Barakiel with the power to harness
electricity, Kyle should be focusing his energy on tracking down a demon that
may be hiding in the human realm. But he's a lover, not a fighter, and he'd
much rather use his special talents for pleasure: specifically Nikita's. And
teaming up to find a bail jumper means spending lots of time together…</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But when their case takes a turn for the demonic, Kyle can no longer hide
his true nature from Nikita. He'll do whatever it takes to win her heart—even
stop the apocalypse. But he can't do it alone.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">80,000 words<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Buy links for pre-ordering DANGEROUS
ANGEL:</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_13_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390876728&sr=1-13">Amazon</a><span style="color: blue;"> | </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dangerous-angel/id802842285?mt=11">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-angel-stacy-gail/1117366853?ean=9781426898099">Barnes
and Noble</a><span style="color: blue;"> | </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_Dangerous_Angel?id=oSRCAgAAQBAJ&hl=en">Google
Play</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dangerousangel-1411017-149.html">ARe</a> |
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dangerous-angel">Kobo</a> |
<a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=9BB4C69D-879B-4189-89B1-8EEFC3325C83">Carina
Press</a></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow, you read all the way to this
point? You should be rewarded with… a DANGEROUS ANGEL giveaway! ^_^</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d4e3522/" id="rc-d4e3522" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-78562687241602495352014-03-31T01:33:00.003-06:002014-03-31T01:33:54.360-06:00It's RELEASE DAY for DANGEROUS ANGEL!!! Oh, how to describe it...?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Woooooo! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_12_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396195715&sr=1-12">DANGEROUS
ANGEL</a> is out today!!! Time to bust out a happy dance!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahD2hybTGGMJ5aoN1e1WyjARUY0PSvZ9DXDEPJQ7iKQHrMEzK6py-rg4cM0Uc24AWjZjCaFrBJzzLpsfZiymGXrZg2mtmDnBaK6J-IShORwKUe7wsv6-hk-eskcSzbVXLvss1cRxwtc0V/s1600/happy+dance+5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahD2hybTGGMJ5aoN1e1WyjARUY0PSvZ9DXDEPJQ7iKQHrMEzK6py-rg4cM0Uc24AWjZjCaFrBJzzLpsfZiymGXrZg2mtmDnBaK6J-IShORwKUe7wsv6-hk-eskcSzbVXLvss1cRxwtc0V/s1600/happy+dance+5.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s hard to describe what it’s like to release a
book. I mean, the whole process of creating a book starts off so
innocuously. First, there's the sudden flash of inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnZ7GgzwGToTGPF6XaCUmBWnp66HwscQTdNvkWCPlnJMADrrSJqfxzxt6kcyj8LmwV6nHodv0GIx2xwTbtTU_Dp_Mkhl8qlcULYwf2fJJbPfkXgT5-yj3l5kblka9HpjiaV44PRmoegwI/s1600/Aha+moment.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnZ7GgzwGToTGPF6XaCUmBWnp66HwscQTdNvkWCPlnJMADrrSJqfxzxt6kcyj8LmwV6nHodv0GIx2xwTbtTU_Dp_Mkhl8qlcULYwf2fJJbPfkXgT5-yj3l5kblka9HpjiaV44PRmoegwI/s1600/Aha+moment.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it’s just an idea. A germ.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I suppose it’s like having
imaginary friends who have a life that's waaaaay more interesting than yours will ever be. Sad, but true. :P</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QlkH-UYevRLcLx94D4CVnIoQNgZetIFiZIOJGQcp6oC8RHFja1cuvQfoOFLsFwQBM4nzBaVJyxjUJEn1ysoSaM_7bbYN9gvua0YkCyY4dgfzoSc1ACGSHc7EnHI6iL9A2bW2p6Gf5TgZ/s1600/imaginary+friends.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QlkH-UYevRLcLx94D4CVnIoQNgZetIFiZIOJGQcp6oC8RHFja1cuvQfoOFLsFwQBM4nzBaVJyxjUJEn1ysoSaM_7bbYN9gvua0YkCyY4dgfzoSc1ACGSHc7EnHI6iL9A2bW2p6Gf5TgZ/s1600/imaginary+friends.gif" height="338" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I've got an idea, I stitch together the basic outline. Then I do a
chapter-by-chapter outline.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vJXHlRuRtAYVx4CF4v4-oKKH2kXNx_NAVEjCwxw5xuDsdmub5mB3qwvjih5WLtyO03A3DL73fYMMFdEd2RiICZn9FFBt6KOW9XEHwQkqZ3N2CXqnass_dDfuGm-dtXSUGtVjFztOzS8B/s1600/typing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vJXHlRuRtAYVx4CF4v4-oKKH2kXNx_NAVEjCwxw5xuDsdmub5mB3qwvjih5WLtyO03A3DL73fYMMFdEd2RiICZn9FFBt6KOW9XEHwQkqZ3N2CXqnass_dDfuGm-dtXSUGtVjFztOzS8B/s1600/typing.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During my own personal creative process, every now and again I’ll run into trouble...</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsn-QPN1j_hldFYUi9VF4xtA-A09UkhcuZjh1LFC7pbEBJ-CMcuqkYBmesre83V0Ht4_Yl2lcijp2ehC1SvV0fxl4IaBrwtGGm-_nZ3u-_ULpN_T7kNw0-oBvK2sThn1wmuuP3IMi057j/s1600/headdesk.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsn-QPN1j_hldFYUi9VF4xtA-A09UkhcuZjh1LFC7pbEBJ-CMcuqkYBmesre83V0Ht4_Yl2lcijp2ehC1SvV0fxl4IaBrwtGGm-_nZ3u-_ULpN_T7kNw0-oBvK2sThn1wmuuP3IMi057j/s1600/headdesk.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There have been times when I've been absolutely convinced I can't put two words together...</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vI5wa32uHuzMq0fUxvCwfO5_cpncgN_d5e5qb_lDLusT0hVJr9GykiqpovSwK4d-EWrsWq0yQW9YIfZQRDUrwWvDx87QD71ybuBfxwoYWgt2XTdIoYLyXUuztQRJzbbhR1utMqPHmQsP/s1600/Terrible+idea.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vI5wa32uHuzMq0fUxvCwfO5_cpncgN_d5e5qb_lDLusT0hVJr9GykiqpovSwK4d-EWrsWq0yQW9YIfZQRDUrwWvDx87QD71ybuBfxwoYWgt2XTdIoYLyXUuztQRJzbbhR1utMqPHmQsP/s1600/Terrible+idea.gif" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">...and I’ll admit that
I’ve slammed into my share of plot walls.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuHT8h9CvqydibLLGU0h-0F9Hv3zZRSeHnYigY9CAsqVU0-xB7eLldXZ4WM5yCiUU460FQQ9gVArlBs7DcshcSlSWys_VWCDGo35KR7BRpGy9oEePeEinBMSW6mqHJPyhnHKjmBwBzjSW/s1600/cussing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuHT8h9CvqydibLLGU0h-0F9Hv3zZRSeHnYigY9CAsqVU0-xB7eLldXZ4WM5yCiUU460FQQ9gVArlBs7DcshcSlSWys_VWCDGo35KR7BRpGy9oEePeEinBMSW6mqHJPyhnHKjmBwBzjSW/s1600/cussing.gif" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But like the professional I am, I persevere. I persevere thanks to my excellent coping skills.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-9x2VGhJfOu8Iug_XM7kdBYp1EmY_FKS-pwHM2YKjhhmMaPtNb-1oJS67Y6lsvPuCG39a8tRjByzSTR_gte7koeZJWhxwLBkPJRJTm8o21pieeLjE5f65zT6WKD3crqqyisex3DkuWNr/s1600/talk+to+some+food.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-9x2VGhJfOu8Iug_XM7kdBYp1EmY_FKS-pwHM2YKjhhmMaPtNb-1oJS67Y6lsvPuCG39a8tRjByzSTR_gte7koeZJWhxwLBkPJRJTm8o21pieeLjE5f65zT6WKD3crqqyisex3DkuWNr/s1600/talk+to+some+food.gif" height="181" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the book is done and I’ve told the story I wanted to
tell, I send it off in the hope that some editor somewhere will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed
writing it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-tFFyp-fnJxCSkYnzouxHW2TyqNZtbPLwGhjyeFunPfrG9YjX-tY0hgDLab4CPiRTcvgptTIkiaaYFOFDQ90NYis_1GKCZB-hrkNDo26APUMzx4hhgDxrvbn0HjXBBwx99sNlKGvT3Hs/s1600/PLEASE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-tFFyp-fnJxCSkYnzouxHW2TyqNZtbPLwGhjyeFunPfrG9YjX-tY0hgDLab4CPiRTcvgptTIkiaaYFOFDQ90NYis_1GKCZB-hrkNDo26APUMzx4hhgDxrvbn0HjXBBwx99sNlKGvT3Hs/s1600/PLEASE.gif" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I’m lucky enough to have it accepted…</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHl4RH71QFrCHJfNpIZungmmjyaOrGlfLiCQTNS2KFopbuPw5dpcgmNZV1oSBuGSZ27WAkw4hXn8T9WEbBeWpSL4lnpQ8gW-0ekQACXVcpAMhzQ9gaIn9QY8ToVbtvY2UfhYgKdFdFtq6h/s1600/yes.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHl4RH71QFrCHJfNpIZungmmjyaOrGlfLiCQTNS2KFopbuPw5dpcgmNZV1oSBuGSZ27WAkw4hXn8T9WEbBeWpSL4lnpQ8gW-0ekQACXVcpAMhzQ9gaIn9QY8ToVbtvY2UfhYgKdFdFtq6h/s1600/yes.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…it’s a mad dash through several rounds of edits.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXgiXCxVYn580ULBs1sm8l58atdgYINSvXdciONxZr4snhVvKLXOVGajNeYfdR-axEbCuobTWmRVOBIQOsyZ2rNgV-ww2rQBO7VZiw3uq-UJw8N5aZcFstLJSMsQKB1NMXCiNbawbseIo/s1600/treadmill+fail+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXgiXCxVYn580ULBs1sm8l58atdgYINSvXdciONxZr4snhVvKLXOVGajNeYfdR-axEbCuobTWmRVOBIQOsyZ2rNgV-ww2rQBO7VZiw3uq-UJw8N5aZcFstLJSMsQKB1NMXCiNbawbseIo/s1600/treadmill+fail+1.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I know it, RELEASE DAY looms on the horizon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWnwR2ZdtGY38_wHl_4WGJskC9OrslH6ttM7m0gLyP_gUAkXNHazwGPgxdooWuCORexfyLp2fblktV1y3neOwQzDNQ3buYpMLl9RukxS4R11lE6N_OyaSIn4lgbh8Sh5O04vL8-oUcfOt/s1600/spyglass.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWnwR2ZdtGY38_wHl_4WGJskC9OrslH6ttM7m0gLyP_gUAkXNHazwGPgxdooWuCORexfyLp2fblktV1y3neOwQzDNQ3buYpMLl9RukxS4R11lE6N_OyaSIn4lgbh8Sh5O04vL8-oUcfOt/s1600/spyglass.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve got tons to do, including contacting various
bloggers to see if they might be interested in hosting a guest post, or maybe even
reviewing the book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS7p39b5k9Fbj6JCRRaVhrLCutHyriqdW5dCLsRR-WeReErig6l7jl2FUm6bgfEwQKF0rr8W3J_JmUKs0-d0-Z-14b80lhyphenhyphen7fxgcQWK-LlO_M0R1gg08cr4DYhmqUvyMVW295r_O8-le5/s1600/judging+you.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS7p39b5k9Fbj6JCRRaVhrLCutHyriqdW5dCLsRR-WeReErig6l7jl2FUm6bgfEwQKF0rr8W3J_JmUKs0-d0-Z-14b80lhyphenhyphen7fxgcQWK-LlO_M0R1gg08cr4DYhmqUvyMVW295r_O8-le5/s1600/judging+you.gif" height="142" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It gets a little stressful, but again I'm a professional. I can handle it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y22hbp9TcJ5hyphenhyphenogubydErAtTf25JYxolaIl8Iundq9eE1P6NvsU4ETvgVbfSKd3G0vy2KmAKalZS239XlfLQaxJWdGw9zieAPD5KwNHGn_XFsyUH1pojCa7jWRw4fhpeDN645OxtsC1i/s1600/Sheldon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y22hbp9TcJ5hyphenhyphenogubydErAtTf25JYxolaIl8Iundq9eE1P6NvsU4ETvgVbfSKd3G0vy2KmAKalZS239XlfLQaxJWdGw9zieAPD5KwNHGn_XFsyUH1pojCa7jWRw4fhpeDN645OxtsC1i/s1600/Sheldon.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then it happens. Release day finally dawns, and
after weeks and months of gearing up for my book-baby’s debut… I'm totally
unprepared.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZKrtEgBTztb_SJUtXcCAcH1JTuxaEbyykzzFurK552wF7DmIw0-YsJImUS2Kh3i3kf40Bd5xQfg1Tg00bKycspN51KHgRg68-9vR8m3BLZQdFYeOJPyouv2HtVrYcvKnXAvhdcuyGEwp/s1600/I+can%2527t.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZKrtEgBTztb_SJUtXcCAcH1JTuxaEbyykzzFurK552wF7DmIw0-YsJImUS2Kh3i3kf40Bd5xQfg1Tg00bKycspN51KHgRg68-9vR8m3BLZQdFYeOJPyouv2HtVrYcvKnXAvhdcuyGEwp/s1600/I+can%2527t.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously, I have NEVER felt prepared. Not once.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5UPQC4ZTGEAbPg5FQMfhZvhuHZMZgtCtHa203Z9gUfHtd7bT-3dJaEvmpJeVxqsQJGhCqmRSEsI7DwY9uQT486cTY4dlOtUsexmpB8zzaE57zi8tz2JtAn_X0R3sfaC7mDGB54GDW1sD/s1600/I+regret+this+decision.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5UPQC4ZTGEAbPg5FQMfhZvhuHZMZgtCtHa203Z9gUfHtd7bT-3dJaEvmpJeVxqsQJGhCqmRSEsI7DwY9uQT486cTY4dlOtUsexmpB8zzaE57zi8tz2JtAn_X0R3sfaC7mDGB54GDW1sD/s1600/I+regret+this+decision.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But somehow, it always turns out all right.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTO9r4DNr-16gXrQPex581kltrHK6bJE1n2tiGB_zdNdl_pf8kIaichPLDPdvvZBYYJVcPdDpV-ilDUKgAeXd8Rj9rpxW2v0qr8_Nxw6k7S5pKhuGDkahD72zb1Esgr_b9DxYukp_VLsF/s1600/I+didn%2527t+die.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTO9r4DNr-16gXrQPex581kltrHK6bJE1n2tiGB_zdNdl_pf8kIaichPLDPdvvZBYYJVcPdDpV-ilDUKgAeXd8Rj9rpxW2v0qr8_Nxw6k7S5pKhuGDkahD72zb1Esgr_b9DxYukp_VLsF/s1600/I+didn%2527t+die.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And really, what is there to freak out about? I dreamed something up, sat
my ass down in a chair and brought that sucker out into the freaking world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_U2rKJeFkuIRaJKvhgIYDFB0WAmkhNCAXZYpwFLspEaKnoMROinf_gP10KMoSFueP2WfCVolArD3Lluey08aPcZR8CWMlN_Br1ALJTSKzHwoJr2AcAlCGzixFK9frd8g04XKk_fOYR1y/s1600/I+can't+feel+my+butt.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_U2rKJeFkuIRaJKvhgIYDFB0WAmkhNCAXZYpwFLspEaKnoMROinf_gP10KMoSFueP2WfCVolArD3Lluey08aPcZR8CWMlN_Br1ALJTSKzHwoJr2AcAlCGzixFK9frd8g04XKk_fOYR1y/s1600/I+can't+feel+my+butt.gif" height="156" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s a pretty huge deal, and it’s something to be
proud of.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bfHCDROVz0GVkEwVERA84_khmThIIi7JqPIAyseXf5MYCWCIEo87_BVzC7btgg-CZJsNyHgrUXd3lMcgzjdtXyCQRdcmjHGsjKkPZ0kvBqqQrdQPkT60kVMyPvC6ooSnMWdFLudpId15/s1600/self+high+five.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bfHCDROVz0GVkEwVERA84_khmThIIi7JqPIAyseXf5MYCWCIEo87_BVzC7btgg-CZJsNyHgrUXd3lMcgzjdtXyCQRdcmjHGsjKkPZ0kvBqqQrdQPkT60kVMyPvC6ooSnMWdFLudpId15/s1600/self+high+five.gif" height="142" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so proud of DANGEROUS ANGEL, and it still feels like a dream that I've now published my
first-ever series with the amazing <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina Press</a> (231,000+ words later!!!). The happiness that I feel is almost indescribable. Well... actually, this gif comes close:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeztCcXo63BTfzA1SfbsIYSGPYNrKf3Wrp3F4-yto6Cfy0JfKjRybDSh0oueHovEXD22Dj2d-4URTjO8GP1ItpwetYh108Q8Dzm_XvJ5Q9nqyMDGcvnbwsMPk2XvzvwinMfNHNoNDJ8P2u/s1600/penguins+and+butterfly.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeztCcXo63BTfzA1SfbsIYSGPYNrKf3Wrp3F4-yto6Cfy0JfKjRybDSh0oueHovEXD22Dj2d-4URTjO8GP1ItpwetYh108Q8Dzm_XvJ5Q9nqyMDGcvnbwsMPk2XvzvwinMfNHNoNDJ8P2u/s1600/penguins+and+butterfly.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penguins frolicking after a butterfly. OMG.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I’m going to get through this release date with nothing
but a grin on my face… and maybe a bottle in my hand. :D<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuj_V496u8yoXe2IH5MofkCcSev3B1DRbbfej-B3d48wR9RAwuqTAc2gC6nHj80mP7r26kUsUGuLSWr8sF71xVyyAreE1FdaemQNtzgSuOl4SnSFaw2Q6hBfcF2czEWAxwOn7DBTv98cj/s1600/drink.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuj_V496u8yoXe2IH5MofkCcSev3B1DRbbfej-B3d48wR9RAwuqTAc2gC6nHj80mP7r26kUsUGuLSWr8sF71xVyyAreE1FdaemQNtzgSuOl4SnSFaw2Q6hBfcF2czEWAxwOn7DBTv98cj/s1600/drink.gif" height="161" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br />
Buy links for ordering DANGEROUS ANGEL:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_13_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390876728&sr=1-13">Amazon</a> | </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dangerous-angel/id802842285?mt=11">iTunes</a> | </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-angel-stacy-gail/1117366853?ean=9781426898099">Barnes
and Noble</a> | </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_Dangerous_Angel?id=oSRCAgAAQBAJ&hl=en">Google
Play</a> |<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dangerousangel-1411017-149.html">ARe</a> |<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dangerous-angel">Kobo</a> |<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=9BB4C69D-879B-4189-89B1-8EEFC3325C83">Carina
Press</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dangerous
Angel Giveaway<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d4e3522/" id="rc-d4e3522" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-83497696797374738412014-03-30T08:58:00.000-06:002014-03-30T13:32:09.879-06:00DANGEROUS ANGEL giveaway has begun!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Release day for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_12_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396191616&sr=1-12">DANGEROUS ANGEL</a> is tomorrow!!!!</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XVLd07bXKbnPjFxo38JjCKfRhd6oFzX6FzC0Yiv9DRBiaGUn5kVQBctVLqDEmzy6zXdbtAVLDN5DFwUrrIaANsnxjS53LxFDDAPz0KXFJRuBJvFN9h20Z6THZrrj9kkbuZaEiFxbKafi/s1600/kermit+flail+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XVLd07bXKbnPjFxo38JjCKfRhd6oFzX6FzC0Yiv9DRBiaGUn5kVQBctVLqDEmzy6zXdbtAVLDN5DFwUrrIaANsnxjS53LxFDDAPz0KXFJRuBJvFN9h20Z6THZrrj9kkbuZaEiFxbKafi/s1600/kermit+flail+2.gif" height="230" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m doing a week-long blog tour to celebrate, and I’m kicking things off with a Sunday
Snippet at <a href="http://linkis.com/twimom227.com/2014/0/wv8yi">That’s What I’m Talking About</a>, a great blog for getting the scoop on
all the latest and greatest books out there. While you’re there, why not check
out the site? ;)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Since this is the last book in The Earth Angels
miniseries, I thought I’d hit it BIG with the giveaway! :D The prizes are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*$25 Amazon GC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*$10 Amazon GC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*A complete ebook set of The Earth Angels<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The more you enter, the more chance you have of
winning. Yay!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow (RELEASE DAY!!!) is a big day in the blog
tour. Stop by each of these lovely
book-blogging sites throughout the week, read some snippets from DANGEROUS ANGEL and enter to win a
prize. Easy, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">See you on the blogging trail! :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Blog-hop schedule:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3-30: <a href="http://linkis.com/twimom227.com/2014/0/wv8yi">That’s What I’m Talking About</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3-31: <a href="http://tometender.blogspot.com/2014/03/dangerous-angel-release-day-blitz-and.html">Tome
Tender</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3-31: <a href="http://ginsbooknotes.com/">Gin’s Book Notes</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3-31: <a href="http://www.stella-exlibris.com/2014/03/guest-post-by-stacy-gail-giveaway.html">Stella Ex Libris</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4-1: <a href="http://carinapress.com/blog/">Carina Press Blog</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4-2: <a href="http://bookaholicanon.com/">Book-A-Holic Anon</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4-3: <a href="http://cecesreviews.blogspot.com/2013/12/review-sugar-and-salt-by-pavarti-k-tyler.html">Cece’s Reviews</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4-5 My blog<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t forget to pick up the exciting conclusion to
The Earth Angels, available TOMORROW!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br />
Buy links for pre-ordering DANGEROUS ANGEL:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_13_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390876728&sr=1-13">Amazon</a> | </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dangerous-angel/id802842285?mt=11">iTunes</a> | </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-angel-stacy-gail/1117366853?ean=9781426898099">Barnes
and Noble</a> | </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_Dangerous_Angel?id=oSRCAgAAQBAJ&hl=en">Google
Play</a> |<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dangerousangel-1411017-149.html">ARe</a> |<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dangerous-angel">Kobo</a> |<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=9BB4C69D-879B-4189-89B1-8EEFC3325C83">Carina
Press</a></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dangerous
Angel Giveaway<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d4e3522/" id="rc-d4e3522" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-67114617256288722442014-03-27T12:44:00.000-06:002014-03-27T12:44:45.158-06:00Throwback Thursday--WOUNDED ANGEL reveals the demonic villain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wheee, next Monday is the release of
DANGEROUS ANGEL, the final book in The Earth Angels miniseries! *happy dance* I
have a week-long blog tour/giveaway planned, including a $25 Amazon GC, a $10
Amazon GC and a complete ebook set of The Earth Angels, so keep an eye out for
wherever I’m stopping. The more you enter, the greater chance you’ll have of winning. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For now, though, let’s focus on a quick
flashback to WOUNDED ANGEL, the 3<sup>rd</sup> book in The Earth Angels series.
The scene I’m highlighting today is the first time the demonic villain comes
out in the open to confront a member of the Nephilim, a descendant of an angel of vengeance, Nate da Luca… <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii86i2-r3-UXKdczsO3GCRW4TrfEuZa1U_IeR0AEahNqjh4I61azS58HSxIh_-BzUmZ4njcrst_ABKubfMF8uQZy7x3_DIGo7PsWN1u4C-bGyiBuEewWBajfG4W6wTag1wpKJemcS7Em_S/s1600/WoundedAngelFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii86i2-r3-UXKdczsO3GCRW4TrfEuZa1U_IeR0AEahNqjh4I61azS58HSxIh_-BzUmZ4njcrst_ABKubfMF8uQZy7x3_DIGo7PsWN1u4C-bGyiBuEewWBajfG4W6wTag1wpKJemcS7Em_S/s1600/WoundedAngelFinal.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Richard took a step forward, like
a magnet drawn to steel. “Gabriella Littlefield? Is that you?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“You’re either deaf or learning
impaired.” Nate was reduced to growling. He was so uncomfortable with having a
Rainier that close to Ella he couldn’t seem to get his jaw unclenched. “I’ve
already told you I haven’t yet found Gabriella Littlefield. Now get your
pampered little ass back in your car and get out of here before I decide you’re
a threat to my continuing investigation.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“No need to be so rude, Nate.” Ella’s
smile made a razor seem dull by comparison. Just when he was on the verge of
throttling her for stumbling out into the open where anything could happen, he
saw in the heart of her smile she thought she knew what she was doing. “This
man seems to be confusing me with someone else. Why don’t we invite him and his
companion inside for coffee? I’m sure we can clear this up.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Coffee?</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Dear God, was
she frigging <i>crazy?</i> “I don’t know if
you want to let this guy get too close. For some reason people have a tendency
to drop dead around the Rainier family.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>He was almost positive Richard
shot him a scathing glance behind his sunglasses before he peeled them off to
look closely at Ella. “Are you wearing contacts? Colored contacts?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ella blinked her baby browns. “Are
you usually this forward with complete strangers?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“The thing is, my dear,” Richard
said with the élan of countless generations of moneyed Rainiers behind him, “I
don’t believe you and I are what you’d call <i>complete</i>
strangers.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“Like I said, I think you’re
confused. I’ve never seen you before in my life, pal.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“Yet you don’t seem to be too curious
as to whom I might be, or why I’m here.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ella’s hesitation lasted less
than a heartbeat, but Nate wanted to wince at the painfully obvious misstep. “Nate
seems to know you, so that’s good enough for me. Why don’t you bring your
friend out and we can all go inside and talk, instead of having my neighbors
hear every single word we say?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“There really isn’t much more to
say.” Richard reared back as if the mere thought of entering a lavender house
was simply beyond him. “I was so hoping I could steal an opportunity to extend
my deepest regrets to Ms. Littlefield in person, but apparently you’re not her.
And that being the case, I suppose it’s time for me to get out of your way.” Smooth
as ever, he offered his hand to Nate. “Hope I didn’t intrude precipitously on
your investigation, Mr. da Luca. It really was quite an education meeting you.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“Yeah, I’m—” Whatever Nate had
been about to say dissolved the moment he made straight-on eye contact with
Richard.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Red</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Just a flash. Barely there, way
down deep. But definitely red.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Shit.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The hand clasping Rainier’s
tightened convulsively, making the other man’s eyes widen. That action showed
off the flash of red all the more. It was something he’d never seen before, like
camera-flash red-eye without the camera. Ella hadn’t reacted to any strangeness
in Richard’s eyes when he’d looked at her, so it wasn’t something she could
see. But even more than that, it was the sensation of piercing pain behind his
eyes that made him realize, at long last, what the hell he was dealing with.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>At some crooked point along the
way, Richard Rainier had done the unimaginable and sold his soul.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Richard began to claw at Nate’s
hand. “Mr. da Luca…let go!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ella stepped forward. <i>“Nate</i>…<i>”</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Nate barely heard them. Instinct shoved
higher reasoning aside like the weak nancy it was and took control. In one move
he spun the other man around and sprawled him on top of the hood of the Caddy.
He then cranked the other man’s arm so far behind his back, Richard’s hand
could have easily made nice with his shoulder blade. A high-pitched, almost
girlish yelp escaped Richard before Nate shoved the side of his face onto the
hood of the car with a resounding bang. If he wanted to see a demon, he’d be
more than happy to show him one up close and personal.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“Nate!” Someone was pulling on
his arm. A voice reached him through the raging need to avenge two innocent
women who should still be alive—a sweetly compelling voice that now sounded
almost terrified. The searing heat that thundered through his muscles eased to
a sullen simmer, but oh, he wanted to obliterate the useless idiot in the worst
way. “Nate, for God’s sake, stop!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“I know what you’ve done, Rainier.”
It would have been so easy, so ridiculously easy to keep twisting the arm until
that satisfying pop signaled its dislocation from the rest of the body. The raw
power sang in him, a siren’s lure to smash everything tainted by unspeakable evil,
and only through sheer force of will was he able to hold it back. “I know
you’ve made some kind of sick deal with a devil you don’t even know in order to
get to me. I should probably care about that, but I don’t. You know why?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The other man made a tortured
mewling sound. “I’ll… I’ll call the police! You’ll pay for t-touching me, you <i>thug</i>.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“I don’t care about the deal
you’ve made, because I’m so happy you’ve damned your eternal ass. And the
cherry on top of that happiness sundae is this—it’s not going to make one
fucking bit of difference. Whatever you’ve traded your soul for isn’t going to
happen. I’m going to make sure I stand in your way no matter what it costs. Now,
you make sure you say hello to your piece of shit brother when you see him in
hell, you hear? I’ll do my level best to send you there just as soon as I can.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A car door slammed and the pain
in Nate’s head nearly blinded him. He looked through a wince to see a lovely
blonde woman come to a stop. She was startling in her perfection—her long blond
hair a pale cascade down her back, her golden skin warm and sun-kissed, her
little Kewpie doll mouth an innocent pink and wreathed with a smile that didn’t
match the occasion. And her eyes…<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The screaming neon red of pure
demon.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blurb
for WOUNDED ANGEL:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><i>Book three in The Earth Angels</i></strong><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A descendant of the Angel of Vengeance, Nate da
Luca was gifted with an uncanny ability to find things. It made his job as a
detective a breeze—until he learned the hard way that some things should remain
hidden. After that, his powers vanished, along with his belief in himself.
Which is going to make tracking down Gabriella Littlefield for his latest
client a challenge.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Personal trainer Ella Little paid a hefty price
for her life—now all she wants is to live it in peace. Then a sexy hulk of a
man turns up in her gym, reigniting desires she thought she'd left behind along
with her real name and hair color.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Desires she can't deny even after she discovers
Nate's no stranger to her dark past.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Before he can convince her the attraction is
mutual, Nate's going to have to earn Ella's trust. But a demon is playing for
keeps in the world of humans, using Ella as bait, and the last thing they have
is time…<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><em>Go back to the beginning with</em> Nobody's Angel, <em>available now!</em><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>63,000 words</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Book 1: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nobodys-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00A22UVNW/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395945270&sr=1-1">Nobody's Angel</a> (novella)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Book 2: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00A9V2XJQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_4_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395945285&sr=1-4">Savage Angel</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Book 3: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wounded-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00BED26UE/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_5_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395945343&sr=1-5">Wounded Angel</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Book 4: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_12_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395945374&sr=1-12">Dangerous Angel</a></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">BUY LINKS:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/38A530B5-CB1E-4F2A-B760-5147BA37BA07/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=D42942DA-7DD1-4ABC-9BAB-ED4CFD8221D1">Carina
Press</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wounded-Angel-Earth-Angels-ebook/dp/B00BED26UE/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1366943990&sr=1-4&keywords=stacy+gail">Amazon</a>,
<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-woundedangel-1161571-140.html">ARe</a>,
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wounded-angel-stacy-gail/1114811856?ean=9781426895531">Barnes
& Noble</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_Wounded_Angel?id=S29lUbGgm8MC&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImJvb2stUzI5bFViR2dtOE1DIl0.">Google
Play</a>, <a href="http://www.ebooks.com/1127407/wounded-angel/gail-stacy/">ebooks.
com</a>, <a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Wounded-Angel/book-w20aasAFfEWjOMLgjJ7g2g/page1.html?s=0t1mG7-FA024zgOiZavhLA&r=3">Kobo</a>,
<a href="https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/stacy-gail/wounded-angel/_/R-400000000000001007618">Sony</a>,
<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B00CQ5VYNO&qid=1373138015&sr=1-1">Audible</a>,
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/stacy-gail/id444014253?mt=11">iTunes</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-48864762672048870082014-03-25T10:48:00.000-06:002014-03-25T10:51:11.109-06:00Teaser Tuesday--DANGEROUS ANGEL's out next week, so here's a HUGE teaser!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_11_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395765947&sr=1-11">DANGEROUS ANGEL </a>is out next week!!!!!!!!!!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_PHFg4lKOifEGFf1TlJQrkQyk20ZffBHxJ64LdKlWmM8tinoMrigHeBmXfVP8FLRCObuInHuzgr1onzo2AgHtB_IOYM6KraaxV5tJWwyP3mCUgPD5sdsKvAzAPGgT-BYnaMUGcg0a4V4/s1600/confetti+dance.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_PHFg4lKOifEGFf1TlJQrkQyk20ZffBHxJ64LdKlWmM8tinoMrigHeBmXfVP8FLRCObuInHuzgr1onzo2AgHtB_IOYM6KraaxV5tJWwyP3mCUgPD5sdsKvAzAPGgT-BYnaMUGcg0a4V4/s1600/confetti+dance.gif" height="172" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can tell, I’m a bit excited about the
conclusion of The Earth Angels miniseries published by <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina Press</a>, so bear
with me, please. ;) This four-part series
has been building toward this action-packed finale, and I just can’t wait to
share what happens with everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In fact, why wait?
Here’s a glimpse of the edge-of-your-seat conclusion to the demonic
apocalyptic story arc that is... The Earth Angels. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Oscar, you’re being
a dick,” Nikita muttered to the storm. In response, it seemed to take personal
offense and pelted rain down on Kyle’s car all the harder. It was the main
sound in her world now that the muscle car’s powerful motor was silent, the
engine ticking as it cooled while she sat in the empty parking lot of a dry
cleaners across the street from the sprawling Cobalt Apartment complex. She
tried to shut out the storm’s violence, but since it couldn’t be any wetter
than if she’d parked under Niagara Falls, that was pretty much impossible. Logic
told her that since she could barely see beyond the windshield, she should
abandon the spot and look for cover, like a gas station with a convenient
overhang.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Logic could go to hell. She wasn’t about
to distance herself any further than necessary. The dry cleaners would have to
do. As she maintained her position about a football field’s length away from
where Kyle and the others lay in wait to pounce on Bambi and her keeper, Nikita
had no doubt it would be a clash that neither heaven nor earth would soon
forget. With something that bad going down, she had to be far enough away so
that Dantalion couldn’t feed on her, while at the same time be close enough
should Kyle need her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ha. Now there was a joke if she’d ever
heard one. Like Kyle would ever <i>need</i>
her help. With a derisive twist to her mouth, she glanced at her phone to
reread his last text after she reported her position: <i>“Make sure to stay out of the way. We’ve got it from here.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nice. Always the charmer, that Kyle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a short huff, Nikita shoved the
phone into her pocket so she wouldn’t look at it again. Looking at it only made
her feel sorry for herself, because it cut right to the heart of her new
reality. For years she’d labored under the illusion that she and Kyle were on
equal footing. But surprise, surprise—the man was playing with a genetically
stacked deck. There could never be equal footing with a man who had no equal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just her luck, to fall for such an
impossibly magnificent man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The floor of her stomach dropped at the
wayward thought, just as two shadows emerged from the blinding gray sheets of
rain. Horrified by the notion she might have fallen in love with Kyle while the
world was doing its damnedest to come to an end, she hastily pushed it to the
back of her mind as the two people almost crashed into the hood of the car. A
ragged gasp tore from her throat when she saw it was a half-drowned Kyle with
none other than an equally soaked Bambi Dominguez in tow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t believe it.” Frantic, Nikita hit
the button that unlocked the car even as Kyle reached for the back passenger
door and flung the elusive Bambi Dominguez inside. “I <i>can’t</i> believe it, that was so fast! Are you okay? Is everyone—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Drive. Just drive.” Kyle dived into the
passenger seat, wiping the water out of his face as he slammed the door behind
him. “The farther we get Dantalion’s meat puppet away from here, the easier
it’ll be for the Nephilim to send him to hell.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I thought you said Dantalion could leach
energy off of anyone—it doesn’t have to be just his proxy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Do you really want to sit here and
argue the matter?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Good point.” She wasted no more time in
heading back down Biscayne Boulevard toward the closed causeway, with no real
destination in mind. “So what happened out there? Is it finally over?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Over?” From her place in the backseat, Bambi
let loose a high-pitched, eerie laugh that went right along with her oddly
sing-song tone. “Over for me, over for you, it’s all over for you-know-who.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Good grief.” Risking a glance in the
rearview mirror at the other woman, Nikita couldn’t see much of her except
dark, lank hair covering half of her too-thin face, and an ear-to-ear grin that
would have done The Joker proud. “I take it our little jump has gone around the
bend and straight into la-la land?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Oh, yes. Dear little Bambi is long
gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nikita couldn’t help but feel a twinge
of pity. No matter what a user Bambi was, no one deserved to be twisted inside
out by a demon. “Poor girl. I know it’s a small thing at this point, but I
suspect Dibby Biers is going to take that news pretty hard.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Dibby is a twin.” As Nikita maneuvered
the car around a lake-sized puddle, she chanced another look at their passenger
only to find the disquieting vision of Bambi chewing on a wet hank of hair
while rocking side to side in her seat. “A <i>real</i>
twin. Not a fake twin. The fake twins are the tricksy ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You don’t say.” Not altogether
comfortable with having a conversation with a lunatic while driving through a
hurricane, Nikita decided to focus on Kyle. “I was surprised to see you show up
so quickly. Somehow I thought it would take much longer for you to shut
Dantalion down. But I guess with the five of you guys together, one little
demon didn’t stand a chance, yeah?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>Little
demon?</i> After all you’ve come to learn, this is how you refer to a Great
Duke of hell?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Easy.” Caught off-guard by the heat
behind his words, it was all Nikita could do to keep from gaping at him. But
after a moment’s consideration she supposed she could forgive him for being a
tad edgy after busting all kinds of humps to avert a demonic apocalypse. “Just
relax. No need to get your shorts in a twist.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bambi let out a piercing bray of
laughter. “Twisty, twisted shorts. I think I have snakes in my brain.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wow</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. “Kyle, I’m not diminishing your
victory here, believe me. I’m only beginning to grasp just how difficult this
was for the five of you to pull off.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Things haven’t gone exactly according
to plan, I’ll give you that,” came the absent reply. “My timing has been
slightly off from the moment I started this endeavor. I had assumed that by the
time the strongest of the Nephilim finally managed to fumble their individual
ways to me, I would have attained the power to wipe them all out in one fell
swoop. But, since I’ll have it in the next few minutes, it’ll all end up the
same.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What are…” Her heart froze from the
inside out as the words sank their poisonous teeth into her brain. With
understanding dawning like some hideous cancer, Nikita turned to look at the
thing wearing Kyle’s face. Before her disbelieving eyes, that face she knew so
well melted like wax and reconfigured itself until she was looking at the image
of her mother.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Well done, Nikita.” The thing that
wasn’t her mother smiled its rabid approval while the oily twisting in her
brain began, until it was all she could do to keep from crying out. “Thanks so
much for getting us away from there. Good thing I stumbled across you sitting
here, thinking such loud thoughts about the Nephilim lying in wait for me at my
meat puppet’s apartment. I would have walked right into that ambush if it
hadn’t been for you, and all of my plans would have been for naught.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Fake twins are tricksy.” Bambi laughed
again. This time, though, Nikita heard it for the scream it was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sound interesting? Here’s the blurb for DANGEROUS ANGEL, up for
pre-order now:</span><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Book four of the Earth Angels series</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miami's best bounty hunter, Nikita Tesoro will do anything to collar a
fugitive, including stepping into a stripper's stilettos for the night.
Outsmarting her rival Kyle Beaudecker is just a bonus. Despite the sexual
tension sparking between them, Nikita keeps a professional distance from
"Hurricane" Kyle. After all, she can't get hurt if she doesn't care.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A descendant of the archangel Barakiel with the power to harness
electricity, Kyle should be focusing his energy on tracking down a demon that
may be hiding in the human realm. But he's a lover, not a fighter, and he'd
much rather use his special talents for pleasure: specifically Nikita's. And
teaming up to find a bail jumper means spending lots of time together…</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But when their case takes a turn for the demonic, Kyle can no longer hide
his true nature from Nikita. He'll do whatever it takes to win her heart—even
stop the apocalypse. But he can't do it alone.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">80,000 words</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Buy links for pre-ordering DANGEROUS
ANGEL:</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_13_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390876728&sr=1-13">Amazon</a> | </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dangerous-angel/id802842285?mt=11">iTunes</a> | <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-angel-stacy-gail/1117366853?ean=9781426898099">Barnes
and Noble</a> | </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_Dangerous_Angel?id=oSRCAgAAQBAJ&hl=en">Google
Play</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dangerousangel-1411017-149.html">ARe</a> |
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dangerous-angel">Kobo</a> |
<a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=9BB4C69D-879B-4189-89B1-8EEFC3325C83">Carina
Press</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-10538170693136601372014-03-20T23:09:00.004-06:002014-03-20T23:16:23.691-06:00DABWAHA TIME!!! Let's get ready to rumbllllllle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLLzNZHeSdmW-0O1ZffxQ8aoRhd96V2vNLo6wnB4Nquf09ARN94NwGqeNNFY9cjJV0Tw0QRO9fdr4CX9hMMR6ndr0MlgmK3DlhK1RCIWmzCs4qI3pp6m6Lel2n8nANXLFnKCvsGX86q3z/s1600/2014Nominee-DABWAHA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLLzNZHeSdmW-0O1ZffxQ8aoRhd96V2vNLo6wnB4Nquf09ARN94NwGqeNNFY9cjJV0Tw0QRO9fdr4CX9hMMR6ndr0MlgmK3DlhK1RCIWmzCs4qI3pp6m6Lel2n8nANXLFnKCvsGX86q3z/s1600/2014Nominee-DABWAHA.png" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://dabwaha.com/">DABWAHA’</a>s 1<sup>st</sup>
round has officially opened and it’s time to vote for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Scratch-Stacy-Gail-ebook/dp/B00EFPO5KM/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_2_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395376669&sr=1-2">STARTING
FROM SCRATCH</a>!!! (Or, y’know, Sarah Morgan <span style="font-size: x-small;">*omg fangirl squee*</span>, but all the cool kids are voting
for me, sooooo… yeah. ;) ) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaX9hsEh2TTifIVdlEDCoi_HHLwgVqpMnMFypeHaVoNUurK7-bqO3OFYVMBb9VnBsf3ezNdJoCnH5-CL8qUx4FbkVlKDscga2h6n0JZinlN5KLpT5cY5UkmoKT_lW3-I0LOfaupTXBbUQ/s1600/That'd+be+great.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaX9hsEh2TTifIVdlEDCoi_HHLwgVqpMnMFypeHaVoNUurK7-bqO3OFYVMBb9VnBsf3ezNdJoCnH5-CL8qUx4FbkVlKDscga2h6n0JZinlN5KLpT5cY5UkmoKT_lW3-I0LOfaupTXBbUQ/s1600/That'd+be+great.png" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the next twelve hours, tell your family, neighbors, friends, enemies, loved
ones, countrymen, aliens from outer space and pets of all kinds to get online
and VOTE for my lovely little holiday novella published by the amazeballs <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina
Press</a>. I love you, Carina Press, the same way Jess loves food.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJC1DTziv2Pd67Py0F7mPe1lAtMQ1Xuj_ioWiGp5Mx1xcMs_AlD0OMWxbs3DB-EQ7hVnDXHgqivPWFg2yhzos-dlzOwU8f-f2gLgzDDrhVh8dEZL7OrHUeoou4_3nTfh_nI5SsNW9HgGi/s1600/new+girl+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJC1DTziv2Pd67Py0F7mPe1lAtMQ1Xuj_ioWiGp5Mx1xcMs_AlD0OMWxbs3DB-EQ7hVnDXHgqivPWFg2yhzos-dlzOwU8f-f2gLgzDDrhVh8dEZL7OrHUeoou4_3nTfh_nI5SsNW9HgGi/s1600/new+girl+1.gif" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My campaign promise is simple: Keep STARTING FROM SCRATCH
running in DABWAHA, and I’ll keep posting things like…. this:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e2aceXKpit1GBYbyQ9g2uAwOpZnefAP6ibd55ISkABbaVYpDD6C2NMUIYHBOcMCrOW0xrPFqz7551dPctXN9UZTTzCXV0PyGlUufGao6bwDASNeZdEPNt6ZBL-H96wccqDnH1iGeOWfq/s1600/Rugby+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e2aceXKpit1GBYbyQ9g2uAwOpZnefAP6ibd55ISkABbaVYpDD6C2NMUIYHBOcMCrOW0xrPFqz7551dPctXN9UZTTzCXV0PyGlUufGao6bwDASNeZdEPNt6ZBL-H96wccqDnH1iGeOWfq/s1600/Rugby+1.gif" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> …and this:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JKXvDfn8YH8MQI3JynazByGSH1YtHeBO1X1eHKC9FaibblK5tdMCFBU0YaCYG1zUulxCNvsX39rWNFzcGOUY0GKx5s2YrdcjpPlwh04KauRrh0aanc2m9nNbqfMKmVtZCMaVgYD_dV5v/s1600/Rugby+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JKXvDfn8YH8MQI3JynazByGSH1YtHeBO1X1eHKC9FaibblK5tdMCFBU0YaCYG1zUulxCNvsX39rWNFzcGOUY0GKx5s2YrdcjpPlwh04KauRrh0aanc2m9nNbqfMKmVtZCMaVgYD_dV5v/s1600/Rugby+2.gif" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This too:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU8jDH3vyUOZYn1IHWc8HMp3BIVYv3g12uhp7yNl-vhdzcBJmMvrjDyeh4P2P-OA5QYFMH4qDUBffSRNRCxKQXPp0Y5LQIrtmLfpmwuj-zYzBPazb2aPJcT_lLN3CFtXLfQREvGVBycKi/s1600/Rugby+3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU8jDH3vyUOZYn1IHWc8HMp3BIVYv3g12uhp7yNl-vhdzcBJmMvrjDyeh4P2P-OA5QYFMH4qDUBffSRNRCxKQXPp0Y5LQIrtmLfpmwuj-zYzBPazb2aPJcT_lLN3CFtXLfQREvGVBycKi/s1600/Rugby+3.gif" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the grand finale:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Bei8msFVA2NQTDk0PejGbqJdQ3LIXSZCdAHGVAKxMTlm0G-ALAXCQmuhsNge61WAsXorCMIhvhIHzxHLB5uWn262eOx8T-2mGdribruD28FcngFSnA0wLLolH95ag6wPcWC0REYzx0ng/s1600/rugby+4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Bei8msFVA2NQTDk0PejGbqJdQ3LIXSZCdAHGVAKxMTlm0G-ALAXCQmuhsNge61WAsXorCMIhvhIHzxHLB5uWn262eOx8T-2mGdribruD28FcngFSnA0wLLolH95ag6wPcWC0REYzx0ng/s1600/rugby+4.gif" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gifs harvested from <a href="http://kellyapple.com/">soulswallo/Kelly Apple's</a> fab <a href="http://soulswallo.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>.<br />FOLLOW HER AND <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Apple/e/B00EZ9XQ26/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1395378450&sr=1-2-ent">BUY HER BOOKS</a>!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUT!... If I don’t make it into the second round, I’ll get a sad. And when I get a sad, I do something terrible. Like, a virtual crime-against-humanity kind of terrible. When I get a sad, I post Honey Boo Boo gifs. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friends don’t let friends post Honey Boo Boo
gifs, so vote for STARTING FROM SCRATCH today! :D</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-72507299124667620192014-03-18T17:38:00.000-06:002014-03-18T17:38:09.059-06:00Teaser Tuesday--Nikita's first glimpse of the paranormal<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess what? There are only two weeks until <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_11_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395185443&sr=1-11">DANGEROUS ANGEL</a> releases!!! *flails* I’ve got a
giveaway planned (more on that later in the week), but in the meantime, it’s
time for another snippet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nikita, the heroine of DANGEROUS ANGEL, is about as
pragmatic as they come. Originally from Cuba, she was orphaned during a
dangerous crossing from Cuba to Miami when the craft she and her mother were on
sank. She was the only survivor of that doomed trip, and it was a time in her
life that left more than a few scars. Flights of fancy and fairytales don’t fit
into her no-nonsense way of looking at things, so when Kyle’s Nephilim world
merges with hers without any warning, Nikita has no way of coping with the
insanity that’s unleashed…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc98kIrhoIQwc3qNRehOQqJtwTqkVgFYi5Pw_fD21xGQRxdlADhSXqnvsJgT9GG1-8c0dynmYSBHt1RDIDmMTQL5LXdca953q5Koj9Y3I2A9j6KHYyNeX2U9axqhyaw3fj0m4TavQUDbl0/s1600/CARINA_0314_9781426898099_DangerousAngel.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mama?”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Nikita hadn’t meant to speak. To call out to a dead woman was
insane. To <i>see</i> a dead woman standing
no more than a few feet away, smiling in welcome and happy acceptance that had
always glowed in her dark eyes, was lunacy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
couldn’t be.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
<i>shouldn’t</i> be.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Ah,
Nikita. Look at you, all grown up.” That light in the chocolate-brown eyes she
remembered reached out to twine around her consciousness until it was all she
could see. “I knew you would be such a beauty. A beauty worthy of having the
world at her feet. You make your mama so proud.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nikita
shuddered while the words tore a jagged sound from some dark hole deep inside,
that secret place she’d tried to hide even from herself. It was where she
housed the hopeless yearning to hear her mother’s voice. To see her mother’s
smile, a smile that meant everything was going to be all right. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To
have the chance to say, one last time, <i>I
love you</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Mama.”
Nikita felt something spatter her cheeks, and at first she thought it was rain.
Then she realized that after nearly two decades, the tears she’d never let fall
were escaping at last. “Where… How can you be here? I <i>saw</i> you. I saw what happened to you. To <i>everyone</i>.” Again the screams rang in her ears, while that terrible
feeling of something squeezing her consciousness twisted deeper. Her stomach
somersaulted queasily as the dread and horror came back in a rush, as vivid as
the day when her mother…had…had…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Died.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You’re
dead.” Shaking. Dear God, she was shaking so hard she didn’t know how much
longer she could remain upright. “I saw you die. I screamed for you to come
back. I screamed until I didn’t have any voice left. But you didn’t come back. You
<i>couldn’t</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
mother spread her arms wide, both a plea and a beckoning. “My bond with my only
child isn’t so weak that it can just vanish. Don’t let the past confuse you,
Nikita. Just believe that I’m here for you now.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“But…”
Memories of churning, endless water. Screams. Redness. It all jumbled together in
one long ribbon of chaos. Feverishly she clamped her hands to her head before
it could blow apart. “This can’t be real. This <i>can’t</i> be real.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Do
you not love me anymore,<i> mi hijita?</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Don’t
say that.” This time she couldn’t stop the flinch as her hold on sanity eroded,
until she couldn’t remember what she was trying to hold on to. “Please, please
don’t say that. I’ll always love you. <i>Siempre</i>…”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“My
last word to you. You have it tattooed on your back now so you would never
forget.” Again she held out her arms. Her smile was better than coming home. “Come,
Nikita. Aren’t you happy to see me? Didn’t you miss me?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You’ll
never know how much, Mama. I’ve been so alone without you.” The grief welled up
like a poison that had no antidote, swamping the last of her reason. This was
her <i>mother</i>, an answer to an old
prayer, the one person she’d longed for with a futility that had crippled her
in her younger years. She’d dreamed of this impossible moment for so long it
had become a wound that had never fully healed<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With
a sob of tortured joy, she stepped into the awaiting embrace.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Icy
coldness emanated from the inside out as the arms locked around her. While the
yearning within her cried <i>at last, at
last</i>, a strange alarm sounded through the layers of wanting to believe. Her
mother’s embrace had always been warm, loving. It had never failed to chase the
bad things away. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But
this was…different. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Something’s wrong.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sound interesting?
Here’s the blurb for DANGEROUS ANGEL, up for pre-order now:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Book four of the Earth Angels series</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Miami's best bounty hunter, Nikita Tesoro will
do anything to collar a fugitive, i</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ncluding stepping into a stripper's
stilettos for the night. Outsmarting her rival Kyle Beaudecker is just a bonus.
Despite the sexual tension sparking between them, Nikita keeps a professional
distance from "Hurricane" Kyle. After all, she can't get hurt if she
doesn't care.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A descendant of the archangel Barakiel with the
power to harness electricity, Kyle should be focusing his energy on tracking
down a demon that may be hiding in the human realm. But he's a lover, not a
fighter, and he'd much rather use his special talents for pleasure:
specifically Nikita's. And teaming up to find a bail jumper means spending lots
of time together…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But when their case takes a turn for the demonic,
Kyle can no longer hide his true nature from Nikita. He'll do whatever it takes
to win her heart—even stop the apocalypse. But he can't do it alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">80,000 words<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Buy links for pre-ordering DANGEROUS
ANGEL:</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_13_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390876728&sr=1-13">Amazon</a> | </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dangerous-angel/id802842285?mt=11">iTunes</a> | <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-angel-stacy-gail/1117366853?ean=9781426898099">Barnes
and Noble</a> | </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_Dangerous_Angel?id=oSRCAgAAQBAJ&hl=en">Google
Play</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dangerousangel-1411017-149.html">ARe</a> |
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dangerous-angel">Kobo</a> |
<a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=9BB4C69D-879B-4189-89B1-8EEFC3325C83">Carina
Press</a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-91866589659814757832014-03-14T11:24:00.001-06:002014-03-14T18:04:20.681-06:00I'm a finalist in DABWAHA! My feels, in gif form<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, the big news of the week…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=A8D7B82F-0065-4034-A27E-4842C2F4DC36">STARTING FROM SCRATCH</a>, pubbed by <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina Press</a>, is a DABWAHA Finalist!!!!!!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s <a href="http://dabwaha.com/">DABWAHA? </a>
It stands for </span><em><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dear Author Bitchery Writing Award for
Hellagood Authors</span></em><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, an annual
tourney founded by <a href="http://dearauthor.com/">Dear Author</a> and <a href="http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/">Smart Bitches, Trashy Books</a>. Just like the
NCAA Final Four Championships, the DABWAHA tournament has brackets to fill.
Among the hundreds upon hundreds of romance novels that are pubbed each year,
64 books are chosen to compete for the most coveted honor of being the last
book standing. HOW books compete against
each other will be in another FYI-type post, but for now I need to express my
feelings when I read the email informing me that SfS had been chosen to be a
part of DABWAHA. And I shall do it… in the form of gifs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff1a8; margin: 0in 23.25pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt;">Dear Stacy,</span></b><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff1a8; margin-right: 23.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt;">Congratulations on
being nominated for the DABWAHA, the tournament of romance
novels run by The TBR LLC, Dear Author and Smart Bitches. We're kicking off our
tournament on </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">March 23</span></b><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt;">, when readers and authors can make their
bracket selections, but the announced categories are available
at Dabwaha.com. Currently, <i>Starting From Scratch </i>has
been nominated in the Novella bracket.</span></b><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff1a8; margin-right: 23.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt;">I've attached a
graphic if you'd like to feature it on your website to tell the world that
you're a finalist, and begin the fine tradition of trash talking.
Congratulations again!</span></b><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff1a8; margin-right: 23.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At first I thought: “Wait, what?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnVgDmXd74ZaQGfIQVEKhpCptvA5Wdc6sxy0DR8LtvRJN2iAp-6dgfCB9TCunZw1O_R-td6WReoua8APmknz20QgBYLimHHttQJsgjyHq6umC8wK1mJlb-gqNxzyNbnRb-W9Vb_qMO5t0/s1600/Chuck-waitwhat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnVgDmXd74ZaQGfIQVEKhpCptvA5Wdc6sxy0DR8LtvRJN2iAp-6dgfCB9TCunZw1O_R-td6WReoua8APmknz20QgBYLimHHttQJsgjyHq6umC8wK1mJlb-gqNxzyNbnRb-W9Vb_qMO5t0/s1600/Chuck-waitwhat.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mean, it really confused me... <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgXunjXJnk1SJp1YKWTLykr_weL9Ngn-ceCT-lz_rkonuy98az7IfcL2t2ECWDlBjgIgEEYoIvqYuiJcuZ1X4YdExEDk1i6yTY0t0ERs90uf1gOwkZgYuFYkZIGlvT7LmigxAzTCHfTZg/s1600/dr+who+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgXunjXJnk1SJp1YKWTLykr_weL9Ngn-ceCT-lz_rkonuy98az7IfcL2t2ECWDlBjgIgEEYoIvqYuiJcuZ1X4YdExEDk1i6yTY0t0ERs90uf1gOwkZgYuFYkZIGlvT7LmigxAzTCHfTZg/s1600/dr+who+1.gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was probably a joke. One of my writerly friends had to be pulling a fast one on me by getting my hopes up. Yeah, that was it. Funny, dude. Real funny.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ll6xRWh-7zJOyDoGed8vazU6qxsjQXbckBUSTVtRReWA3eDu4sdpDl9wYeurlGFwpIS-tD91DsacqzP55MMMWb3oHe8RwavMNLk9aDaP0iUirRDW82N45GcoZtGdD2bW4yD0ga_ZUNi6/s1600/joker.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ll6xRWh-7zJOyDoGed8vazU6qxsjQXbckBUSTVtRReWA3eDu4sdpDl9wYeurlGFwpIS-tD91DsacqzP55MMMWb3oHe8RwavMNLk9aDaP0iUirRDW82N45GcoZtGdD2bW4yD0ga_ZUNi6/s1600/joker.gif" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then my inbox exploded with congratulatory tweets, and
that meant only one thing. SWEET BABY
JESUS, IT’S REALLLLL!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5hupJhBNdaBvBa5irTw8QswSlGrllo8yJgFr4hLAI4NHeHuzxxho4IrwFx9_2fiOUQUTOxPFbCWrTHg8WVWIcDeL6yk7leJQyVtxyRaY-ZnIxD7k4TID8pqybcDmpHBVx1xYPOhUJDDL/s1600/hi+five.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5hupJhBNdaBvBa5irTw8QswSlGrllo8yJgFr4hLAI4NHeHuzxxho4IrwFx9_2fiOUQUTOxPFbCWrTHg8WVWIcDeL6yk7leJQyVtxyRaY-ZnIxD7k4TID8pqybcDmpHBVx1xYPOhUJDDL/s1600/hi+five.gif" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As inconceivable as it was.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG4tjWeW-YH2de4XRPNc6FJDYJHNe1UVvrjOgpOSTcJe_NgbFnaojH7HB32jhr1rBPyxr4y_CzBMwBGKjl7oWa0IIIjsB_sy1UANBUKNGilvsp8aAuhXj0Rc32KaDJpFETriBmr4ToCpN/s1600/inconceivable.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG4tjWeW-YH2de4XRPNc6FJDYJHNe1UVvrjOgpOSTcJe_NgbFnaojH7HB32jhr1rBPyxr4y_CzBMwBGKjl7oWa0IIIjsB_sy1UANBUKNGilvsp8aAuhXj0Rc32KaDJpFETriBmr4ToCpN/s1600/inconceivable.gif" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Naturally, this called for dancing:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9Ec1eIdaOxc4_7oVLYzJ2ic6KS2k1djJrkXpY7MYvtQvNaEO3Oz2x9bQWV6kjxn39dptavwacRhvYngUkNss-9Sqx7YkpDgX_ChCiFcweXrXpHUvpP19X6K-EOhj3CtnN7FyY4MSBlkM/s1600/Happy-Dance-the-colbert-report-9352750-300-229.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9Ec1eIdaOxc4_7oVLYzJ2ic6KS2k1djJrkXpY7MYvtQvNaEO3Oz2x9bQWV6kjxn39dptavwacRhvYngUkNss-9Sqx7YkpDgX_ChCiFcweXrXpHUvpP19X6K-EOhj3CtnN7FyY4MSBlkM/s1600/Happy-Dance-the-colbert-report-9352750-300-229.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And drinking:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwH-51SBhupr1CxbA-zU0M9C7uC_wWUuzJ0AXy9OlBK92e3EnLeK2OYjZIl2ii8TWSq1d349kopLsPPKqvRZerG2H5hc4O6JUfxlYaBt3LI8ueOnWV2ZqDzMpLZaFqI4f9j6JlznCcAZ6R/s1600/drunk.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwH-51SBhupr1CxbA-zU0M9C7uC_wWUuzJ0AXy9OlBK92e3EnLeK2OYjZIl2ii8TWSq1d349kopLsPPKqvRZerG2H5hc4O6JUfxlYaBt3LI8ueOnWV2ZqDzMpLZaFqI4f9j6JlznCcAZ6R/s1600/drunk.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And whatever this is:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QAPxfJWxzRE51VWBAPTBXOgajwKaBKzLOILuSxBszFHI8QD77rmpuG5TgUmZx1tGtiD7xigm58e2_D9t7xV8oNDQXCOVNlj5QuUIpuoLU8eSZz0rK2Zk2nPa2UF2ILyydRg6zHDCiIvv/s1600/wheee.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QAPxfJWxzRE51VWBAPTBXOgajwKaBKzLOILuSxBszFHI8QD77rmpuG5TgUmZx1tGtiD7xigm58e2_D9t7xV8oNDQXCOVNlj5QuUIpuoLU8eSZz0rK2Zk2nPa2UF2ILyydRg6zHDCiIvv/s1600/wheee.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because really, nothing ever happens to me:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAN1bGdOaFEAN_8o456nPSVVAKj6cIdBVCDutpe85rn6OdF5hOPvw-cO7U1COVbNgQQjzcNcxKPBSE5CHgkgbCeAzwNzySyBPA1BrhM6xu17Rc7jlG-KJvvHYHrIbO3o9Qx8IVGoII3rz/s1600/nothing+happens2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAN1bGdOaFEAN_8o456nPSVVAKj6cIdBVCDutpe85rn6OdF5hOPvw-cO7U1COVbNgQQjzcNcxKPBSE5CHgkgbCeAzwNzySyBPA1BrhM6xu17Rc7jlG-KJvvHYHrIbO3o9Qx8IVGoII3rz/s1600/nothing+happens2.gif" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Word about being a DABWAHA finalist spread, and the
inevitable happened. Just when I was at
the height of my joy:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8GxHFCQdZPyjoMX-ajOz-uKREhSnth9SapXQIWFwRo66jLvQXDmGhIXl5Cl2F6HS8HX-1WuQ1PQLlkhfBjhN07IOUKXTcSU3gzTvjKGQp-Ru_HXzUhgG2WS0b8s7Ge9UI4JXUrJd22e9/s1600/happy+dance+3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8GxHFCQdZPyjoMX-ajOz-uKREhSnth9SapXQIWFwRo66jLvQXDmGhIXl5Cl2F6HS8HX-1WuQ1PQLlkhfBjhN07IOUKXTcSU3gzTvjKGQp-Ru_HXzUhgG2WS0b8s7Ge9UI4JXUrJd22e9/s1600/happy+dance+3.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone asked what STARTING FROM SCRATCH was going
up against.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMWlH-mfGkT4S4L8lZ0vLovuM9k-YTy_tmeKa6ti9V3YMbLU4cA3yaZJ0vYAJdKMw8fMSGl6i9SbPDh15-T3y8VhoM0aK396myj0zJTK2VJFrW3tyNZ0NS_8r1fyX5CLBEbVM7IArlNl9/s1600/omg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMWlH-mfGkT4S4L8lZ0vLovuM9k-YTy_tmeKa6ti9V3YMbLU4cA3yaZJ0vYAJdKMw8fMSGl6i9SbPDh15-T3y8VhoM0aK396myj0zJTK2VJFrW3tyNZ0NS_8r1fyX5CLBEbVM7IArlNl9/s1600/omg.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I looked up my competition… </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYeLUIgnUo3REjbzkydoKFPhOdmjxVCYFGNrMxu60HjTEvSRPpfgS1WKft6BXgN7YN0-goWOYMCJINvZ0YzWjL0guQgr1DcVvZolRXRyjG8q_RJNCY7LMGMmjpRRbv4PMiQ_8konUc2fL/s1600/burt.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYeLUIgnUo3REjbzkydoKFPhOdmjxVCYFGNrMxu60HjTEvSRPpfgS1WKft6BXgN7YN0-goWOYMCJINvZ0YzWjL0guQgr1DcVvZolRXRyjG8q_RJNCY7LMGMmjpRRbv4PMiQ_8konUc2fL/s1600/burt.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, my God.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QyUa9WAZwrChJoX7Ud5SOyTYCi-QrqzD_JYcUve2eTaocJEy-Wk30uYTr0SjYBjj9x4CYnt0WdaNmMNeDxb6j5Ou7iYTwfe_vd-mTtNNVTgSqe8jiWs9C-yWgmncyeGvhf5B2K5Ji5pM/s1600/omg+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QyUa9WAZwrChJoX7Ud5SOyTYCi-QrqzD_JYcUve2eTaocJEy-Wk30uYTr0SjYBjj9x4CYnt0WdaNmMNeDxb6j5Ou7iYTwfe_vd-mTtNNVTgSqe8jiWs9C-yWgmncyeGvhf5B2K5Ji5pM/s1600/omg+2.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OH, MY GODDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWb16o7F5ynuhe0_YvVgIvp47dDPGDVxAdlhRH9GYwNWp5yS2YvrRqusfTrDTUWRidtI3bY8oQ9Uo4UPp1kDAyhjwTD0I29cK-Vm6hC4nF5av9w9HYvPw3mv5VPCeR8jENEQacpd4Hutv/s1600/omg_reaction_gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWb16o7F5ynuhe0_YvVgIvp47dDPGDVxAdlhRH9GYwNWp5yS2YvrRqusfTrDTUWRidtI3bY8oQ9Uo4UPp1kDAyhjwTD0I29cK-Vm6hC4nF5av9w9HYvPw3mv5VPCeR8jENEQacpd4Hutv/s1600/omg_reaction_gif.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My little holiday novella is going toe-to-toe with huge,
best-selling authors. They're juggernauts. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgvALAIbk7SR_rJ-YL_gP_15ggS7QzOtFlzqzPF4uNw_S5QqAZSIPjF25yJ3Ge2u6XrZ6WiQ_QJuw_IvaSpOT60s86SsrKMCYOrk_xOD1Xxibja0pzGg-KO3iU8VtkOnSaQ21WwNz5jsb/s1600/hulk+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgvALAIbk7SR_rJ-YL_gP_15ggS7QzOtFlzqzPF4uNw_S5QqAZSIPjF25yJ3Ge2u6XrZ6WiQ_QJuw_IvaSpOT60s86SsrKMCYOrk_xOD1Xxibja0pzGg-KO3iU8VtkOnSaQ21WwNz5jsb/s1600/hulk+1.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gladiators.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhoq4veF6EA_gQ4BcSh-AZh9sNgdCbXiayYbSsIaVSg0jn2rLpbzYY3PsweV9UkcjMvgKd97eWKReHvmqZXsR0uLrqWuJEZAzvigxx6xe0cl2Cc3Ruakmgnvdj5jjva9URg6r6rClnEpn/s1600/are-you-not-entertained-gif-Im-K4kF.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhoq4veF6EA_gQ4BcSh-AZh9sNgdCbXiayYbSsIaVSg0jn2rLpbzYY3PsweV9UkcjMvgKd97eWKReHvmqZXsR0uLrqWuJEZAzvigxx6xe0cl2Cc3Ruakmgnvdj5jjva9URg6r6rClnEpn/s1600/are-you-not-entertained-gif-Im-K4kF.gif" height="136" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> GODS.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyPKjmeggxaHh3NpE909Tdc7JX09e_PB3fm2DF0QpUMeYAHl00AxDd_MAlBWK2lmYRzbX4yllsLFsRy6pypMNio6FH1tsb37CqpgaKYwr9AzlTnvJFbkQVjzBb_pzSmO8Z9OKzMB888gs/s1600/GODS.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyPKjmeggxaHh3NpE909Tdc7JX09e_PB3fm2DF0QpUMeYAHl00AxDd_MAlBWK2lmYRzbX4yllsLFsRy6pypMNio6FH1tsb37CqpgaKYwr9AzlTnvJFbkQVjzBb_pzSmO8Z9OKzMB888gs/s1600/GODS.gif" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSZc8MySZSJZaafQOV9wLR-P_geFguGpsrUiPNuub1Ok4-bkQjCxNQ167bv_FN_V-mk2uS2Fl6YdqQae8_YY7b1MqfEC-MJu6LRwedIUGIurfGTt8q1UjXktcYIYwajTRQjk78mgqydi9/s1600/gods+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSZc8MySZSJZaafQOV9wLR-P_geFguGpsrUiPNuub1Ok4-bkQjCxNQ167bv_FN_V-mk2uS2Fl6YdqQae8_YY7b1MqfEC-MJu6LRwedIUGIurfGTt8q1UjXktcYIYwajTRQjk78mgqydi9/s1600/gods+2.gif" height="137" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then there’s me…<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsndnBqYftTuIbnirk1idQU4enVxLAeB3Qcws-w-TCH-cyAAd0PZNsom4DRtIhs3G7nTi1Xf0HJhizLAJZz7vv_NStOFrZ6olJxNjNY07h14YoJHKcW17Ckko_tIU7OC_Uoui94a82YNgd/s1600/puss+in+boots.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsndnBqYftTuIbnirk1idQU4enVxLAeB3Qcws-w-TCH-cyAAd0PZNsom4DRtIhs3G7nTi1Xf0HJhizLAJZz7vv_NStOFrZ6olJxNjNY07h14YoJHKcW17Ckko_tIU7OC_Uoui94a82YNgd/s1600/puss+in+boots.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's when I realized it's going to get ugly...<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrppr_22gtptieTaqAjvKslRScixUzPhAWGOoYHquqesIw5u_PDA2uOVEGxBZVswgfLcDPcrrU2uKl-yXNo8Y6AgOHwm_fDyq9nAhrfbOeytxYY5LUHgfYJiH7YlVA1HfeaNqFqXlwqZM/s1600/Avengers-Hulk-Loki-1337008016.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrppr_22gtptieTaqAjvKslRScixUzPhAWGOoYHquqesIw5u_PDA2uOVEGxBZVswgfLcDPcrrU2uKl-yXNo8Y6AgOHwm_fDyq9nAhrfbOeytxYY5LUHgfYJiH7YlVA1HfeaNqFqXlwqZM/s1600/Avengers-Hulk-Loki-1337008016.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Needless to say, my mood took a turn for the worse…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDDz1mMr1nRl1JeWMSuBiU5Q280HOjPWJN96hSGU_9P8tSyDO6iun5V7ClAIq33LwR6uj8QulomFhfNikIhp1T-8vV_X7u848_ooFHGPTmsIA2QILstVYeeCDvSbHq5W4Z2tN0ulHGuC8/s1600/faint.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDDz1mMr1nRl1JeWMSuBiU5Q280HOjPWJN96hSGU_9P8tSyDO6iun5V7ClAIq33LwR6uj8QulomFhfNikIhp1T-8vV_X7u848_ooFHGPTmsIA2QILstVYeeCDvSbHq5W4Z2tN0ulHGuC8/s1600/faint.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The voice of doubt began to whisper in my ear:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu8gvj9wTOiwjBc0u-EdnGZ3e7N6FHtlKWxd3cBt0Pcf6RtcV300tE3W8B39YCQtcov3MP7KKkiadqfD4hYfoiQtx-fnWdwHhFPPLvhyr-y4N9VmVN3qxPbS7AgGNc6RfPZeWOLBPRRkF/s1600/gollum2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu8gvj9wTOiwjBc0u-EdnGZ3e7N6FHtlKWxd3cBt0Pcf6RtcV300tE3W8B39YCQtcov3MP7KKkiadqfD4hYfoiQtx-fnWdwHhFPPLvhyr-y4N9VmVN3qxPbS7AgGNc6RfPZeWOLBPRRkF/s1600/gollum2.gif" height="134" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Insecurity set in.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7wQEA-CehBwno0IQ_lPpYbDUvXin2GdnbYp1fJ73qXxnZki4Da3zhgVKGxPvfIUecrubFHFSPH_ijzcEIE7-j72StgnyxfU_iy2VSocseZL6jBpXR1jnHTYV0POdpZVl-kvYsQGcLCGp/s1600/insecurity.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7wQEA-CehBwno0IQ_lPpYbDUvXin2GdnbYp1fJ73qXxnZki4Da3zhgVKGxPvfIUecrubFHFSPH_ijzcEIE7-j72StgnyxfU_iy2VSocseZL6jBpXR1jnHTYV0POdpZVl-kvYsQGcLCGp/s1600/insecurity.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…and suddenly I wasn’t even sure what I was doing:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACRSMH4Gz9zCMv2KnMNYqmdrnoq8Gx-85K4HpTrXMt0xNmwpGWnthDB6U_tjY0A2iOMsmLbN0-vhfn27b_5WJXm1q0U-nYi6TBybvNgYq6uEPbEWY-kTsEhH5CNHFIZ-xZzTsSLMk7T0d/s1600/wtf.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACRSMH4Gz9zCMv2KnMNYqmdrnoq8Gx-85K4HpTrXMt0xNmwpGWnthDB6U_tjY0A2iOMsmLbN0-vhfn27b_5WJXm1q0U-nYi6TBybvNgYq6uEPbEWY-kTsEhH5CNHFIZ-xZzTsSLMk7T0d/s1600/wtf.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clearly this is a recipe for disaster…<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9PGmbUF5XcfiJ9EDdsot4y8IYysgy6owQL4NjGWawYk4mX3Lv5J1YJUY3au0SBT3U9V3vdeh7ldpnUkrGNhAM6F87AsKTs1v6uEmdLgj_U7SIFqMv1S5aFZhyRIptKxHXbc6O6ApvMnX/s1600/disaster.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9PGmbUF5XcfiJ9EDdsot4y8IYysgy6owQL4NjGWawYk4mX3Lv5J1YJUY3au0SBT3U9V3vdeh7ldpnUkrGNhAM6F87AsKTs1v6uEmdLgj_U7SIFqMv1S5aFZhyRIptKxHXbc6O6ApvMnX/s1600/disaster.gif" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But then I saw the light.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_OePZhN5t7Fpy2XQhpzpuNL2ES8bu0hfs_Y2TF7X1XgFtfImxC8ROPYfHiKxrks73HebTNZbELE3P3S_M9v5gI0_FbjXL6pZCfiysPoOu02AAoLkBMt19lQyAeXdhs3GCR2VspJNXk1Y/s1600/the+light.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_OePZhN5t7Fpy2XQhpzpuNL2ES8bu0hfs_Y2TF7X1XgFtfImxC8ROPYfHiKxrks73HebTNZbELE3P3S_M9v5gI0_FbjXL6pZCfiysPoOu02AAoLkBMt19lQyAeXdhs3GCR2VspJNXk1Y/s1600/the+light.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It dawned on me how lucky I was to be included in
this legendary battle of the best:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT52CEGizJNrnN4MK0VGUHS3visYHn73Ru6Z79kldkDcq3keyjcvuJ7r4rQO4i9qGPxewF0JHvnx18MvVWj7W-ufdwyFjY8Kk352J6BeUyJkm3o2HzmWKJruxJmIc9Z25nB8eIRH094_1l/s1600/woot+woot.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT52CEGizJNrnN4MK0VGUHS3visYHn73Ru6Z79kldkDcq3keyjcvuJ7r4rQO4i9qGPxewF0JHvnx18MvVWj7W-ufdwyFjY8Kk352J6BeUyJkm3o2HzmWKJruxJmIc9Z25nB8eIRH094_1l/s1600/woot+woot.gif" height="152" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sure, the competition is fierce...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfcNkkdfCwQBa6ygGh-MZKFuYGgz-pzXoXOLGGI82laQyfcGtVvu33QQOpzlNs0bDzMTI6I-m0SMm_keNCWnbclPrp8WGW0a_r2pnGMqeIBH-y8VCbgMZmKW0F7n_BABVjrBEw0Pz6eiw/s1600/competition.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfcNkkdfCwQBa6ygGh-MZKFuYGgz-pzXoXOLGGI82laQyfcGtVvu33QQOpzlNs0bDzMTI6I-m0SMm_keNCWnbclPrp8WGW0a_r2pnGMqeIBH-y8VCbgMZmKW0F7n_BABVjrBEw0Pz6eiw/s1600/competition.gif" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and I’m an underdog…<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTBHAnWpi3kPSDybnstYoT23RhFG4tPxsulI_pYHq4U24tJaQIRsRTtJGaeEd29EF31HfWBbFjtI_MuU_OJb05GehHWC3OiljEQkkutamTObi0rbX7MTOqkwhtBEEgSJk04THnalcKS1N/s1600/rudy+movie.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTBHAnWpi3kPSDybnstYoT23RhFG4tPxsulI_pYHq4U24tJaQIRsRTtJGaeEd29EF31HfWBbFjtI_MuU_OJb05GehHWC3OiljEQkkutamTObi0rbX7MTOqkwhtBEEgSJk04THnalcKS1N/s1600/rudy+movie.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">… but I’m going to it give my best shot by swinging for the fences, and trash-talk like a boss:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE_AovZ-IRG4iDqPJ4hc-Nf4L1utGNtH1ULY7w8HKzYKqR9jbZXl_fIMqWeND3wkagBVK6lJTmY6V0IkFyvBwtQnM9Qf1Oanop4za-0nvPsTTxQS0zLyh_kFDVwV3c4LrWNuWZ5YN4uwr/s1600/taunting+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE_AovZ-IRG4iDqPJ4hc-Nf4L1utGNtH1ULY7w8HKzYKqR9jbZXl_fIMqWeND3wkagBVK6lJTmY6V0IkFyvBwtQnM9Qf1Oanop4za-0nvPsTTxQS0zLyh_kFDVwV3c4LrWNuWZ5YN4uwr/s1600/taunting+2.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIBAUYsR1gnOpKCIRsyavoUTluCD3BEq9Sy9E8sfF5XGYRE7lOXh7jkfXdVBpzNF7cL-2dHyNe7fV4X6EccNc-7bqz6kWYKDEkaKcL3gg5w7xd57Wk05om3Yc7qpgCssNyoCbZ4K4Y_GX/s1600/taunting.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIBAUYsR1gnOpKCIRsyavoUTluCD3BEq9Sy9E8sfF5XGYRE7lOXh7jkfXdVBpzNF7cL-2dHyNe7fV4X6EccNc-7bqz6kWYKDEkaKcL3gg5w7xd57Wk05om3Yc7qpgCssNyoCbZ4K4Y_GX/s1600/taunting.gif" height="193" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And for those who made it possible for me to be
included in this year’s DABWAHA (you know who you are), thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO_aZ-oc_UYDlHFaxCyCZBcKdbGUm-8Pmc5HUWBnZJYEjS_h7g7gdSeg1nam6EonApvFHlwlTNbPVCVi55yC8V8hPcYYEpQac5HygNpnHGYc07mqDu3roSmGZsB5S8-KNqYv_Aorm-4yK/s1600/thank+you.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO_aZ-oc_UYDlHFaxCyCZBcKdbGUm-8Pmc5HUWBnZJYEjS_h7g7gdSeg1nam6EonApvFHlwlTNbPVCVi55yC8V8hPcYYEpQac5HygNpnHGYc07mqDu3roSmGZsB5S8-KNqYv_Aorm-4yK/s1600/thank+you.gif" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously, thank you.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkR77W_nxJuCOWgI9nq_c40dyydvBSNqO9VD55SVcdtF_WU0YnrsXFvVzzo9WU_txa4qOKtfSvKlLz-JngELEfBT0qRAIzKiWfSpEee5dvAbtTOMjy6BXTpbFoqukYT-wreh8zwhdl1u5/s1600/Thank+you+curtsy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkR77W_nxJuCOWgI9nq_c40dyydvBSNqO9VD55SVcdtF_WU0YnrsXFvVzzo9WU_txa4qOKtfSvKlLz-JngELEfBT0qRAIzKiWfSpEee5dvAbtTOMjy6BXTpbFoqukYT-wreh8zwhdl1u5/s1600/Thank+you+curtsy.gif" height="128" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to do my best...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_cqFIJywDoOP8J3h9NnrxLzauGcrbJMPBxBHh_XYj6c97o_0M_wAxISx_hAO4LNMm1Athaol4fJ4iiysI7jfIYiUnWfSCDV0Et2i2YIOr_1a2AUcsAfvtvYLk7aHPl-H-9LqR8wrvCUc/s1600/janice.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_cqFIJywDoOP8J3h9NnrxLzauGcrbJMPBxBHh_XYj6c97o_0M_wAxISx_hAO4LNMm1Athaol4fJ4iiysI7jfIYiUnWfSCDV0Et2i2YIOr_1a2AUcsAfvtvYLk7aHPl-H-9LqR8wrvCUc/s1600/janice.gif" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... and even though I won’t win, I’m just glad to be here.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKQT9wipvjqdGp4n64LUYYW8mhGji2N30HGbh0KTgpPEEk1Z910ipRdvS0I1LxaZ8sTV26-SJcl_75R4w1TH5TTrgetoTQ6rozEK9kRrKI3SfX4yUBT2L71VEUlun883livKKuMsp0vUw/s1600/downton-abbey-lady-violet-GIF-season-2-episode-8.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKQT9wipvjqdGp4n64LUYYW8mhGji2N30HGbh0KTgpPEEk1Z910ipRdvS0I1LxaZ8sTV26-SJcl_75R4w1TH5TTrgetoTQ6rozEK9kRrKI3SfX4yUBT2L71VEUlun883livKKuMsp0vUw/s1600/downton-abbey-lady-violet-GIF-season-2-episode-8.gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shut the fuck up, Vi, no one wants to hear your
shit. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go celebrate being a finalist in DABWAHA. :D<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ejBjJs5uC-QIqxW0Qofm6FVlynxJjAad0gzY1ZAhpk7VFrtCvUPRXGF_4QuotWMgG1HZrnMtPoJkYTxiIzi6YTzxWjsbl9J3BCe6RtMRel2Xs7Pz4N31To_mY9mMcikqxTJ2dtAcPqpu/s1600/colbert.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ejBjJs5uC-QIqxW0Qofm6FVlynxJjAad0gzY1ZAhpk7VFrtCvUPRXGF_4QuotWMgG1HZrnMtPoJkYTxiIzi6YTzxWjsbl9J3BCe6RtMRel2Xs7Pz4N31To_mY9mMcikqxTJ2dtAcPqpu/s1600/colbert.gif" height="144" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-74101937296142879842014-03-13T13:21:00.001-06:002014-03-13T13:21:25.192-06:00THROWBACK THURSDAY - Wounded Angel's Opening Chapter!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s been a crazy week, thanks to it being yet
another competition week, coupled with family stuff (Spring Break!), final copy edits for ONE HOT SECOND, and a
car that has the hiccups. When it rains, it pours, right? I didn’t get Teaser Tuesday in (too
overwhelmed to remember it until Wednesday, heh), but I’ve got Thursday’s throwback post ready and waiting. ^_^<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To celebrate the conclusion of The Earth Angels miniseries with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00GKBIQXQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_11_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394737663&sr=1-11">DANGEROUS
ANGEL’s</a> release on March 31<sup>st</sup>, I’m sharing bits and pieces of
the series from the three previously published books. Here’s the opening chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wounded-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00BED26UE/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_4_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394737482&sr=1-4">WOUNDED
ANGEL</a>, the third book from the four-part miniseries. Ella Little may have been the most complex heroine I’ve
ever created, which means she’s one of my favorites. How else can I feel about a character when I
had to consult a psychologist just to make sure she was pieced together right?
:D Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii86i2-r3-UXKdczsO3GCRW4TrfEuZa1U_IeR0AEahNqjh4I61azS58HSxIh_-BzUmZ4njcrst_ABKubfMF8uQZy7x3_DIGo7PsWN1u4C-bGyiBuEewWBajfG4W6wTag1wpKJemcS7Em_S/s1600/WoundedAngelFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii86i2-r3-UXKdczsO3GCRW4TrfEuZa1U_IeR0AEahNqjh4I61azS58HSxIh_-BzUmZ4njcrst_ABKubfMF8uQZy7x3_DIGo7PsWN1u4C-bGyiBuEewWBajfG4W6wTag1wpKJemcS7Em_S/s1600/WoundedAngelFinal.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Do you
want to be helpless? Are you happy with the idea of being someone’s prey? If so,
quit now and let the pain win. Quit, I say! But, if you refuse to be a victim, <i>let’s do another five reps!</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deaf to
the heavy metal beat thrumming through the kickboxing gym, Ella Little crouched
in front of the long black bag she’d already beaten to within an inch of its
life, and went through the drill for what felt like the millionth time. The
combination was a tricky one—three sharp left jabs and a fast uppercut right,
then into two side knee strikes, aiming for the ribs or kidneys. Next was a
flurry of half a dozen close-in body punches and an elbow strike before a front
kick to gain space, then finishing off with a pivoting roundhouse kick to the
head.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Balance,
speed, power. A kill shot in each hit. In order for it to be effective in real
life, putting deadly intent behind each hit was the way it had to be trained.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Within
The Body Electric’s cavernous kickboxing training room—or the Doom Room, as the
more dedicated gym members called it—people were dropping like flies. No
surprise there. The trainer was Jacob Braun, perpetually rabid and an agent of
Mossad before deciding to retire to Chicago to torture its unsuspecting
residents. He was in fine form this blustery March evening; with his eyes
bulging and veins popping, he looked like a man who’d missed his daily dose of anti-psychotics.
His salt-and-pepper hair was shaved so that it was little more than bristles,
and he didn’t need the microphone headgear as he screamed his peculiar brand of
motivation while his mad eyes swept the room for easy prey. Ella hardly noticed
her co-worker and friend as he pounced on a flagging gym member, far more
intent on letting the power sing through each fluid punch and kick.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though
she loved her job as a personal trainer and self-defense instructor at The Body
Electric, this was Ella’s favorite part of the week—kickboxing with Jacob. Where
else was it legally possible to let her violent flag fly, and even better, have
it encouraged? The front kick snapped out, zinging all the way up to her hip,
and she couldn’t stop the fierce smile. That one would have buckled an
opponent’s knee, no problem, and that knowledge shot satisfaction through her
system. That was what this class was all about—survival. Survival of both
Jacob’s wild-eyed instruction, and survival of the darkness that could swallow
a person whole.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kind
of darkness that had once done its best to swallow her.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Man, she
was tired.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To keep
her mind off the lava-hot burn of lactic acid in her quads, biceps and deltoids,
Ella tightened her pink-gloved fists and let her gaze wander to her neighbors. One
of them was bent at the waist with his hands on his knees in a position that
showed he was either in the process of regaining his breath or about to hurl. Another
was barely managing to lift her foot high enough to reach the bag. Jacob would
make them pay for their weakness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her bag
jounced with the impact of her kick, and its movement coincided with another
bag off to her right and ahead a few rows. Someone else was determined not to
incur Jacob’s wrath, if the bag’s violent dancing was any indication. Her
attention drifted to the man working the bag over like it had done him dirty,
and her well-oiled rhythm skipped a beat. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was a
newcomer to their gym, but certainly no newbie to working out. She was sure he
was new, because even if the traumas in her former life hadn’t locked her
emotions up inside and thrown away the key, she still would have noticed this
living testament to testosterone-infused eye-candy the moment he walked through
the doors. It was impossible not to notice him. The expanse of his shoulders
bared by a tank top could have given Atlas a run for his Titan-y money. The
rest of him was just as spectacular; he was a well-proportioned giant in a
world that appeared to be toddler-sized by comparison. Like her, his black hair
was damp with sweat, and long enough to tumble in waving abandon over his forehead.
His sharply angled brows hooded intense
eyes that even from this distance she could see were the color of onyx. There
was a leanness to his face that granted him a hungry look, with high cheekbones
shadowing concave cheeks darkened by a five o’clock shadow, and the faint sneer
snarling his upper lip would have done an Elvis impersonator proud. If
anything, he looked like he wanted to tear his punching bag a new one and was
ready to do it with his bare—<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Are you
enjoying your daydream, Ella?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
attention snapped back to reality so hard she thought it might have made a
noise. With a sinking heart she realized that while she was checking out the
vision of sweat-slick masculine perfection a few bags over, Jacob had prowled
toward her with all the accuracy of a shark aiming for blood in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whoops.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “No daydreams here, Jacob.” With renewed focus
she attacked the bag in hopes of impressing him. “Just working the reps.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And do
you know what rep we’re on?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Of
course I do.” She could bluff with the best of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What
number?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shit</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. “Four?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A vein
pulsed down the middle of Jacob’s corrugated forehead. “You’re on your sixth
rep, which must mean you feel I’m not working you hard enough. Do you think I’m
not working you hard enough, Ella?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Um…”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Thank
you for the suggestion. Everyone, Ella feels we should do more, so that’s what
we’re going to do. Five more reps, double-time!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a
wonder she didn’t fall dead under all the lethal stares.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At long
last the torture came to an end. The man who had been bent over stumbled from
the room while a few others simply dropped where they stood. Ella didn’t bother
to look around to what the newcomer was up to; in all probability he was
wishing her six feet under like the rest of the class.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I take
it you really like kickboxing?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the
process of toweling off her face and wishing she could strip out of her
high-necked, long-sleeved black compression shirt before she passed out from
heat exhaustion, Ella whirled around. Every nerve kicked into high gear as she
zeroed in on the man she’d noted earlier, now only a handful of feet away. First
Jacob, and now a stranger had snuck up on her. That went against her main
survival rule of always being aware of who was around her. This could not be
allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I
suppose.” Snappy comebacks weren’t a consideration when her touchy ideals of
personal security were compromised. In a world that was far more dangerous than
it appeared, getting caught off-guard was an absolute no-no. “Sorry about the
extra reps.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His
smile was a slanted work of art, designed for the sole purpose of staggering
the planet’s female population. “Don’t be. I need the work, and this was a fun
way to do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t
think <i>fun</i> would be the word everyone
would use to describe Jacob’s advanced kickboxing class.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It’s
all in the motivation. Take me, for instance—I’m not happy unless I’m pushed to
my limit. Not that I’m a big believer in limits.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somehow
this wasn’t a shocker. “I think a few people in class hit theirs.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You
didn’t. You were hitting just as hard at the end as you were at the beginning.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So he’d noticed
her. Ella had no idea if this was a good thing or bad thing. “I’m a trainer
here at The Body Electric, certified in strength and conditioning, self-defense
and sports medicine. If I can’t take whatever Jacob dishes out, I don’t deserve
to work here.” Then she closed her mouth with a click. Good grief, it must be
her evening for breaking personal rules. Information meant power, and personal
information gave power over her to people who had no right to it. Yet she’d
just offered up a cartload of her new life to a perfect stranger like she
didn’t know any better. It was like she’d forgotten every stay-alive lesson she’d
picked up in the past two years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who knew
she was such a sucker for a pretty face?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“A
personal trainer, huh?” His knockout smile widened, and she made herself look
to the task of folding her towel before she blurted her Social Security number
and cup size. “That explains it. No wonder I couldn’t keep up with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ella had
to bite her tongue to keep from assuring him that he’d kept up just fine. If
she did that, he would know she had been watching him, and that would lead to a
conversational brick wall. She didn’t want him to know she’d been aware of his
existence. She didn’t want to notice him, period. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disgusted
with her tangled thoughts, she tried to appear professionally aloof as she
back-pedaled in the direction of Jacob, snatching up the gym bag that doubled
as her bug-out kit. Packed with all the essentials she’d need in an emergency
that covered everything from earthquakes to zombie attacks, she never went
anywhere without it. “Take a few more of Jacob’s classes and you’ll be up to
speed in no time. Have a nice evening.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Hey—” <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Bye
now.” As she turned away, she winced at the faint wisp of the South rolling
through the words, overcoming her carefully crafted Chicago-Midwestern
monotone. Not good. Tiny imperfections like that might not mean much in the
grand scheme of things, but those little things added up. If she wasn’t careful,
she’d find herself having to pull up stakes before someone found her.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Out of
the corner of his eye, Nate watched as the woman made her retreat. She looped
her large gym bag’s shoulder strap across her body, all the while talking to
the bristle-haired sadist who’d ground his kickboxing class into the dust. She
was an animated little thing, gesturing with graceful hands as she offered up
what looked to be a heartfelt mea culpa with big, dark puppy eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pretty
eyes, certainly. Too bad they weren’t the color he remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bent
over his own bag, he wrapped his towel around a holstered semi-automatic
pistol, usually secured at the small of his back but now hidden in the bottom of
his gym bag. But his attention never veered from his target, watching her out
of the corner of his eye and cataloguing every detail. Aside from her gender, her
height was about the only accurate thing about her—somewhere around five-six or
five-seven. Her build was vastly different from the woman he’d met two years
ago. This woman was built like a long-distance runner—all long, lean limbs and
finely toned muscle covered in form-fitting workout gear. According to his
memory, the woman he was looking for had more meat on her bones. That was
definitely his personal preference.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And when
she’d looked at him, there had been no recognition. He’d done his best to catch
her off-guard, but when her gaze had met his there had been no telltale
reaction at all. At least, not on her end. He, on the other hand, was still
recovering. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keeping
her in his peripheral view, he rubbed an absent hand over his brow. The way
she’d nailed him with that unwavering, bring-it-on regard sent an electrical
jolt of hot awareness through his system, momentarily short-circuiting his
brain. Beauty he could handle—she was a knockout, no doubt about it—but the
power to throw him for a loop with a single glance was flat-out stunning. There
was nothing about her that he didn’t find appealing; he even liked the lyrical
way she moved, as though gravity didn’t affect her as much as it did everyone
else. The way she wore her hair, boyishly short and asymmetrical, made him want
to brush the long black bangs out of her face so he could look into those puppy
eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again,
pretty hair. And again, wrong color.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe he
was wrong. God knew it wouldn’t be the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kickboxing
instructor and the woman headed toward the heavy double doors that led back to
the brightly lit main reception area, the hub of the sprawling fitness center. In
unhurried movements he did the same, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he
went.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“…never
forget, you don’t have to worry about that.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Then
what was the first lesson I taught you, girl?” The older man’s voice, rough
from screaming like a bloodthirsty maniac for the past hour, was now calm
enough for Nate to pick up on a faint accent. Something foreign, exotic. “Always
be aware of your surroundings. Be an animal. They have better instincts than
humans. This is what you must be.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I know
that.” The woman’s voice came as a surprise—cold and hard as steel. Of all the
things that didn’t quite mesh with the woman he was looking for, that deadly
tone was the one thing that fit like a glove. “Stupid me, I allowed myself to feel
safe in your class.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You are
safe when I’m around,” came the automatic response. “Naturally, you will be
safe here. But this lapse…”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It’s
unacceptable. I agree.” Then she stiffened before she shot a deliberate glance
over her shoulder, pinning him to the spot—proof that she was more aware of her
surroundings than her companion. “Ah… Sorry. Are we blocking your way from
getting out of here?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Translation—<i>stop lurking behind us, creeper</i>. “Actually,
I was hoping I could speak with you. I assume that as a personal trainer, you
take on private clients?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was
an impulse. But asking while in front of the older man, someone she clearly
trusted, seemed like a decent idea so he rolled with it. When she paused and
looked him over as if he were a side of beef that may or may not be rancid, Nate
cursed his foundering instincts. God, he hated flying blind like this. Six
months since he’d lost his inner compass and he still hadn’t gotten used to
running on normal human instincts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe he
was wrong about her.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“My schedule
is pretty packed and I only train on-property. If you’re looking for concierge
service, you’ll need to talk to another trainer.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
allowed himself a small sigh of relief. At least it wasn’t a no. “I don’t even
know what concierge service is.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Jacob
here offers in-home personal training sessions, as well as dietary and lifestyle
guidance. If that’s what you’re looking for…”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“In-house
is good.” It was a cautious way of doing things, with no chance of putting herself
in a position where she’d be alone and at the mercy of another. A smart move
for any woman, but he liked how this wary trait fit his profile. If only he
could see her back, he’d know for certain that she was the one. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She gave
him another head-to-toe sweep, and for no reason at all his skin began to heat.
“Do you have a particular area you want to target?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“My
focus is to beef up my training for the Chicago marathon. My endurance sucks.” Did
Chicago even have a marathon? He was almost sure it did, though he couldn’t
imagine anyone voluntarily running in a place that seemed as frozen over as
Santa’s backyard. “I’ve been working out on my own but I’ve hit a plateau. When
you told me what your specialty is, it seemed like a sign from above.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
friend, Jacob, grunted a sound that could have meant anything before he took
his leave through the heavy doors. Nate watched the older man go with a surge
of two-toned relief. Not only did his absence signal that Nate had been deemed
harmless, but now that he had her all to himself he had a sudden urge to take
her off to someplace one hell of a lot more private than a gym doorway.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
watched Jacob’s retreat as well before she turned her attention back to him. “The
marathon is in October, so…seven months from now. Plenty of time to get your
stamina up to the level you need, as long as you’re serious about this.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Trust
me, I’m serious about everything I do.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t
trust without a very good reason.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
searched her face, trying to superimpose the memory of a shattered woman, pale
from blood loss and near death, over the woman who stood before him now. There
were many differences, but…yeah. She could be the one. “I’m guessing I’ll have
to work hard to earn that trust.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And
maybe not even then.” She dug through her packed duffle bag, a bulky nondescript
thing as understated as the rest of her outfit. To his eyes, everything about
her whispered at trying to be invisible. “Here’s my card with my email and the
number for The Body Electric—just leave a message for Ella. If you’re really
serious about this, give me a call or drop me an email that includes your
contact info so we can figure out a schedule that works for both of us. Though
I should warn you—as packed as my schedule is, it’s entirely possible I can’t
accommodate the times you’ll be free to train.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’ll
make sure our schedules will mesh…” He looked down at the card. “Ms. Little.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Ella,
please. And you are…?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Nate da
Luca. Call me Nate.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>“Call <i>me</i> when you’re ready.” And before he
could offer a hand she was through the doors, while his hand inexplicably
tingled at the lost opportunity to touch hers.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the way, something REALLY AMAZING also happened
this week along with all the other craziness. "March Madness" for the romance world
is starting again—the annual <a href="http://dabwaha.com/2014/03/10/announcing-the-2014-dabwaha-nominees/">DABWAHA</a> tournament has begun! Out of the thousands
of romance novels published throughout 2013, 64 titles have been chosen to go
head to head… and my novella, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Scratch-Stacy-Gail-ebook/dp/B00EFPO5KM/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394738386&sr=1-1">STARTING FROM SCRATCH</a> was one of them! More on
this on tomorrow’s post. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blurb for WOUNDED ANGEL:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Book three of The Earth Angels</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A descendant of the Angel of Vengeance, Nate da Luca was gifted
with an uncanny ability to find things. It made his job as a detective a
breeze—until he learned the hard way that some things should remain hidden.
After that, his powers vanished, along with his belief in himself. Which is
going to make tracking down Gabriella Littlefield for his latest client a
challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Personal trainer Ella Little paid a hefty price for her life—now
all she wants is to live it in peace. Then a sexy hulk of a man turns up in her
gym, reigniting desires she thought she'd left behind along with her real name
and hair color.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Desires she can't deny even after she discovers Nate's no stranger
to her dark past.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before he can convince her the attraction is mutual, Nate's going
to have to earn Ella's trust. But a demon is playing for keeps in the world of
humans, using Ella as bait, and the last thing they have is time…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Go back to the beginning with</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Nobody's Angel, <i>available
now!</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>63,000 words</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUY
LINKS:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/38A530B5-CB1E-4F2A-B760-5147BA37BA07/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=D42942DA-7DD1-4ABC-9BAB-ED4CFD8221D1">Carina
Press</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wounded-Angel-Earth-Angels-ebook/dp/B00BED26UE/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1366943990&sr=1-4&keywords=stacy+gail">Amazon</a>,
<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-woundedangel-1161571-140.html">ARe</a>,
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wounded-angel-stacy-gail/1114811856?ean=9781426895531">Barnes
& Noble</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_Wounded_Angel?id=S29lUbGgm8MC&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImJvb2stUzI5bFViR2dtOE1DIl0.">Google
Play</a>, <a href="http://www.ebooks.com/1127407/wounded-angel/gail-stacy/">ebooks.
com</a>, <a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Wounded-Angel/book-w20aasAFfEWjOMLgjJ7g2g/page1.html?s=0t1mG7-FA024zgOiZavhLA&r=3">Kobo</a>,
<a href="https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/stacy-gail/wounded-angel/_/R-400000000000001007618">Sony</a>,
<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B00CQ5VYNO&qid=1373138015&sr=1-1">Audible</a>,
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/stacy-gail/id444014253?mt=11">iTunes</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769932815369300740.post-35113295591358876722014-03-06T15:39:00.000-06:002014-03-06T15:41:46.304-06:00THROWBACK THURSDAY--Sara and Gideon's first kiss in SAVAGE ANGEL<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This must be the week for celebrating first kisses;
first I went all dreamy over Kyle and Nikita’s first kiss on Tuesday, and now I’m
taking a look back at the first kiss shared by Sara and Gideon in SAVAGE
ANGEL. Sara and Gideon had some bumps to
overcome—after all, the path to true love is never a smooth one—but even I was
surprised at how intense the chemistry was between them. They just worked,
these two complex characters. And their
first kiss proved it…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CE-gap3gi0ImVH_fPsqlzClPQwhWmn2S5fR1JQtQ7zP7l-FpuN0l92ccwvdtt79OZW-8WXqsYjL5uRPv9RDAEPl4pkVfNu61crIKdZ2293hQdJAxRZ39iMVJ5Z7GARuOyd_6tqzUMsgo/s1600/SavageAngelFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CE-gap3gi0ImVH_fPsqlzClPQwhWmn2S5fR1JQtQ7zP7l-FpuN0l92ccwvdtt79OZW-8WXqsYjL5uRPv9RDAEPl4pkVfNu61crIKdZ2293hQdJAxRZ39iMVJ5Z7GARuOyd_6tqzUMsgo/s1600/SavageAngelFinal.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sara.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A
rough sigh escaped Gideon as he stared blankly at the security pad by the
garage’s main door. Time and again the memory of trying to eject her from this
job flashed through his mind, and every time the memory of her stricken
expression sliced him like a blade. She’d recovered almost immediately, as there
didn’t seem to be anything that knocked her sideways for long. But it had been
there. He’d made her hurt, deliberately, for no other reason than he’d wanted
to be in control of <i>something</i>. So he’d
tried to control Sara.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Big
mistake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She’d
come way too close to the truth when she’d accused him of focusing all his
energies on her, and it grated that she knew him better than he knew himself
these days. And it wasn’t fair, especially when he knew zilch about her. But no
matter how hard he tried to convince himself otherwise, Gideon knew it was the
worst kind of stupid to pretend Sara Savitch was the source of all his
problems. <i>He</i> was the source, damn it.
And if he didn’t get his head screwed on straight he’d not only make a dangerous
situation even worse, he’d alienate her right out of his existence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn’t that the point?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gideon
scowled as the thought surfaced. It was true; a day ago that was exactly what
he’d wanted. More than anything he’d wanted to be alone for the rest of his
foreseeable life. Even now the thought of the ugliness that was his soul
spilling out to contaminate the people around him filled him with bleak despair.
It was better to push her away before he became addicted to having her in his
life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Except…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pushing
her away was feeling more and more like running away. And God help him, he was
sick of feeling like a coward.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Gideon.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As
if his thoughts had conjured her out of thin air, Gideon turned to find Sara
standing a few feet away in the near-dark, and he was amazed yet again that such
a tall woman could move so silently. He was also amazed at how luminescent her
skin was, even in the encroaching gloom. Her slanted dark brows and wide,
too-kissable mouth stood out against the starkness of her pale skin, her eyes
great, dark pools of fathomless mystery. She seemed almost unreal as she stood
there in the light that was neither night nor day, as if even the slightest
wrong move would make her vanish forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No more wrong moves, dumbass.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
held out a folded piece of paper. “Here’s a copy of all the new security codes,
as well as a list of my team’s cell phone numbers that you can call at any
time. Your father has a copy of this list as well. I would like to encourage
you both to memorize the codes as quickly as possible and input the phone numbers
into your personal phones, then destroy that list.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
took the paper without looking at it, far more interested in the dark gray of
her eyes. “Understood.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Please
keep all security-sensitive texts, cell phone calls and emails down to the
barest minimum. If you have any pertinent security questions, issues with Lynchpin
procedure or personnel, or unexpected schedule changes for either yourself or
your father, my team and I would appreciate it if you’d write them down or meet
with us face-to-face, rather than share this sensitive information
electronically. Do you have any questions?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
was at parade-rest, looking so unreachable it struck a hollow chord somewhere deep
inside him. But it was better for her to avoid him like the plague. Better… “How
badly have I screwed things up with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
surprise that bloomed in her exotic face mirrored his own. That wasn’t what
he’d planned on asking at all. Then the impassive mask she seemed to be in the
habit of wearing clamped down tight. “There’s nothing for you to be concerned
with, I assure you. Whatever unfortunate history we share is meaningless in the
face of my duty to protect your father. Nothing will distract me from—” <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Sara.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It
was like someone had hit her internal pause button. Or maybe the longing he
could hear vibrating in his tone had somehow severed her ability to move. Whatever
it was, she stilled with a thoroughly uncharacteristic deer-in-the-headlights
look, and that rare flash of vulnerability unraveled his resistance. He wasn’t
good enough to be around a class act like Sara and never would be. He knew
that. But…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His
hand raised on its own volition to her cheek, following that same instinct to
touch her that had overwhelmed him when they were in his kitchen. Admittedly that
hadn’t ended well for him. She’d moved so fast and with such precision that
about the time his hand was making acquaintance with his shoulder blade, it
occurred to him that he might not know what he was dealing with when it came to
Sara Savitch. But he didn’t care. She fascinated him in a way no other woman
ever had, and made him harder than any woman ever could. It didn’t matter that
he wasn’t good enough for her, or that she should run a country mile to get
away from him. He didn’t want her to run away, any more than he wanted to let
her go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
turned her head away from his hand with a swish of her glossy ponytail, her steely
gaze glued to the darkened horizon. If snubbing were an Olympic event, this one
would have earned her the gold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I
see.” Gideon’s voice was rougher than he’d intended. Small wonder. The longing
to touch her, taste her, was rising like a rogue wave to drown out the dead
certainty that this could only be bad for her. “I guess I should thank you for
giving me an honest answer.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A
muscle in her jaw jumped as she kept her face averted. With the greatest
care—because pulling back a bloody stump was a real possibility—he traced the
taut muscle with curious fingers before palming it. “I… You’re imagining
things. I know I’m not good in dealing with people, but even I can figure out
when I’m not communicating with them. And right now I’m choosing not to
communicate with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
had to smile at that. “But you are. Sort of.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
turned her head further away. If she went any further she’d give herself a
crick in the neck. “No.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Right
now you’re letting me know you’ve just about had it with me. Just about…but not
quite.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Oh,
really?” Her tone was as remote as the moon. “Pray tell, how am I telling you
that?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Body
language.” With a tenderness he’d believed he was no longer capable of, Gideon caressed
a thumb over her cheek to rest at the corner of her wide, made-for-kissing
mouth. “You’re not moving away from me, and you’re not knocking my ass to the
ground like we both know I deserve.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Don’t
tempt me.” There was a bite in her tone, but it was as weak as a kitten’s. That
rallied him enough to inch closer, until he could breathe in the ginger-spicy
scent she favored as his body rubbed, feather-light, against hers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feather-light
or not, where there was friction there was a danger of igniting a spark. A tiny
intake of breath whispered from her, telling him in no uncertain terms she
wasn’t immune to the allure of the flame. With a compulsion that should have
worried him if he’d slowed down long enough to think about it, he devoted
himself to the task of wringing that fluttery sound of arousal from her again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His
free arm curled around her waist to press against the small of her back. It
didn’t come as a surprise to find her stiff and unyielding. But miracle of
miracles, she wasn’t blasting him into the next zip code. His eyes closed,
savoring the moment before his lips glided a tentative caress against the
arched line of her neck. When he’d been overseas he’d spent countless hours
lying awake in his bunk, fighting the devouring darkness inside him with hardcore
daydreams about Sara. They’d been filled with exploring her silken skin in ways
he’d been too greedy to do when he’d raced to bury himself inside her on their
first meeting. His desperation then had been understandable; the most knock-’em-dead
woman he’d ever met was suddenly smack in the middle of his path mere hours
before he was to be shipped off to the world’s foremost hellhole. With that
kind of pressure hanging over him like an axe about to fall, it wasn’t any
wonder he’d hastened things along. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But
the rush to lose himself in mindless, hot sex with Sara—a living goddess if
there ever was one—had an unforeseen and debilitating side effect. He’d had an
entire year to lament how he hadn’t taken the time to savor the taste of her,
or embed the feel of her porcelain-pale skin into his nervous system. He had no
clue what her statuesque body looked like beneath the rigid, unflattering black
and white uniform she wore while on the job, and he could only imagine what her
straight fall of hair would feel like sifting through his fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Transplanted
a world away from her, this lack of knowledge had grown from a wistful desire
to an all-consuming obsession. She was better off not knowing a man like him,
he knew that. But he also knew he’d go nuts if he didn’t find out these
mysteries that made up Sara Savitch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When
she didn’t resist him—or at least break his jaw—Gideon grew bolder, taking a
velvety soft earlobe into his mouth while tangling his fingers in the cool
tresses of her ponytail.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah. Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
hands landed on his waist, neither pulling him close nor pushing him away. She
couldn’t have made it any plainer that she didn’t know what the hell to do with
him. “Wait. I’m ticklish there.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I
remember.” He considered telling her the memory of her had kept him sane when
he’d needed it the most, and alive when he didn’t necessarily want to be. The
words wouldn’t come, because they were too close to a festering darkness he
wasn’t ready to vent. Instead he palmed the back of her head and guided her
mouth to his. With any luck, she’d be able to figure out what she’d meant to
him through touch alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
moment his mouth captured hers, a floodgate of dazzling rightness opened up to
swamp his senses. Her spicy scent filled him until he didn’t want to breathe
anything else. Her lips molded against his like hot wax, scorching him with a
heat he yearned to bathe in forever. And her taste…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When
her mouth opened under his, Gideon shuddered as the primitive force of desire
slammed him senseless, a deep and edgy hunger unfurling in the pit of his gut
to make the sensitized flesh behind his zipper throb. Her taste was stormy and
hot and so addictive he wanted to stay this way for the next century or two. There
was no way he could want anything else, when the staggering flavor that was
Sara enslaved him and the sinuous dance of her tongue made the world melt away.
If the memory of her had gotten him through the worst kind of hell, the reality
of her was enough to convince him there must be a heaven, if only to be found
in her arms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arms
that were pushing him away. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arms
that were turning him out of heaven on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUY LINKS FOR SAVAGE ANGEL:</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Angel-Earth-Angels-Stacy-ebook/dp/B00A9V2XJQ/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_4_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391707354&sr=1-4">Amazon</a>
| <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/11769815-234F-419D-A78D-BD3749C59048/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=A7BC96E8-16A6-40DB-B1FF-BB23FA3B92E5">Carina
Press</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/savage-angel-stacy-gail/1113984607?ean=9781426895029">BN</a>
| <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_Savage_Angel?id=HJUAbmjvASwC&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImJvb2stSEpVQWJtanZBU3dDIl0.">Google
Play</a> | <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/savage-angel/id584861732?mt=11">iTunes</a>
| <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-savageangel-1040214-143.html">ARe</a>
| <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/Savage-Angel/58pGshj5FkCc3X9rimIzdA?MixID=58pGshj5FkCc3X9rimIzdA&PageNumber=1&s=vka640rI-kqQiM_gECb92w&r=4">Kobo</a>
| <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Savage-Angel-Audiobook/B00B5FPPPE?sr=1-4&qid=1359772048&ref_=sr_1_4">Audible</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
Stacy Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786553203175823108noreply@blogger.com0