Book Festivals

This is a summer that I've been looking forward to for a long time. Not just because it puts the thoughts of another obnoxious winter so far in my rear view mirror that it's nothing more than a fleeting glimpse, but for the adventure that is waiting just up the road.

I've always been curious about what it would be like to participate in a book festival. To be able to stand among the crowd of people and engage them in conversations about my stories is very appealing. I've been to a couple of small events in the past and always enjoyed them. Now it's my turn to get behind the counter. Not only once, but twice.

On Saturday, June 6, I'll be part of the group from Black Rose Writing at the Printer's Row festival in Chicago. This site has historically been a great event, where book lovers from all walks get a chance to mingle with authors and check out their books.  So if you're in the area, be sure to stop by and check it out.

http://printersrowlitfest.org/


Then two weeks later, on June 20, I've been invited to participate in the 11th annual Ann Arbor Book Festival.  Saturday wraps up a three-day event that has always been a big hit with authors and readers.  So if you're closer to Motown than Chi-town, come be part of the activities.  You just never know who you might run into. I'll have copies of all my books available.

http://aabookfestival.org/2015-festival/


And if you're feeling lucky, make sure you go to Goodreads and sign up for your chance to win a signed copy of "Vanishing Act"  the second book in the Jamie Richmond series.  Two copies will be given away on May 25.  Go for it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20600583-vanishing-act

Bringing the Heat (Part 3)

This is the third and final segment to this bit.  Which makes sense, since I've only written three of the Jamie Richmond mystery/romance novels to date. While I do have ideas for a couple more, I'm trying to work on the sequel to "Why 319?" because that is demanding more of my attention. It's like this little nagging mosquito that keeps hovering around my ear. Swatting it doesn't do any good. The only thing that will silence it is writing. So that's my plan for today.

Meanwhile, back to the third segment about 'Bringing the Heat'.  A friend who read the passage that follows said it definitely got her attention.  I don't know if that means she wanted a cigarette afterwards or maybe a cold drink. Either way, I'll take that as a compliment.  So here's a quick shot out of "Fleeing Beauty" for your consideration.

      With one arm around my waist, he held me close. I felt his other hand cup the back of my head as he held me still, driving me crazy with a long, slow, wet kiss. I was squirming on his lap with excitement now. And he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

       He released me head, drawing his hand slowly down to my breast. I tipped my head back. He was licking and kissing my throat. Electricity was running wild through my core. And then just as suddenly, Malone was standing, holding me in his arms. This was no easy trick, getting out of the clutches of the aunt. Without a word, he eased me down until my feet touched the hard wood floor.

       “Malone?”

       “Hush, Jamie. I want you to do exactly what I say.”

       He stepped over and switched off the light. For an instant I was nervous, until I saw the mischievous sparkle in his eyes. Now he turned me around so that I was facing one arm of the sofa. Malone guided me back to the cushions, only now I was kneeling with my back to him.  I could feel the stubble of his beard lightly scratching my shoulders. He turned his head enough to inhale the perfume I’d splashed on when changing. It wasn’t strong, but it lingered. I felt a tingling sensation race down my arms as Malone’s hot breath warmed my shoulder blades. He tugged the tank top. Now his lips were slowly moving down the ladder of my spine.  I couldn’t move. Even if I wanted to.

       A solitary fingertip lightly slid down the back of my arm. He was barely touching me, but oh, baby, where he was touching and how he was touching was setting me on fire. He shifted lower. I felt the bottom of the tank top move up, exposing my stomach, the small of my back and my ribs. I cried out in surprise when Malone nipped me with his teeth, lightly grazing the spot on my back where my kidneys were. The fingertip continued to graze my arm.

       I felt his lips move back to my spine. Now his tongue flicked out and danced the rest of the way down, pausing at the waistband of my shorts. His fingertip was gone now, darting quickly in front to undo my shorts. Somehow he shoved my shorts down until they were bunched up by my knees. Then his fingernails were lightly scratching my legs from the hips to the thighs while he continued to kiss the bottom of my spine. I was shaking. Again I felt a fingertip glide across the back of my knee.

       “Take me, Malone. I can’t stand it.”

       “Soon, Jamie. Soon.”

       “Now, Malone, please!”

       I felt his palm squeeze my left calf. My orgasm was building so intensely, I was afraid I was going to implode. His lips danced across the cheeks of my ass. He nipped me again.

       “Malone! You’re killing me!”

       He pulled back for a heartbeat. Somehow he managed to free himself from his jeans. I felt him press against me. I was so wet, so aroused, I screamed when he entered me. My body was quivering, delightful spasms causing my whole being to quake. Never before had I experienced something so intense, so overpowering. And still he held me, driving me forward, urging me on for more. I screamed again as he exploded inside me.

Bringing the Heat (Part Two)

Last time I wrote about the different heat levels that the publisher assigns to books. So to continue in that vein, here’s an excerpt from the second book in the series, “Vanishing Act”.  This story is about Jamie’s best friend Linda, who becomes the subject of a stalker. But it’s also a tale about the relationship between Jamie and Malone and how they are still getting to know each other.

If you like this segment, you may also want to stop by Goodreads and sign up to win one of two autographed print copies. The link is below.  Hope you enjoy it.

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20600583-vanishing-act

Apparently Malone wanted to take advantage of the fact that I was so close. With one hand pressing me close, he pulled my robe open, drawing the sash free. Turning, Malone eased me onto the bed, moving me closer to the headboard. My body was on fire. I wanted to shed my robe and nightgown and feel Malone’s skin on mine.

His kisses were incredible. On this night he started with my eyes, lightly kissing the lids. Then he moved across my cheekbones with a little more pressure. His warm breath and lips were on the shell of my ear. Then he was nuzzling behind my ear, touching with his lips a spot so sensitive that I thought my heart might explode. It was as if Malone had discovered yet another level of passion and was ready to introduce me to it. I moaned as he pushed my arms up above my head.

He was still kissing me, moving his lips over to mine now, toying with me. I could feel his hands sliding up and down my arms, stretching me out on the bed. And then I realized I couldn’t move my arms. My eyes snapped open. Malone had a devilish grin on his face as he pulled back.

“What are you doing?” My voice was a throaty rasp.

“I’m just fulfilling a fantasy or two.”

He had used the satin sash from my robe to bind my wrists to the wooden headboard. I squirmed beneath him as the realization sunk in.

“Somehow I always pictured myself naked or wearing some sexy lingerie when I thought of this, Malone. Not dressed in a flannel nightgown.”

He sprawled beside me on the bed. Then with one hand, he slowly began to pull my nightgown up. I felt his hands everywhere. As he raised it above my hips, Malone resumed kissing me. And I sensed this was one fantasy I’d want to revisit. Now he moved the nightgown higher. Just the idea of him taking advantage of me this way was a rush. My body was thrumming like a guitar string. And Malone was a master musician.

“Jamie,” he whispered in my ear. He was beside me now, lightly kissing my face while his hands continued their explorations. “How long should I keep you tied up?”

“A minute,” I gasped “or for an hour or two.” In my wildest fantasies, this is the part where I would make a feeble attempt at escaping. But that wasn’t happening.

“I wonder how close I can get you,” he said as he drew patterns on my thighs with his fingertips, long slow circles and ovals.

“I’m already going to peak. The question is, how many times?”

Malone raised his head to look deeply into my eyes. “How many times would you like to peak, Jamie?”

“More than half a dozen will probably put me in the hospital, Malone.”

“Then you’d better keep count,” he said.