tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72370851102833320262024-03-13T10:49:32.732-07:00Romance Author Kristen ProbyAll things Kristen Proby. Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-18998880282881048952014-11-04T19:53:00.000-08:002014-11-04T19:53:22.978-08:00Two Year Anniversary in this crazy life...November 7th marks the two year anniversary of Come Away With Me being available for sale. It's only been two years, and yet so much has happened. My life is completely different from where it was that day that I first pressed publish.<br />
<br />
I've since released eight more books and three novellas. I've hit the New York Times and USA Today lists. My books have been downloaded (by LEGAL means) more than a million times, and have been translated in a half dozen languages. I've been able to travel the globe. I've worked with one of the top publishing houses in the world.<br />
<br />
I met Nora Roberts and have been invited to return to Boonsboro, MD in February as a signing author.<br />
<br />
And you know what the kicker is? The icing on this incredible cake? Because what I've just listed is so amazing, so crazy, that I can't even believe it's happened to me. But it gets better.<br />
<br />
So much better.<br />
<br />
The best part of all of this is the people I've met. The talented authors, the dedicated bloggers. The loyal and wonderful readers.<br />
<br />
You see, I've been given such a gift in all of this. As trite and cliche as it sounds, my dreams have come true, AND, the relationships I've forged during this journey are ones that will be life-long, and I can't imagine my life without them.<br />
<br />
How damn lucky am I to rub elbows with the likes of Jennifer Armentrout? To take vacations with Laurelin Page? To be able to call Alice Clayton or Christina Lauren at a whim, just to chat? To have Jay Crownover say to ME that she was nervous when she first met me and she loves my books?<br />
<br />
Seriously?<br />
<br />
But it gets better.<br />
<br />
The bloggers who have been with me from day one, and they know who they are. There are too many to name individually. They are voracious in their passion for my work. They believe in me so completely and are so loyal to me, they make me feel safe. Cared for. Respected.<br />
<br />
Cherished.<br />
<br />
I can never thank them enough for having my back, for promoting my work, for agreeing, every single time, to help me even before I've given them even a sample of my work in progress so they know what they're representing. They simply jump on board, because they believe in me so much. There are times that that seems... overwhelming. I mean, it's a lot of pressure. But it's also great motivation to keep working, to continue honing my craft so these amazing women who stand behind, and next to, me are proud to be here.<br />
<br />
Thank you. So much.<br />
<br />
And then... I'm telling you... it gets even BETTER.<br />
<br />
I've met thousands of readers at this point. I'm lucky to be able to attend signing events through out the year to meet and say thank you to those of you who love my stories. It's always so damn fun, and it never gets old. Not for one minute. I've said it before, and I maintain that I have the best readers in the world. You're smart, funny, sexy, loyal. Fiercely loyal. You make me smile. Sometimes you make me cry, but only in the best of ways. You never stop surprising me with your dedication and enthusiasm for my stories.<br />
<br />
Thank you. For reading, for talking about the books with each other. For all of your gifts and letters. Thank you for never giving up on me.<br />
<br />
This journey has only started. My career is still a young one, and I have so much still to learn. It's been the best education of my life. Every day is an amazing day. I love every minute of my job, and I never plan to stop. I'm living my best life.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
Kristen<br />
<br />
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<br />Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-28360002681872007532014-08-17T21:26:00.000-07:002014-08-17T21:33:05.541-07:00Let's talk books...<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hello, friends! I’m unusually reflective this
evening, as I prepare for all of you to have SEDUCING LAUREN in your hands on
Tuesday. This is the second book in the LOVE UNDER THE BIG SKY series, and as
I’ve said before, this is one of my very favorite couples of all of my books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And that’s saying a lot because choosing a
favorite is like choosing a favorite child. It’s impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But while I’m super excited for Tuesday (and,
if the truth be told, I’m as nervous as a whore in church too), what I’ve been
thinking about tonight is reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Because at the heart of it all, I’m a reader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I don’t believe that I can be an effective
writer, an engaging writer, a learning writer, without also being a reader.
And, let’s face it, it’s my first love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There’s nothing better than getting lost in a
story. When the words are magic, and you’re sucked into a world you didn’t even
know existed, with characters who quickly become friends. I want to root for
the characters. Cheer them on, hurt for them, cry with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And when it’s over, I want to try to flip the
page to read more, stunned to discover that I’ve reached the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Already?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the past few months there have been some
books that have done this for me. I’d love to share them with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">An author that I just discovered this year is
the amazing Jill Shalvis. This woman can write the hell out of a love story. I
devoured all of her Lucky Harbor series, Animal Magnetism series, and every
other book she’s ever written in the matter of about two months. I couldn’t
read them fast enough. Jill is a master at what I love most; the family/small
town saga. Her heroes are simply sexy, alpha deliciousness. Her love scenes are
H-O-T. If you haven’t read her before, DO NOT WAIT! Start with the beginning of
a series, any series, and dig in. She will delight you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #eeeeee; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;">"<b>Where did that flashlight come from?" Chloe asked. </b></span></div>
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #eeeeee; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;">"My purse."</span></b></div>
<b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Chloe looked at Tara. "She carries a flashlight in her purse."</div>
</span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
"For emergencies," Maddie said, trying to see into the yard.</div>
</span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
"You have any chocolate?" Chloe asked hopefully. "For emergencies?"</div>
</span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
"Of course. Side Pocket, next to the fork." </div>
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">— <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/22370.Jill_Shalvis" style="text-decoration: none;" title="Jill Shalvis quotes">Jill Shalvis</a> (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7863423-simply-irresistible" style="text-decoration: none;">Simply Irresistible (Lucky Harbor, #1)</a>)</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #181818; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JYCe3Bbhhs0/U_Fzo9FWgmI/AAAAAAAADrk/ErNsAxIaXnU/s1600/Simply%2BIrresistible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JYCe3Bbhhs0/U_Fzo9FWgmI/AAAAAAAADrk/ErNsAxIaXnU/s1600/Simply%2BIrresistible.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A book that left me with a naughty grin and
begging for more was SWEET FILTHY BOY by Christina Lauren. It’s no secret that
I adore their Beautiful series, and the first in the new Wild Seasons series,
and featuring the delectable Ansel was… EVERYTHING. Funny, sexy,
heart-wrenching. Did I mention sexy? So damn sexy. The first five chapters had
me in stitches, laughing until I thought I was going to pee myself. It’s
utterly charming. I adore Christina Lauren. The talent in these two women is
staggering. They also have a YA Paranormal book releasing in a couple months,
SUBLIME, as well as more from the Beautiful series and the Wild Seasons series.
These women are BUSY! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">"You should see him with his shirt off."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Ansel rocks on his heels, sipping his drink. "Please continue as if I'm not here. This is fantastic." </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">— </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/6556689.Christina_Lauren" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px;" title="Christina Lauren quotes">Christina Lauren</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"> SWEET FILTHY BOY</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Another series that I devoured like it was
carrot cake (I really love carrot cake) was the Marriage to a Billionaire
series by the amazing Jennifer Probst. This series is just… Wow. Romantic, and
sassy. Sensual. Sexy as hell. Again, Jennifer does a great job writing a family
saga. One of the reasons that I write in this style is because I enjoy seeing
the characters from pervious books, to see how they are, what they’re up to.
I’m nosy as hell. And I love this series so much. These will be old friends
that I return to over and over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cccccc; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"><b>He closed the distance another tight inch. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and her nipples were hard little points stabbing out of the scarlet material, begging to be freed. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her perfume swamped his senses. He grew hard, and her eyes widened as his full length throbbed against her leg in demand. </b></span></div>
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #cccccc; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #cccccc; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;">“I’m calling your bluff, baby.” </span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Pure shock registered on her face as he removed one hand from the wall to casually unbutton his shirt, slide off his tie, then grasp her chin with a firm grip. </div>
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;">“Prove it.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;">-Jennifer Probst, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13486122-the-marriage-bargain">The Marriage Bargain (Marriage to a Billionaire, #1)</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AnrniLxFYQw/U_F1nrvGl8I/AAAAAAAADr4/AjMYmRIiBZQ/s1600/the%2Bmarriage%2Bbargain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AnrniLxFYQw/U_F1nrvGl8I/AAAAAAAADr4/AjMYmRIiBZQ/s1600/the%2Bmarriage%2Bbargain.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">An author that I recently fell in love with is
Marie Force. This lady also writes a family saga like a master. Her Gansett
Island and Green Mountain series are just spectacular. You will fall in love
with the fictional towns that the stories take place in, as well as the quirky,
sexy characters she creates. Marie will rip your heart out. Her characters face
such real, painful obstacles, and she expresses their emotions so clearly, so
flawlessly, you will be caught up in every page, cursing Mother Nature when you
have no choice but to pee and eat. I lose myself in Marie’s stories, and always
plan to settle in for a long, happy read. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="text-align: left;">"I think," she said, tipping her head to give him better access, "that at least once in a lifetime, every girl should be pressed up against a wall and kissed stupid by a sexy man." </span><br style="text-align: left;" /><span style="text-align: left;">— </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/1508588.Marie_Force" style="text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" title="Marie Force quotes">Marie Force</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">An author that I’ve loved for decades, and
began rereading this year, is Lori Foster. If you’ve never read her, please do.
She writes one hell of a sexy man. If there were any heroes that I wish were
real, it’s Lori’s men. These guys… they make you swoon, smile, bite your lip and
hold your breath. They make you laugh and squirm and want to slap them. They’re
infuriating. And absolutely wonderful. I love that many of Lori’s heroines are
not the stereotypical size 2, perfectly gorgeous supermodel. They’re real
women, with insecurities and sass and flavor. And their men love them FIERCELY.
The lust and passion is out of control, my friends. Two of my favorites by her
are TOO MUCH TEMPTATION and NEVER TOO MUCH. The heroes in these books are
brothers, and they will leave you with wide, happy grins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">“I want sex. Hot, wet, grinding sex. I want a woman who’s willing to give me her body, in any way I want it. But until I get everything else squared away, that’s all I want. No commitments. And God only knows how long that’ll take.” ~ Noah Harper </span></strong></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18CqWVhpUGA/U_F7pcrCepI/AAAAAAAADsY/PsQHnqklFbU/s1600/Never%2BToo%2BMuch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18CqWVhpUGA/U_F7pcrCepI/AAAAAAAADsY/PsQHnqklFbU/s1600/Never%2BToo%2BMuch.jpg" height="320" width="182" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And finally, my own personal idol, Nora
Roberts. I could go on and on for pages about why I love Nora’s work, but I’ll
just talk about two of her series that I’ve already reread this year. The first
is the CHESEPEAKE BAY TRILOGY, about four very different, yet all very sexy
brothers and how a family tragedy brings them together, and ultimately each one
to his soul mate. I’ve reread this series many times over the years. I have
signed paperbacks that are well-loved, and retired on my bookshelf. This series
is the very best family saga I’ve ever read. It’s about loyalty, integrity,
doing what’s right even when it doesn’t feel good. It’s about falling in love
with not just a partner, but with a family, a town and the people in it.
Cameron, Ethan, Phillip and Seth are forever in my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The
other series by Nora that I’ve been reading is the GALLAGHERS OF ARDMORE
trilogy, JEWELS OF THE SUN, TEARS OF THE MOON and HEART OF THE SEA. These books
are set in Ireland, and while I read them, I can smell the sea, see the deep
green hills and old ruins on the countryside, and the inflection of the Irish
accent is simply beautiful in the dialogue. Nora does an amazing job of
absorbing everything about the country into her prose, making you believe that
you’re right there with those characters. I also love the story of the
centuries-old tale of a Faerie Prince and his true love, and the spell he cast
on them. The whole trilogy is simply magical.</span></div>
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #cccccc; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"Please let me go."</span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
"Anna." He lowered his brow to hers. "Don't ask me to do that, because I don't think I can live without you. Take a chance, roll the dice. Come with me." </div>
</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">— </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/625.Nora_Roberts" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" title="Nora Roberts quotes">Nora Roberts</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> (</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/628139.Sea_Swept" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Sea Swept (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #1)</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggqcM-HaxJU/U_F-1J_t9bI/AAAAAAAADsk/KmmGyGkMXuc/s1600/jewels%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bsun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggqcM-HaxJU/U_F-1J_t9bI/AAAAAAAADsk/KmmGyGkMXuc/s1600/jewels%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bsun.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqA7-upyNNY/U_F-3AcMOkI/AAAAAAAADss/bD4n3OLiDiQ/s1600/sea%2Bswept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqA7-upyNNY/U_F-3AcMOkI/AAAAAAAADss/bD4n3OLiDiQ/s1600/sea%2Bswept.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And, there you have it. This is what I’ve been
reading. I enjoy a true contemporary love story. I want there to be obstacles,
but at the heart of it, I want to watch the couple fall in love. I want to see
why they’re attracted to each other, and I want to watch that attraction grow.
I want them to get angry, but never give up. And at the end, I always, always
want a happy ending. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Because in these love stories, the love is the
most important thing. It’s important to me that there’s a place I can hide
where everything really is okay in the end. The guy always gets the girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There is happy ever after.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Always happy ever after.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-9765358508303786212014-07-16T13:53:00.000-07:002014-07-16T13:53:05.371-07:00First excerpt of SEDUCING LAUREN!!I'm so excited to share this new book with you! As you know, the second book in the LOVE UNDER THE BIG SKY series, SEDUCING LAUREN releases on August 19th! It's only a month away! I love this book with all my heart, and between you and me, Ty may be my favorite hero that I've ever written.<br />
<br />
I know. Don't tell the others.<br />
<br />
This story is romantic and sexy, but it also deals with some pretty heavy issues. Things like domestic abuse, divorce and family strife. I'm proud of it, and I can't wait for you all to read it!<br />
<br />
So excited in fact, that I'm going to give you a taste of it today. Here is an excerpt from SEDUCING LAUREN!<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">As I approach his house, I see his Jeep
parked in the drive, the hood up, and a tight, jean-clad ass bent over the
side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Okay,
he’s definitely home.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I tentatively wander around the other
side of the Jeep and lean against the side, looking at the engine. He hasn’t
noticed that I’m here yet, and I’m not even sure how he’ll react to seeing me
here, but I can’t seem to stay away. His dark head is bent low, his arms buried
in the engine, tinkering with something. His arms are bare as he’s pulled off
his T-shirt, which is draped over the windshield. A thin sheen of sweat covers
his shoulders and back, and his entire sleeve tattoo, which runs from just
above his wrist all the way up to the top of his right shoulder, is on full
display, making my girlie parts all tingle and come to life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Holy
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He’s so fucking toned it’s crazy. Jeez,
his muscles bunch and stretch as he pulls on the wrench in his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Come on, you motherfucker,” he mutters.
I have to bite my lips to keep from laughing out loud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So, what seems to be the problem?” I
finally ask when he doesn’t notice me, keeping my eyes trained on the engine
when his head whips up to look at me. I slowly lift my eyes to his and grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I didn’t hear your car,” he murmurs with
a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I walked.” I shrug and look back down
into the bowels of his Jeep. “What’s wrong with your car?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You walked from your house?” he asks
incredulously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No.” I shake my head and chuckle. “From Sips.
I had coffee with Cara this morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He stands up straight and leans his palms
on the side of the Jeep, watching me. My eyes immediately fall to one drop of
sweat slowly making its way down his hard chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You had coffee with Cara?” He smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yeah.” I shrug shyly. “I’m sorry to just
stop by like this. I was out for a walk and just sort of found myself here.” I
feel my cheeks heat and I back away, but he shakes his head and smiles widely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m glad you came by.” He raises his
brows as I continue to stare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I shake my head and raise my eyes to his,
then bust out laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why are you laughing?” he asks with a
wide grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Because I don’t think I’ve ever seen you
without a shirt. I didn’t realize the tats went all the way up your arm. Who
would have thought that under it all you’re just a bad boy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His eyes flash with heat as he narrows
them on my face, watching me. He pulls a rag out of his back pocket and begins
wiping off his hands, but his gray eyes stay on mine. Did I offend him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m not such a bad boy. Looks can be
deceiving, Lauren.” He smirks as he lowers the hood on his Jeep. “But from the
look of you right now, you don’t seem to mind the tats.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I don’t mind.” I shrug nonchalantly and
try to ignore the way my heart picks up speed as he slowly saunters around the
hood of the vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Do you have any tats?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His eyes widen in surprise and then rake
over me from head to toe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Where?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I grin, enjoying this flirtatious banter.
“Here and there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I have ways of making people talk, you
know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Bright lights and rubber hoses?” I ask
with a raised brow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He tosses his head back and laughs, an
all-out belly laugh. “I’m not a cop,” he smirks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You might get to see them. Someday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He closes the gap between us and kisses
me gently on the forehead, not touching me anywhere else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I hope someday comes sooner rather than
later,” he whispers before pulling back and smiling softly down at me. “I would
hug you, but I’m dirty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I wave him off, as if it’s no biggie,
although I don’t mind so much that he’s a bit dirty and sweaty. “What were you
doing?” I gesture to the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Changing the oil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“There are places you can go,” I inform
him with a perfectly straight face, “where you pull into this big garage, and
then you leave your car and go into this small room with five-year-old
magazines and stale coffee, and the people there will change your oil for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Or, smart-ass, I can do it myself in my
own driveway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Suit yourself.” I shrug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Did you sleep okay on the couch?” he
asks, changing the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yeah, actually, I did. But I could
always sleep just about anywhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hence the chaise in your office.” He
chuckles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I nod and stuff my hands in my pockets.
“I’m sorry that I interrupted your morning. I was just out for a walk and found
myself here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m glad you did.” He scratches his
stomach, and my eyes follow the movement. His abs are just delicious. For being
so dark haired, he has little hair on his chest and stomach, but a light trail
of hair falls from his navel and disappears into his jeans. He’s also sporting
a V in the muscles on his hips that the heroes in my novels would covet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Lo?” he asks with a wide grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yeah?” I drag my eyes up to his again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I lost you for a second.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I blink rapidly and feel heat fill my
cheeks. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus, get a grip! You’ve seen
hot men before, Lauren.</i> “Sorry, my mind wandered.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">You can preorder now!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seducing-Lauren-Love-Under-Book-ebook/dp/B00GEEB4Y2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405543655&sr=8-1&keywords=seducing+lauren" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seducing-lauren-kristen-proby/1117313597?ean=9781476759371" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/seducing-lauren/id737363489?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G9bNGRRYE0I/U8bmD-6f6JI/AAAAAAAADrI/wcYjasOvswU/s1600/IMG_5101-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G9bNGRRYE0I/U8bmD-6f6JI/AAAAAAAADrI/wcYjasOvswU/s1600/IMG_5101-1.jpg" height="640" width="392" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-25461345779500475842014-07-14T13:46:00.001-07:002014-07-14T13:52:00.622-07:00More than a MILLION copies in readers' hands!When I pressed <i>publish</i> for the first time in November of 2012, I crossed my fingers and prayed with my whole heart that just a few people that I wasn't related to would buy and read my book.<br />
<br />
That was my only goal.<br />
<br />
I am stunned and proud to announce that not only did that dream come true, but as of today, more than ONE MILLION COPIES of my books are currently in readers' hands.<br />
<br />
That's a lot of books, my friends.<br />
<br />
All I can really say is thank you. From the bottom of my heart. It's an honor and a privilege to know that you spend your hard-earned money on my stories. That you love my characters as much as I do, and welcome them into your hearts like family.<br />
<br />
I'm a reader too. I get it. The magnitude of this is not lost on me.<br />
<br />
And so it's with grateful tears and a humble heart that I say again, thank you. Without you, I wouldn't be living this wild, amazing, stunning life.<br />
<br />
And let me tell you, it's a wild ride.<br />
<br />
So to thank you properly, I think we need a giveaway. Here's what's up for grabs:<br />
<br />
A signed full set of the With Me In Seattle Series.<br />
A signed copy of Loving Cara.<br />
A signed Galley copy of Seducing Lauren.<br />
A signed t-shirt from Cafe du Monde.<br />
A $25 Amazon OR iTunes gift card (winner's choice).<br />
<br />
One lucky winner will win the whole lot! THIS IS OPEN INTERNATIONALLY. You have until July 20, 2014 to enter. To enter, simply comment below and tell me how you were first introduced to my books. I'd love to hear your stories!<br />
<br />
Thank you, each of you. ONE MILLION BOOKS. Wow. That's a lot of words.<br />
<br />
Happy Reading,<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com234tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-17618347943449338952014-06-29T00:20:00.000-07:002014-06-29T00:21:41.258-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color:;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Breathe With Me</span></span></h2><span style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sometimes you meet the right person at the wrong time… </span><br />
<br style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /> <span style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mark Williams has loved Meredith since he was seventeen. A successful man with a strong family, he’s worked hard to move on from Meredith breaking his heart all those years ago. When his path crosses with the only woman he’s ever loved again years later, Mark knows there is nothing he won’t do to keep her in his life. But when the going gets tough, will Meredith stick around or will he lose her again? </span><br />
<br style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /> <span style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">…But true love has a way of finding its way back. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /> <span style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Meredith Summers is a dancer. One of the first things she learned in following her dreams is that timing is everything. She has spent the past ten years following her dream touring with mega-stars while trying to forget the high school sweetheart she left behind. Now she’s back in Seattle, running a successful dance studio with her best friend Jax and determined to move on from her gypsy past. Until the day she sees Mark Williams and time stands still. It’s as if no time has passed at all when Meredith finds herself in Mark’s arms again. The chemistry, the bonds and the love are as strong as ever and hearing Mark whisper breathe with me in her ear is a balm to her wounded soul. But will she grab onto this second chance at love, or is the timing all wrong for them again? </span><br />
<br style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /> <span style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Don't miss catching up with the Montgomery and Williams clans in this latest installment of the With Me In Seattle Series from New York Times bestselling author, Kristen Proby. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /> <span style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“There were days that I would have exchanged a year of my life just to touch you one more time.” –Mark Williams</span><br />
<span style="background-color: ; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-3493001807203763822014-04-01T09:38:00.003-07:002014-04-01T09:38:31.504-07:00Let's talk about Piracy...<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
need to speak for a moment about piracy. Before I do, I want to clarify by
saying that sharing a book that you love with your friend so she can love it
too is NOT piracy. That’s sharing your love of reading, and hopefully opening
your friend up to a new reading experience. This is not what this post is
about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">All
artists who publish their work struggle daily with piracy. I hire a service,
Muso, that works every day to find files that have been shared without my
permission and sends those distributors what we call a DMCA notice, which
requires that distributor, by law, to abide by copyright law and remove the
material that they don’t have permission to distribute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Usually
for free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
painful and time consuming and a pain in the ass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
today it’s gone a step farther.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
noticed yesterday that my newest release, TIED WITH ME, was “on sale” on Amazon
for $3.03. The regular price is $3.99, and I did not put the book on sale.
Because it’s self published, I hold all control of the price of the book. When
I contacted my representative at Amazon, I was told that they were price
matching with Google Play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
was stunned. I don’t offer my books on Google Play. I’d never uploaded the file
for sale on Google Play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">After
emailing colleagues, my agent and publicist, I came to the realization that my
book had been illegally uploaded onto Google Play. Someone had posed as the
publisher and put <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my book</i> up for sale
on Google Play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">WITHOUT
MY PERMISSION.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
would like to say that upon receiving my phone calls and emails today, Google
Play has done everything in their power to make this situation right by taking
the steps to have it removed from the site. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">However,
that doesn’t eclipse the big problem. A “publisher” by the name of Gesserit
Publishing, based in North Carolina, is the person who uploaded and sold my
book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
going to make sure that they don’t get away with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">To
my colleagues, all self-published authors, if you have NOT uploaded your books
to Google Play, I suggest you look to see if they’re offered for sale there and
file a DMCA if they are without your permission. I’m quite sure I’m not this
despicable person’s only victim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">To
put this in perspective, imagine working 60+ hours a week and when payday rolls
around, your check is given to someone else. Someone who did nothing to earn
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
an artist, yes, but I’m also a savvy businesswoman. I work hard. We all do. My
books are reasonably priced. There is no need to steal from me or anyone else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
looking into legal action regarding this matter. I’m devastated that someone
was able to upload and SELL my work on a major retailer, and am determined to
get to the bottom of it. Gesserit Publishing, which I’m sure is an alias, will not
get away with this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">To
the vast majority of you who read and love my books through legal and moral
means, thank you. It means the world to me and to other authors to know that
you invest your time and your hard-earned money into our work. I know that you’re
on a budget. We all are. I appreciate you, more than you know, for choosing to
spend even a small amount of your money on my work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kristen
Proby<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-50533018305321180612014-03-24T18:40:00.004-07:002014-03-24T18:40:28.975-07:00Writing as I see it...<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
writing this blog post because I’m asked on a daily basis for any advice I have
for aspiring authors. Because I’m asked EVERY DAY, I decided it would just save
a lot of time to write my answer here, for everyone to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ll
start by saying that I’m no writing teacher or guru. I don’t have all of the
answers. I’ve been blessed with a successful career. A career that is still in
its infancy, and I hope that it only continues to build. So anything that I say
here is strictly my opinion, stated from my own experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">First
thing’s first: if you want to be a writer, you have to WRITE. A lot. Like
anything else, writing is a craft that you have to work at. It’s not going to
be great in the beginning. You have to LEARN, and the only way to do that is to
write. Every day. Write when you don’t feel like it. When it doesn’t feel good
and when it does. Because there will honestly be days when it feels like every
word that comes out of you is being torn from your chest. And there will be
days when the words flow like magic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Write
on both of those days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Write
every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now,
I will say this: if you write with the sole intention of publishing and
becoming rich, you should really quit now. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh, but
it’s the truth. Writing is an art, and just like any other art form, painting,
music, dance, it lives within you. Story telling isn’t easy. Finding the words
to string together to make the story worth reading is even harder. I write
because I don’t have a choice. I am a writer. Let me say that again. I. Am. A.
Writer. It’s part of my DNA. I’ve written since before I knew how to spell all
of the words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">So,
while becoming a published author was a goal, it’s never been what has driven
my need to write. I write because there simply is no other choice. It lives in
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">To
become an accomplished writer, you have to write a lot of really bad stuff
before you start producing the good. I have numerous novels tucked away that
will never be read. There are even more that are half-finished and are so
horrendous I couldn’t continue them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
I learned from each one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">That’s
the key. You write through the bad and learn how to improve. There are many
ways to do that. Here are a few that I’ve done over the years:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Classes.
I’ve taken dozens of classes from writers and editors. And I’ve soaked in what
they had to say like a sponge. I didn’t always agree with them, but I took what
they had to say and applied it to my own writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Critique
groups/Writing partners. I suggest finding a couple writers that you can
brainstorm with and read each other’s work to help each other grow. This has
been beyond helpful through the years for me. I do recommend, however, that you
choose partners who won’t blow smoke up your ass. Telling you that everything
you write is the best thing they’ve ever read is not going to help you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Take
the constructive criticism in the spirit in which it’s intended. In other
words, when your critique partner says, “I think you can make it so much
stronger if you…” don’t immediately become defensive and argue about why the
way you wrote it is so much better. Listen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
not easy as an artist to be told that someone doesn’t like your work. Scratch
that. It can feel like someone tore open your chest, ripped your still beating
heart from your ribcage and shredded it. It sucks. No one likes bad reviews.
But, if it’s constructive feedback, if the person giving the opinion is
specific about what they didn’t like, and what would have made the story
stronger for them, you can learn from it for future projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then
again, sometimes people are just assholes. I trust that you’re smart enough to
tell the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
you feel confident that you’ve honed your craft and you’ve bled and cried onto
the page and you’re ready to share it with the world, sit down and do a ton of
research. There are no short cuts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">THERE
ARE NO SHORT CUTS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
will begin to network with other authors and bloggers and readers, and you will
BEG someone to read your masterpiece. I did. I asked bloggers, readers and fellow
authors to give my book a chance. I sent it to anyone who said yes, and I got a
TON of feedback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
I learned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
edited and worked some more and the end result is COME AWAY WITH ME. This book
never hit a best sellers list. It did sit in the top 100 on Amazon for a few
days and when it broke that 100 mark, I sat and cried like a baby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
see, my goal was just for 100 people that I didn’t know to buy the book. That
was it. It’s since been downloaded more than a quarter of a million times.
(Piracy sites don’t count, people.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">All
of the years and years of writing bad story after bad story had paid off. But I
wasn’t done learning. I’m still not done. The knowledge I’ve gained in the
eighteen months in this industry is staggering. There’s no way that I could
write it all here for you because like I said before, there are no short cuts,
and the path is different for every writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
you know what? If only ten people had bought and read COME AWAY WITH ME, and it
ended up being a stand-alone, I’d still be writing. Because the one constant
for every writer is simply that: writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Write.
Every. Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-56197154389052802152014-03-19T12:08:00.001-07:002014-03-19T13:49:28.967-07:00Welcome to Matt and Nic's story!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's official! Tied With Me is live and ready for you to enjoy. So many of you have already purchased and read it, it makes my head spin. THANK YOU, for being excited for this book! I have been just as excited for you to read it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In case you still need to find the specific links, they're listed below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kristen xo</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">**** LIVE ****</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">TIED WITH ME </span>By Kristen Proby<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-30742696191267785002014-03-11T11:31:00.001-07:002014-03-11T11:31:35.414-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">****Pre Order****</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Tied With Me </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Releasing March 18th in all markets)</span></b></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-68262736372121727202014-02-25T17:55:00.001-08:002014-02-25T18:00:54.975-08:00I still get it. I'm a fan-girl too.I came across a book today by an author that I've enjoyed reading for many years, Christina Skye. She writes a variety of romantic genres, but my favorite are her contemporary romance. They're super steamy, funny and suspenseful, and I recommend them if you haven't read her books before.<br />
<br />
But that's not the purpose of this post.<br />
<br />
When I saw the book I was reminded of when I actually had the opportunity to meet and have dinner with this author about ten years ago.<br />
<br />
Yes, ten years ago.<br />
<br />
I've talked before about how my writing journey is not a new one. I've been writing romantic fiction for more than a decade, and I was rejected many, many times before I decided to self-publish and consequently sign a contract with Simon & Schuster. Ten years ago, I was almost five years into the world of writing romance when I attended a signing and reading by Christina Skye at a local Barnes & Noble in Portland, Oregon.<br />
<br />
I was THRILLED.<br />
<br />
I couldn't wait to have my books signed and to just let her know that I enjoyed her stories. But while I was there, I met up with some of my fellow RWA (Romance Writers of America) members who informed me that Christina would be going to dinner with them after the signing and invited me along.<br />
<br />
Holy crap! Like I was gonna pass that up! And then came the gigantic butterflies and shaky hands and tangled tongue. I was so nervous! But so, so excited.<br />
<br />
The best part? While we all sat around at one of the ladies' homes and had pizza prepared by her chef husband and chatted it up about books we like and why we like them, Christine was right in the mix with us, telling us about HER favorite books and what she loves in a book boyfriend. We asked so many questions about agents and contracts and publishers, and please remember, this was before the self-publishing revolution and at this time in my life, a major contract with a publishing house was way out of my realm of possibilities.<br />
<br />
I soaked up her words. I listened avidly as she shared her experiences, and when the evening came to an end, I hugged her and thanked her profusely for giving us a few hours of her time.<br />
<br />
(I wonder where my photo of her and I together went?)<br />
<br />
In the madness that is this new life of mine, I guess I forgot what that feels like. Readers seem so nervous when they approach me at signings, or when I offer breakfast out with my street team the morning after an event in most of the cities I visit, and that always seems to funny to me. I'm just <i>me</i>, that silly young girl with the dream of being a writer. I can't imagine why it's so interesting or exciting to pick my brain over beignets in New Orleans, but the <i>reader</i> in me remembers.<br />
<br />
It was the same way when my mom and I traveled to Spokane, WA to see Nora Roberts. We sat and listened to her speak and then stood in line for roughly two hours and waited our turn to have Carolina Moon signed by her in 2000. When we finally made it to the front of the line, we were both a little shell-shocked, but my mom said, "We traveled all the way from Montana to meet you."<br />
<br />
Nora's jaw dropped and she looked back and forth between us for several seconds and then she smiled widely and said, "Thank you, so much." We chatted about how long we'd been reading her books, what we adore about them, and thanked her for the many, many hours of reading enjoyment she'd given us over the years.<br />
<br />
Next year, I plan to take my mom to Boonsboro, MD to stay in Nora's inn and attend a signing in her bookstore. (Shh, don't tell her. It's a surprise.)<br />
<br />
But I remember being that reader, waiting in line for hours to meet a writer that I admire. Whose books I'd devoured, some over and over again.<br />
<br />
So please, readers of mine, don't think for a second that I don't appreciate you. I <i>am </i>you. And I love you.<br />
<br />
xo<br />
Kristen<br />
<br />
<br />Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-65803862087773482732014-02-17T13:44:00.000-08:002014-02-17T13:44:20.111-08:00An all new TIED WITH ME excerpt!Hello, everyone! We are just one month away from the release of TIED WITH ME on March 18th! I can't wait for you all to read Matt and Nic's story! Here is a little excerpt to get you excited:<br />
<br />
***All Copyright laws apply to this work, owned by Kristen Proby.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hey, Nic, can
you come here, please?” Leo asks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">My eyes narrow
as he crooks his finger at Nic, and she grins and walks over to join the rocker
and Meg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What’s up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Can you play
this?” Meg asks, holding the paper out to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Uh, this is a
bunch of squiggles.” Nic laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Welcome to my
world,” Sam calls out and grins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Here, I’ll
show you how it’s supposed to sound. We need to hear it with the guitar.” Leo
sits at the piano and gestures for Nic to join him and begins to play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why don’t you
just play it?” Nic asks nervously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Because I
need to write.” He grins and shows her how the melody should sound, then sits
and listens as Nic picks it up, playing beautifully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">She never
stops surprising me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She’s good,”
Will murmurs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I had no
idea,” I reply softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So talk while
she’s preoccupied.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I glance at my
brother, who’s watching me closely, and then turn my gaze back to the powerhouse
of a woman on that piano bench.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What?” I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ve never, <i>never</i>,
seen you with a woman,” Will replies softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s an
exaggeration, drama queen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“High school
doesn’t count.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I shrug. I
knew this was coming, and it’ll come again Saturday when I take her with me to
Nat’s party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I like her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Jesus, you’re
stubborn,” Will growls and shoves his hand through his hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nic continues
to play the piano, surprising Leo when she changes some notes, telling him that
it sounds better like this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leo scowls,
listens, and then grins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’re right.”
Meg nods. “It’s smoother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She’s
amazing,” I whisper to Will. “She’s smart and kind. Sexy as fuck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She is pretty
hot,” Will agrees with a nod and then laughs when I glare at him. “Dude, I’m
perfectly happy with my own hot woman.” His face sobers. “But does she know…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She knows,” I
confirm. “And we’re good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-16570828413116794232014-02-07T08:47:00.000-08:002014-02-07T08:55:42.847-08:00Super Bowl celebration!!Last week, I promised readers that if the Seahawks won the Super Bowl I'd write a celebratory bonus scene featuring Will and Meg. Well, THE SEAHAWKS WON! So here is that promised scene.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
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I hope you enjoy it!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And Seattle wins the Super Bowl!”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">God,
I’m so fucking proud of him! I’m sitting in the green room of the Today Show,
watching Matt Lauer ask my fiancée, and Super Bowl MVP, Will Montgomery a slew
of questions on the monitors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
Will can even find the words to speak at this point is beyond me. I’m ready to
drop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
soon as the game ended, the frenzy began. Interviews, parties, more interviews.
The family is all here from Seattle, but they long ago cried <i>uncle</i> and went back to the hotel to
sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Are
you exhausted?” an intern asks as she stocks the green room tables with more
pastries and juice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,”
I reply with a grin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
followed him all night?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yep.”
I watch my man laugh with Matt Lauer and feel my stomach clench. Dear Jesus,
he’s hot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“This
season has been one for the record books,” Matt says and glances down at his
blue question card. “This was a 13-3 season for you guys, not to mention the
first Super Bowl win for your city. What was different about this season?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s
honestly the combination of these players, this coaching staff at this time.
Our team works hard, and the coaches push us relentlessly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And
so what’s next? Where will you go from here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,
for the long term, I’ll stay in Seattle for as long as they’ll have me. That’s
my home town and my family is there,” Will replies and then a slow smile
spreads across that mouth of his as he leans his elbows on the directors chair
he’s sitting in. “For the short term, I’m looking forward to taking my fiancée
somewhere warm on vacation and celebrating with her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s
right, you recently became engaged. How does she feel about all of this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
bite my lip and hold my breath as Will processes the question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meg
is my rock. She keeps my ego in check and grounds me.” He grins again and I can
see all the wicked thoughts floating through his head, but he just shrugs and
says, “She’s the best.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well
congratulations on both the win and your engagement. Thanks for being with us
today.” They shake hands and Matt’s face turns to the camera. “We’ll be back in
just a moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
camera cuts and just a few moments later, Will marches into the green room,
pulls me to my feet and tugs me into his arms. The intern quietly leaves the
room, closing the door behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Can
we go back to the hotel now?” I ask as he plants a kiss to the top of my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,
that was the end of it.” He leans back and tips my chin up. “You could have
gone back hours ago. You didn’t have to stick for the dog and pony show.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“This
is part of it.” I shrug. “Besides, I haven’t seen much of you lately.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s
about to change.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His
agent walks through the door, also having been up all night, consulting his
iPad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Okay,
Will, up next…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Fuck
that,” Will growls and tucks me next to his side as he faces the man who works
tirelessly for him. “I’m done. I haven’t slept in over twenty-four hours, and I
played my ass off yesterday. We are going back to the hotel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
just have one more...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Tell
them I can’t do it,” Will replies. “We’re exhausted, Bob.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bob
nods and then smiles, shakes Will’s hand vigorously. “I’m proud of you. You
played a helluva game, son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Thank
you.” Will takes my hand and leads me through the Today Show offices, nodding
and stopping to sign autographs along the way, until at last we’re tucked into
the limo and heading back to our Manhattan hotel room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will
sighs, scrubs his hands over his face and leans his head back on the seat. The
ride to the hotel is short and quiet. The adrenaline from the big win has worn
off, and my man is back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
move quickly into the elevator, avoiding fans and more paparazzi, and when
we’re in our hotel suite, we both deflate, staring at each other in exhaustion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How
are you, sweetheart?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His
voice is rough as he walks toward me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
so fucking proud of you, Will.” I swallow and blink back tears that I blame on
all the excitement and fatigue. “I never doubted that you’d win. You are so
good at what you do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
stops a few feet away, watching me quietly, his face sober. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
love that you <i>love </i>it,” I continue.
“I’ll never get tired of watching you play. I’ll never get used to watching you
get squished…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Tackled,”
he interrupts with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But
seriously, babe.” I close the gap between us and glide my hands up his sculpted
chest and into his messy hair. “You were damn amazing yesterday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Thank
you,” he whispers and leans his forehead against my own. “Thank you for getting
it. And for being patient with me when I put in so many hours training.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“This
is your job, but it’s so much more than that for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
cups my face in his large hands and kisses me long and slow before pulling back
and gazing into my eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
love you so much, Megan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
love you too, football star.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
need a shower, food, and to bury myself deep inside you for as long as
possible.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well, I can call down to room service, then we can knock two of those things out in the
shower,” I wink up at him, making him laugh. “And then room service should be
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
do love the way you think,” he murmurs. “I’ll start the shower, you make the
call.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Deal.”
I move to back away but he holds me firmly in his arms, rooted to the floor.
“Uh, Will, I can’t call from here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
just need one more minute.” I rest my cheek on his chest as he wraps me tightly
in his arms, gently rocking me back and forth. “That moment yesterday, when I
knew we’d win. When I looked in the guys’ eyes and saw it, knew in my gut that
we wouldn’t lose, was one of the most incredible moments in my life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His
voice is rough as his arms tighten around me. He presses a kiss to my hair and
breathes me in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But
Meg, <i>this</i>, what I have with you, is <i>the best part </i>of my life. It’s better
than any win.” He kisses my head again and I feel tears spill down my cheeks.
“You are my greatest joy, sweetheart. Thank you for staying with me all night
through the craziness. I wasn’t lying when I told Matt you are my anchor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
don’t know what to say, so I just hang on to my amazing man and hug him close.
After another long minute, Will’s stomach growls, making us both laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’d
better call in that food order,” I whisper and pull back. When I look up at
him, I’m surprised to see tears in his own eyes. He brushes the wetness from my
cheeks with his thumbs and presses his lips to mine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Love
you,” he whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Love
you back, babe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-33610584285940596762014-02-05T05:47:00.000-08:002014-02-05T05:48:52.134-08:00TIED WITH ME Cover reveal and excerpt!I'm so excited to show you the new cover for the next book in the With Me In Seattle series, TIED WITH ME!! As you know, this is Matt and Nic's story. Matt has been out strong, quiet cop, not saying too much in the past books, but boy is that about to change!<br />
<br />
TIED WITH ME will release on March 18, 2014!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Without further ado, here it is!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Nic Dalton’s cupcake bakery
is thriving. She serves both rock stars and locals alike, content with her
growing business. But one adventurous night out with her best friend, Bailey,
turns her life upside down. She meets a handsome stranger who makes her skin
sizzle and her heart race. Their one night together is explosive and
unexpected, but when he has to suddenly leave without taking her phone number,
Nic resigns herself to never seeing him again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20.0pt;">…What will
it take to trust and submit to his every desire? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Matt Montgomery is one of
Seattle’s finest. He works hard, loves and protects his family fiercely, and is
loyal almost to a fault. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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bondage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Matt enjoys the way a woman
looks wrapped up in his ropes, and makes no apologies for his preferences. When
he meets Nic at a fetish festival, the small, beautiful woman catches his eye,
drawing him to her. His one night with her was everything he’s ever looked for
in a partner, but is cut short because of a family emergency. Even before he
sees her again weeks later, he knows he’ll never get her out of his system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande";">And he’ll do whatever it
takes to make her his. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20.0pt;">“Give in
to this, Nic. Let me prove to you that I will be one of the best decisions you
ever make.” –Matt Montgomery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the excerpt:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I grin and offer her a fresh bottle of
water, which she accepts, unscrews the cap and takes a sip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fuck, she has beautiful lips. Lips that
look amazing wrapped around the head of my cock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s not a crime to belong to a gym,”
I reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My</i>
gym?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Do you own it?” I ask with a grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She laughs and shakes her head. “No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s not far from my apartment, and
it’s convenient to work, too, so here I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She nods and glances down, not sure
what to say next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The cake was delicious today,” I
comment casually, giving her the opportunity to talk about her work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh, good!” She grins and joins me as I
walk toward the smoothie bar, pull out a chair for her to drop into at one of
the tiny two-person tables and sit opposite her. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You do good work. Leo and Sam are
always talking about your cupcakes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Leo and Sam keep me in business, I
swear.” She laughs, sending electricity down my spine. “They’re very good
customers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I nod, watching her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I like your shorter hair,” I murmur
and reach out to brush the ends with my finger, enjoying the softness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Most men like long hair,” she replies
softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I like long hair, too. You look
beautiful in both.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She frowns and glances away from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why did you cut your hair, Nic?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She shrugs and won’t meet my gaze. “It
was time for a change.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Try again,” I reply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She turns her eyes to mine and squares
her shoulders, firms her chin. “It was time for a change.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That’s a lie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I cross my arms over my naked chest and
drag my finger over my lip, watching her squirm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She isn’t a good liar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Okay.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She sighs, relieved, before I continue.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She scowls at me, making me laugh.
“Friends don’t lie to each other, little one. The sooner you remember that, the
better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’ve known me for three minutes,
Matt. Don’t assume you know all there is to know about me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You know what they say about
assuming,” I murmur with a grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well, you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> an ass,” she replies and then giggles.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 0.25in;">I lean in and rest my mouth next to her
ear. “This ass would love to smack </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 0.25in;">your</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 0.25in;">
pretty little ass until it glows,” I whisper so only she can hear.</span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-69135884644935261202013-11-22T12:28:00.003-08:002013-11-22T12:28:44.889-08:00LOVING CARA excerpt!Hi everyone! We are inching closer and closer to the publication date for LOVING CARA, available January 21st from Pocket Books! I truly can't wait for you all to spend some quality time with Josh King and Cara Donovan. Theirs is a fun love story. A sexy love story. A PASSIONATE love story. So, without further ado, Here are Josh and Cara!<br />
<br />
***Disclaimer: this novel is unpublished. Minor editing changes may happen between now and the publication date.<br />
<br />
Also, please remember, this is intended for adult viewers.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIW8qYeOYKo/Uo-97eX9p_I/AAAAAAAADoc/P9j82gidCfY/s1600/loving+cara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIW8qYeOYKo/Uo-97eX9p_I/AAAAAAAADoc/P9j82gidCfY/s1600/loving+cara.jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Are you fucking me because you feel
sorry for me?” I blurt out, and immediately wish I could grab the words out of
the air between us and stuff them in my pockets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Josh’s head whips around, his eyes wide
in shock and anger. He clenches his mouth shut, tightens his grip on the
steering wheel, and ignores the question altogether.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well?” I demand as he angrily flips on
the blinker to turn down his driveway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Shut up, Carolina.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What did you say?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You heard me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, I must be mistaken, because if you
just told me to shut up, I’m going to kick your ass.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He pulls in front of his house, kills the
engine, and turns in his seat to glare at me. “Why in the name of all that’s
holy would you ask me that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Just answer the question.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Cara, I’m going to warn you right now,
I’m fucking pissed that you would even think for a second that I would <i>fuck you</i>, as you put it, because I feel
sorry for you. Why is that thought even in your head?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">God,
I’m stupid.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I sigh and
rub my forehead with my fingertips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Is this about Misty?” he asks, and my
head whips back up to glare at him. “Shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What’s going on with you and Misty?” I
ask, hating the accusatory tone in my voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nothing’s gone on with her for over a
year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You slept with her?” I ask
incredulously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, I dated her exactly twice, and then
I found out what kind of person she is and stopped seeing her.” He shakes his
head and brushes a finger down my cheek, but I flinch away from him. “What did
she say to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She didn’t say anything to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Carolina,” he growls in warning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I overheard them,” I whisper, and look
out the window, hating the tears I feel trying to form at the corners of my
eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He doesn’t say anything, he just waits,
and I love him and hate him for understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Misty clearly has a thing for you.” I
clear my throat as though it’s not a big deal. “She made it clear that a fat,
ugly chick like me is no threat when it comes to a ten like you. You clearly
just feel sorry for me and are trying to save me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And you fucking believe that bullshit?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, I don’t believe her!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Then why are we fighting about this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I don’t necessarily believe Misty’s
bullshit, but a tiny part of me can’t help but wonder why you’re attracted to
me.” The last few words are whispered shamefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Josh stomps angrily out of the truck,
slams the door shut, and moves in angry strides around the vehicle, yanks my
door open, and, before I can do anything, pulls me easily over his shoulder,
lifting me from my seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hey!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ve heard enough.” He slaps my ass—hard—and
carries me into the house, slamming the door behind us with his foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Ow!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I warned you.” He sets me on the kitchen
island, slams his palms on the granite on either side of my hips, and pushes
his face into mine. “I warned you the first day you were here that I’d spank
your ass if you called yourself fat. It pisses me off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So I’m gathering,” I whisper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Misty and her friends are bitches and most
likely have been since the day they were born. I don’t give a fuck what they
think about you or me or you and me together.” I hesitantly touch my fingertips
to his cheeks and pull them down his face. “The only two people in this room
are you and me, Carolina, and we’re the only ones who matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He cups my face in his hands, his brown
eyes on fire, and kisses me hard, his mouth claiming mine, marking me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He grabs my hand in his, leading it to
his erection, still covered by his slacks. “Trust me, sweetheart, this doesn’t
happen around women I feel sorry for. Feel what you do to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">My cheeks flush and I just want to slink
away and be mortified while he’s not watching, but he makes me meet his eyes
with my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Pull that dress over your head.” He
takes a small step back, giving me room to do as I’m told.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I bite my lip, embarrassed all over again
because I’d been brave earlier and gone without panties. Now I wish I’d worn
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Carolina,”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> he whispers, and drops to his knees,
spreading my thighs wide. “You’re so beautiful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I whimper as he traces my labia with a
fingertip and presses a soft kiss over my clitoris. “Soft. If I’d known you
weren’t wearing panties all night . . .” He swears under his breath and then
gently kisses my clitoris again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I white-knuckle the edge of the
countertop as electricity shoots through me at the touch of his mouth. “Josh.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s right, baby.” He pushes two
fingers inside me and nuzzles the most sensitive nub with his nose. “I fucking
love your pussy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I push my fingers into his thick, soft dark
brown hair and hold on as he laps at my core, sucking and nibbling and making
me crazy. I’m panting and whimpering, begging him to stop, but then begging him
to never, ever stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He pulls away and lifts me off the
counter. Stripping his clothes off quickly, he turns me around and bends me
over. Before he slams his hard cock inside me, he slaps my ass again, the loud <i>thwack</i> echoing throughout the great room.
He growls as he buries himself balls deep inside my slick pussy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Get it through that gorgeous head of
yours, baby, this is not pity, charity, or just because I’m fucking horny. I
want you, Cara. <i>You.</i>” He grips my
hair in his fist and pulls me back so he can whisper in my ear, “You.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I hope you enjoyed that first glimpse! You can pre-order LOVING CARA here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Cara-Love-Under-Big-ebook/dp/B00DX0F2Y8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1385152066&sr=1-1&keywords=loving+cara" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Cara-Love-Under-Big-ebook/dp/B00DX0F2Y8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1385152066&sr=1-1&keywords=loving+cara</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-56122308379300129202013-10-31T10:42:00.001-07:002013-10-31T10:42:11.030-07:00Happy Halloween from the Montgomerys! Caleb is spending his first Halloween as a dad! I hope you enjoy this bonus holiday scene!<br />
<br />
Remember: this is copyrighted material, owned by Kristen Proby, and is intended for adult readers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v6xvWWDOOtc/UnKWYahDDuI/AAAAAAAADoE/mZbEiTKDFrM/s1600/Happy-Halloween-halloween-15314395-1280-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v6xvWWDOOtc/UnKWYahDDuI/AAAAAAAADoE/mZbEiTKDFrM/s1600/Happy-Halloween-halloween-15314395-1280-800.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
Safe With Me Halloween<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Bix
is a pirate!” Josie exclaims in delight as Brynna pulls the black eye patch
over Bix’s bad eye and ties a red bandana around his head. His eyebrows both
raise up and down as he looks between Bryn and myself, wondering what in the
world he’s getting himself into.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Really,
Bryn, he’s a war hero and you’re dressing him up like a pirate?” I slip my arms
around her waist as she stands, rest my hands over her ever-growing belly, and
bury my face in her neck, inhaling her sweet scent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“He’s
adorable like this, Montgomery,” she chuckles and adjusts her witches hat on
her head as she pulls away from me. “And you are very handsome.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
don’t know why I’m wearing this,” I grumble and glance down at my Navy dress
uniform.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Because
it’s hot, sailor,” Bryn grins. “And the girls begged, and they have you wrapped
around their little fingers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
grin down at her, gliding my thumb down her jawline. Fuck yes, they have me
wrapped around their fingers. All three of them do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Let’s
go trick-or-treating!” Maddie exclaims excitedly, jumping up and down in her
green and blue cheerleader uniform. Both Josie and Maddie chose to go as
Seahawks cheerleaders this year. Bryn put their long dark hair up in high
ponytails and put pink goop on their lips, making them look far older than I’m
comfortable with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“They
don’t need the fucking makeup,” I growl at Bryn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s
Halloween, Caleb,” she smirks. “I don’t even want to think about how you’re
going to be when they’re teenagers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just
the thought sends me into a panic attack that has absolutely nothing to do with
my PTSD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ll
kill any teenage fucker who dares look at them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Where
are we heading first?” Bryn asks as we all pile into our new minivan. I never
thought I’d see the day that I’d drive a fucking minivan, but with the twins,
another on the way, and Bix, we needed the space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Might
as well hit up Nat and Luke first,” I reply and set off down the street to Nat
and Luke’s place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
hope I get lots of peanut butter cups tonight,” Maddie informs us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
praying for some Almond Joy,” Brynna whispers next to me and rubs her belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Gonna
raid the girls’ candy tonight?” I ask with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hell
yes. As soon as they go to sleep, I’m so digging into those plastic pumpkins.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
pull up to Luke and Nat’s Alki Beach home, and the girls and Bix are out of
their seats and running up to Luke’s door before I even cut the engine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
think they’re excited,” I laugh as Brynna and I follow our girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Trick
or Treat!” the girls yell in unison as Natalie pulls the door open, a beautiful
smile spread over her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh,
wait until Uncle Will sees you guys later! You both look so adorable!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Maddie!”
Livie exclaims as she claps her hands from her perch on Luke’s arm. She’s
dressed as a little ladybug, her pixie face bright with wonder at the costumes
we’re wearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No
costumes for you guys?” I ask with a raised brow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It
took me two hours just to talk Liv into wearing hers,” Natalie replies with a
sigh. “I’m good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke
kisses Nat’s cheek and runs his hand down her dark hair. “Are you feeling
okay?” he murmurs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
fine,” Nat responds and rubs her own round belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our
family is full of knocked up women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
parents couldn’t be more excited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
don’t think your treats will fit in your pumpkins,” Luke informs my girls with
a sober face. “So maybe I shouldn’t give them to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Please!
Please!” They jump up and down, giggling, making Liv laugh with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
don’t know. What do you think?” he asks Nat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh
put them out of their misery already,” she laughs and reaches inside for two
big black gift bags and hands one to each of them, then throws a treat for Bix,
which he catches out of the air and crunches on happily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
didn’t have to buy them gifts,” Brynna scolds them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“They’re
my nieces. I can do whatever I want,” Natalie replies with a smug smile. Brynna
immediately tears up and sends me a helpless gaze. I just pull her to me and
kiss her forehead as the girls dig into their goodie bags.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Peanut
butter cups!” Maddie exclaims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Jellybeans!”
Josie bellows. “And American Girl outfits for our dolls!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Holy
shit,” I mutter and sigh. “Really?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t
judge me,” Natalie replies haughtily. “I like to shop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Thank
you so much,” Maddie clings to Luke’s legs as Josie hugs Natalie tight. Luke
squats with Liv still in his arms and gives the girls each a hug, then pulls
gently on their ponytails. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’re
welcome. Go have fun tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We
will!” The girls immediately turn and run back for the van, Bix on their heels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Thank
you,” Brynna murmurs before we join the girls and continue on our journey to
the next house. Because our neighborhood isn’t great for trick or treating,
with all of the gated homes with long driveways, and I can’t handle a packed
mall full of thousands of screaming kids and their parents, I decided to drive
the girls to each house in the family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">They’ll
end up with just as much candy, if not more, than if we’d gone through a busy
neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Jules
and Nate’s apartment?” Brynna asks with a raised brow. “We’re going to pay for
parking in downtown Seattle just so the girls can get some fun sized Snickers?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Jules
would kill me if we didn’t bring the girls by,” I inform her. We ride the
elevator to my sister’s floor and Josie rings the doorbell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Aaaaaarrrrrgghhhh!”
Nate howls as he flings the door open and rushes at the girls, pulling them
both into his arms and tickling them mercilessly. “You dare ring my bell?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Trick
or treat, Uncle Nate!” Josie laughs and struggles to get away. “Daddy! Help!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’re
on your own, jellybean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For
the love of God, ace, you’ll make them pee on themselves,” Jules scolds him
from within the apartment. She has black cat ears on her head and a wide grin
on her pretty face. “You two are gorgeous!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jules
hands them each black gift bags, but also feeds large handfuls of candy into
their pumpkins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What’s
with the gifts?” I ask. “That makes both you and Nat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We
did it for the twins and Sophie,” Jules replies. “Everyone else just gets
candy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“More
outfits for our dolls!” Maddie exclaims and jumps up and down. “Thank you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’re
welcome, sweetie,” Jules replies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">More
hugs are handed out before we journey back downstairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
drive to Luke’s parents, my parents and Bryn’s parents, where the girls have
amassed more candy than I’ve seen in my entire life, and more accessories for
their American Girl dolls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Despite
also living in an exclusive, gated community, Will’s neighborhood is a beacon
to trick or treaters. The whole neighborhood gets into the spirit of the
holiday, decorating their homes and handing out candy to hundreds of kids each
year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will
doesn’t typically participate, but because Halloween fell on a weekday this
year, Meg talked him into it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
can’t wait to see what they did,” Brynna whispers to me. “She had so much fun
planning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Just
wait,” I murmur. Matt and I came to help yesterday and it’s a good thing
because it was an all day project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
park near the end of the driveway and we all clamor out of the van, trekking up
to the large house my brother lives in with his beautiful fiancé. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
girls and Bix all run ahead. I clasp Bryn’s hand in mine and pull her against
me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How
are you feeling?” I ask as we stop on the paved driveway in the shadows of the
trees that line the drive and cup her face in my hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We’re
fine,” she replies, grinning up at me. “I’m glad we did it this way. I never
would have survived walking through a whole neighborhood.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
can carry you,” I offer. Anything to get her in my arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
not an invalid, Caleb.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Maybe
I just want to carry you,” I reply with a grin and lean in to kiss her soft
lips. She sighs and leans against me, wraps her arms around my neck, and I sink
into her, absorbed in the taste of her, her scent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her
moans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her
body has become softer with her pregnancy, and I can’t keep my hands off her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
if I could keep my hands off her before we got pregnant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Suddenly,
the girls both scream, Bix is barking madly, and I pull away from Brynna and
sprint the rest of the driveway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">What’s
wrong?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Who
is hurting my babies?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
I stop when I get to the front porch and begin to laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will,
Matt and Leo are dressed as zombies, their makeup impeccable, threatening to
eat Maddie and Josie’s brains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No!
You can’t eat my brains!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
guys don’t respond, they just growl and chase the girls around the yard, making
them laugh and scream at the same time. Bix is jumping and barking, enjoying
the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sam
and Meg are dressed as humans who have been eaten by the zombies, their flesh
torn from their bodies. The porch light has been replaced with a black bulb.
There are orange lights strung up around the porch, along with fake spider webs
and a fog machine is throwing whisps of fog along the porch and out into the
yard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Speaking
of the yard, there are crooked headstones and glowing eyes scattered about the
lawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
fucking awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Who
did your makeup?” Brynna asks as she joins us, laughing as the guys continue to
chase Maddie and Josie around the yard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Mommy!
Daddy!” Maddie yells. “They want to eat our brains!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A
friend of Leo’s who does makeup for a living,” Sam replies, grinning as she
watches my brothers and Leo terrorize my kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
are they, twelve?” I growl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“They’re
having fun,” Brynna responds and leans in to plant a sweet kiss on my shoulder.
“And this will tire them out so they’ll go to bed when we get home and I can
steal their chocolate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Good
plan,” Meg replies. “I just ate half the candy I bought before tonight even
started. Will ate the rest. I had to make a mad dash for more candy at four
this afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Leo
bought me cupcakes from our favorite place,” Sam replies with a sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“From
Nic?” Brynna asks with a grin and then turns to watch Matt as he picks Josie up
and makes chomping noises at her neck, making her squeal in delight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,
she is so damn talented.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And
beautiful,” Meg adds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">All
three girls look expectantly at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What’s
the scoop?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How
the fuck should I know?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Matt’s
your brother,” Sam reminds me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And
your best friend,” Meg adds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
don’t ask him about that shit. I don’t have a vagina.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Glad
to hear it, brother,” Will says as he carries an upside down Maddie up onto the
porch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Our
brains are gone!” Maddie announces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
reach out and take her from my brother, righting her in my arms, and kiss her
soft, cold cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Did
you have fun?” I ask her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
nods happily and wraps her tiny arms around my neck. “I love you, daddy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every
time I hear it, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every damn time</i>, is a
shot to the heart. I don’t know what I did to deserve these amazing girls in my
life, but I’d do it a million times over, just to keep them with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
love you too, buttercup.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
thought you two were still in Europe,” Brynna says to Sam and Leo, who are now
snuggling in the porch swing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s
freaking disturbing to see you snuggled up like that in that getup.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leo
laughs and plants a kiss on Sam, making us all boo and hiss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yuck,”
Josie mutters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We
got back a couple days ago,” Sam replies with a grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Okay,
you got your trick, now it’s time for treats!” Meg announces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“More
tricks!” Will cries and lunges for Maddie, who screams and ducks behind my back
for safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Dude,
are you nine?” I ask my brother with a grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And
a half,” he confirms. “Okay, since you’re dressed so pretty in those uniforms,
you can have your treats.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Do
you like our costumes?” Maddie asks as she carefully walks out from behind my
legs. “We picked them out just for you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
did?” Will asks with a grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,
because you throw the ball!” Josie informs him. “And we like the pretty
cheerleaders.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t
we all,” Matt mutters under his breath, earning a slap in the arm from Meg.
“Ouch!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Your
cheerleader costumes are awesome,” Will nods. “But what about your dolls? Do
they have cheerleader costumes too?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No,”
Maddie shakes her head sadly. “And that makes them sad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It
does?” Will laughs and pulls on Mad’s ponytail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Very
sad,” Josie agrees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,
we can’t have that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meg
hands each of the girls an orange gift bag, which contains enough candy to give
all of China cavities and Seahawk cheerleader costumes for their dolls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh
my God,” Brynna whispers with wide eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh
wow! It’s what I always wanted!” Maddie exclaims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Thank
you,” Josie smiles sweetly up at Will and twirls her hair in her finger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She
is such a flirt,” Sam laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
growl without realizing the sound is coming from me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Down,
boy,” Brynna laughs and hugs me tight. “I think it’s time we go home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
say our goodbyes and drive home. The girls both fall asleep in the van, so I
carry them upstairs and we tuck them into bed, still in their costumes. Brynna
removes Bix’s pirate costume and he settles on his bed between the girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
lean in and press a kiss to each of their foreheads. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They’re mine.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Love
you, babies,” I whisper as Brynna and I leave them to dream of candy and dolls
and whatever else little girls dream of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">On
the way to the couch, Bryn grabs one of the bags of candy and settles in. “I
need coconut and chocolate,” she mutters, digging through the bag. “Yes! Almond
Joy!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
sit beside her and pull her feet into my lap, massaging her arches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s
not a bad deal having you around, sailor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No?”
I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
get chocolate and footrubs and some really amazing sex.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So
happy you approve, legs” I reply dryly and watch my hands as I rub her pretty
feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
think you should put the candy down and I’ll remind you how good the sex is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Come
between me and this candy and I’ll kill you in your sleep,” she replies with a
sweet smile and bats her eyelashes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,
ma’am,” I reply with a laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The
girls had fun,” she murmurs while munching on a treat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
did too.” I love the way her skin feels under my fingers. We sit quietly for a
while, enjoying the silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Love
you so much,” she whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
look over at her and my heart simply stills at the sight of her, drifting
asleep at the end of the couch, her hands resting on her round belly. She sighs
as my thumb glides up the arch of her foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">So
much for the sex reminder. I smile softly as I watch her for long minutes,
thankful for every experience I have with my family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
this is just the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-10295224316178415552013-10-09T09:53:00.003-07:002013-10-09T09:53:51.296-07:0020k FB Followers Celebration ContestHoly Canoli! There are more than TWENTY THOUSAND of you following me on Facebook! This is simply incredible and honestly, makes me feel a tiny bit shy. I'm honored to have you all here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CLqEehH2IJA/UlWBzWEkKSI/AAAAAAAADnw/DgkEVrYmQmQ/s1600/994952_10201836051840138_1321690015_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CLqEehH2IJA/UlWBzWEkKSI/AAAAAAAADnw/DgkEVrYmQmQ/s1600/994952_10201836051840138_1321690015_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To celebrate, we are having a HUGE contest! The rafflecopter to enter is below. Here's what you have to do to get a whole bunch of entries:<br />
<br />
1. Follow me on Facebook.<br />
<br />
2. Tweet about the contest<br />
<br />
3. Choose your favorite man of Seattle and make a graphic of him with your favorite quote from the series and share it on FB and Twitter! Y'all know how much I LOVE fan art!<br />
<br />
This contest closes in a week.<br />
<br />
Good luck, everyone!!<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c164/" id="rc-9172c164" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-48713901866613901862013-09-27T09:42:00.000-07:002013-09-27T09:44:14.361-07:00ANNOUNCEMENT regarding the With Me In Seattle series...Hi, everyone! First, thank you all so much for such an exciting release week for SAFE WITH ME! It's been incredible. I've loved hearing from so many of you, letting me know how much you love Caleb and Brynna. I think they're pretty special too. ;)<br />
<br />
Now that so many of you have had a chance to read the book, I have some news to share! Some really exciting news at that. But, if you haven't read SAFE WITH ME, this is a HUGE spoiler. So, if you HATE spoilers, now is the time to close this window and come back after you've read it.<br />
<br />
I'll wait.<br />
<br />
Go on. Click out of here and come back.<br />
<br />
***Tapping foot***<br />
<br />
Okay, so for those of you who are left, here is the announcement: you know that hot new Italian brother, Dominic? The one who is kind of mysterious and soft spoken, but already kind and generous with his new family?<br />
<br />
Well, I think he needs his own book, don't you agree?<br />
<br />
Dominic and Alecia's book, FOREVER WITH ME, will complete the With Me In Seattle series. It will be book 8, and will release late in 2014.<br />
<br />
Now, remember, before FOREVER WITH ME, we still have Matt and Nic's book, TIED WITH ME, releasing in spring, 2014 and Mark and Meredith's book, BREATHE WITH ME, releasing in the late summer 2014.<br />
<br />
I have not introduced you to Meredith, Mark's love interest, yet. You will meet her in TIED WITH ME.<br />
<br />
So, instead of there being only two With Me In Seattle books left, there are three more to go! Don't worry, each book will continue in the same vein as the previous ones, showing us what's happening with the rest of the Montgomery clan, who's having babies, who's getting married, etc. I'm ecstatic to see where each story takes our big, boisterous, amazing family!<br />
<br />
So, stay tuned... the saga continues next spring!<br />
<br />
And don't forget!! The first book in the Love Under the Big Sky trilogy, LOVING CARA, releases on January 28, 2014! I can't wait for you to fall in love with Josh and Cara. These two are AMAZING!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M13_eXqvNXA/UkW1K45XCBI/AAAAAAAADnc/THuVmEhHnWE/s1600/loving+cara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M13_eXqvNXA/UkW1K45XCBI/AAAAAAAADnc/THuVmEhHnWE/s1600/loving+cara.jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a></div>
<br />
Thank you all, again, for joining me on this wonderful journey!<br />
<br />
Happy Reading,<br />
Kristen ProbyKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-82112087179274485142013-09-05T11:13:00.001-07:002013-09-05T11:13:30.880-07:00September teaser of SAFE WITH ME!This is the last teaser that will be posted before the release of SAFE WITH ME on September 24th. Unfortunately, this book is not available for preorder.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy it! I can't wait for you to read Caleb and Brynna's story!<br />
<br />
**Warning: this is intended for adult readers. Copyright applies.<br />
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 118">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“The </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">show was ah-</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">mazing!” Stacy exclaims as she settles into Isaac’s side, drink in</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">-hand, smiling
widely.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">My cousin is well on her way to getting her drunk on.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“It was,” I nod and grin and can’t help but gaze over at Will and Meg who are wrapped up in each
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">oth</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">er on a couch nearby. “Will,” I call to him, “that was quite possibly the most romantic proposal I’ve
ever seen.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">We are all at the after party for Nash’s first concert in their </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman,Italic'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Sunshine Tour</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">, where Will surprised us all
by taking the stage and asking Meg to marry him in front of thousands of screaming fans.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I’m a romantic guy.” He shrugs and grins.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“You’re a lot of things, babe,” Meg responds with a loud laugh, “but romantic isn’t one of them. Did
Luke give you pointers?”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Hey! I have my romantic moments!” Will frowns at her and then whispers something completely
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">inappropriate in her ear, making her blush furiously.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Oh yeah, that’s right.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I don’t want to know,” Matt shakes his head with a laugh and then glances at Caleb, who hasn’t
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">commented all evening</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">, or even looked my way twice. I wore this sexy outfit, and he hasn’t even noticed.
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Instead, his body is tense, and his eyes are narrowed, watching the room, the people around us, and just
generally pissing me off.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I know he’s trying to keep me safe, but f</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">or the love of Jesus, I have more muscle surrounding me right
now than the president.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“You okay, man?” Matt asks him.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Fine,” Caleb answers with a nod.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Are you sure?” I ask, resting my hand on his arm. He doesn’t spare me a glance, just tightens his jaw
even more, if that’s possible.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I’m fine,” he repeats, his voice hard and firm.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Hey, Sam.” Jules approaches Sam from across the room. “Leo was just looking for you a few minutes
ago. You must have been in the restroom.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Samantha is dating Leo, the lead si</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">nger of Nash, and I couldn’t be happier for her. They make a great
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">couple. Leo is all tall and tattooed and sexy as all get-</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">out, but Sam keeps him grounded and isn’t afraid to
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">cut him down to size when his ego gets a bit out of hand.
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 119">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Not that it does often, I think Sam just likes flipping him shit.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Do you know which way he went?” Sam asks.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Out into the hallway,” Jules points toward the door and Sam leaves, off to find her man.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I bet she’s gonna get orgasms later,” Stacy whispers over to me, making me smi</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">rk.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Definitely,” I confirm and smile to myself.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Where are the kids and Bix tonight?” Isaac asks.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“They’re all at my mom and dads,” I reply with a grin.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“You two need to get a room,” Jules scowls at Will and Meg who are currently necking on the couch.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Dude, they just got engaged,” Nat waves Jules off. “Let them have fun.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“You don’t care because you’ll be joining them any second now,” Jules accuses her with narrowed
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">eyes.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Good idea,” Luke smirks and dips Nat low, kissing her deeply, earning a loud groan </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">from Jules.
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Yuck,” she murmurs and sips her water. “Meg, I want to see your ring again.”<br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Meg happily holds out her left hand for Jules to inspect, grinning proudly.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Did you pick it out by yourself?” Matt asks Will.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Yep,” Will nods.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“He did good,” Natalie murmurs and smiles warmly. “You have good taste.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Of course I do,” Will chuckles and kisses Meg’s cheek.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“And he’s so modest,” Meg shakes her head and pushe</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">s her fingers through his hair.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Were you surprised?” Will asks her, his voice soft and all trace </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">of his arrogance gone.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Completely,” Meg assures him and kisses him soundly. “Best surprise ever.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Brynna, you look beautiful tonight,” Luke comments before raising his drink to his mouth, surprising
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">me.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Thanks,” I murmur and feel my cheeks heat. “I’m glad somebody noticed,” I mumble and look away
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">from the group, scanning the crowd. The girls exchange looks and then watch Caleb and I, thinking
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">they’re sneaky. Thanks to my girls announcing our sleeping arrangements last week and me finally
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">confiding in th</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">em while we got ready for tonight’s concert, they all know that Caleb and I are having sex.
But I told them that it’s just sex and nothing more.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Because honestly, I don’t know what it is. I know I’m completely in love with him, and I believe he
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">loves me in return, but he runs so hot and co</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">ld, and I can’t figure him out.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">It’s frustrating the hell out of me.<br />
Caleb tenses even more beside me as a man I’ve never seen before approaches us.
“Excuse me, but are you Luke Williams?” The man asks Luke quietly.
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I am,” Luke nods an</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">d turns to the older gentleman.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I’m Roger, Jake’s father,” he responds with a grin, holding out his hand for Luke to shake. Jake is the
guitarist for Nash. “My wife is a big fan. Would you mind saying hello?”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Not at all,” Luke responds with a smile and turns back to us. “I’ll be right back.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“How did Luke hold up tonight, around all these people?” Stacy asks Natalie, referring to Luke’s
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">phobia of crowds and being recognized thanks to his movie star celebrity.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“He’s fine,” Nat assures us with a smile. “He does well when he’s with all of us. It’s when he’s alone
that it’s difficult for him.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Will nods in understanding and rests his cheek on Meg’s head as Sam and Leo come into the room,
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">holding hands, sharing a smile.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Did you guys enjoy the show?” Leo asks as he steps behind Sam and wraps his arms around her
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">shoulders, pulling her back against his front and kissing the top of her head.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“It was great, Leo,” I respond with a smile. “I love the new music.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman,Italic'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Sunshine </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">is an excellent song,” Jules </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">agrees and winks at Sam.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I reach down and lace my fingers in Caleb’s, hoping to anchor him and bring him into the
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">conversation. He glances down at me quickly and squeezes my hand, but otherwise continues to watch
and listen, not participating in the dialog</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">ue. Finally, I rise up on my toes and whisper into his ear, “Are
you ready to go?”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Yes,” he answers immediately. “Brynna and I are going to take off,” he announces, shaking hands
with the guys and kissing the girls on their cheeks. “It was a great show, man.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Thanks. I’ll see you in a few weeks when I come home on our break.” Leo smiles warmly at me and
kisses my cheek, making my toes curl just a bit. “Give him hell,” he whispers to me and winks as I pull
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">away.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I wink back and trail behind Caleb, my hand still held firmly in his, out to the parking lot.
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Caleb?”<br />
“Let’s just get to the car, Bryn,” he responds quietly, but I hear the edge in his voice. He’s not mad.
He’s scared.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">And that just about brings me to my knees. Caleb is the strongest man I know, but being in this crowd,
worried about my safety and dealing with his own demons simply because I wanted to come be a part of
the concert speaks volumes for how he feels about me.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">He’d sit through hell for me.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">And he did.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">We reach the car and he tucks me saf</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">ely inside then moves around to the driver’s side and lowers
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">himself inside, shutting and locking the doors behind him.
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">He starts the car and white-knuckles the wheel, driving quickly and efficiently through the parking
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">garage. His muscles aren’t just tight, they’re stretched and bunched under his black sweater, and every
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">part of him is radiating sheer tension.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I reach over and lay my hand gently on his thigh and gasp. His thigh is flexed, and I can feel the
outline of every muscle through his blue jeans.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Are you okay?” I murmur.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">He glances over at me, his blue eyes hot and tight, and nods. “Yeah.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Babe, it’s okay.” He drops one hand off the wheel and covers mine on his leg, squeezing it
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">reassuringly.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman,Italic'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">What can I do to help him?
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">As an idea forms in my head, I turn in my seat and brush my knuckles down his cheek and along his
jaw.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Caleb?” I ask softly.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Hmm?” He responds.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Talk to me, sailor.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">He exhales deeply and concentrates on the road for a moment and just when I think he’s not going to
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">talk, he wh</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">ispers, “I’m sorry.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“For what?” I ask, surprised.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I know I wasn’t a lot of fun this evening. I’m not good around a bunch of people, Bryn. It makes me
nervous.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“We didn’t have to come, Caleb.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“You wanted to be here. I wanted you to come and have a good time.” He pushes his hand through his
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">hair and I feel him start to relax, bit by bit.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Thank you,” I reply quietly and lean over to kiss his cheek. My fingertips move gently up and down
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">his thigh, caressing him lightly. I drop a kiss on his shoulder and then his bicep.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“What are you up to, Legs?” He asks.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Can I try something that I’ve never done before?”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">He glances over at me and frowns slightly, curiously, and then finally offers me a half smile. “Okay.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“You’re going to have to scoot back just a bit,” I </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">inform him and take my seat belt off and reach for
his belt.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">His eyes go wide.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Bryn?”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I’m gonna suck you off in your car,” I say matter</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">-of-factly and pull his zipper down, tug his
underwear down and release his hard, hot cock. I pull my knees under me on the seat and brace myself on
the center console and pull him into my mouth.
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 122">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Fuck,” he whispers as he rests a hand on the back of my head, threading his fingers in my hair, as I
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">rise and fall on him, sucking and licking and tugging on his gorgeous dick.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I lick a trail from his balls, up the under side along a thick, bulging vein, to the tip and trace the ridge
of his head and the slit with my tongue.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I love your cock,” I murmur and sink down again, pulling him to the back of my throat. I hold him
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">there, pressing with my lips and swallow, massaging the tip with my throat.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Holy Jesus, Bryn, I’m going to crash this fucking car,” he growls, but I don’t let up. I suck harder and
move faster, and grip what won’t fit in my mouth with my hand, twisting and jackin</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">g him as I give him
the best damn blowjob of his life.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">He runs his hand from my head, down my spine, to my ass and grips hard, his fingertips brushing
along the seam of my skinny jeans, setting my core on fire. I cup his balls in my hand and plant my
tongu</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">e on the under side of his cock and tease him, knowing full well he’s on his way to coming in my
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">mouth.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I can’t fucking wait.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Stop, Bryn, I’m gonna come.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I shake my head and increase my efforts, and suddenly I can taste the salty essence of him filling my
mouth, splashing against the back of my throat, and I swallow, taking all of him and licking him clean
before I lean back, tuck him away and smile smugly from the passenger seat.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I guess I got you to look at me now, didn’t I?” I ask with a chuckle.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">He’s panting, his jaw dropped, and he looks over at me with a mixture of awe and lust and... </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman,Italic'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">anger</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">?
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I just sucked him dry. What the hell is he angry for?
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">He pulls up to the house, slams the car in park and before I know it, we’re inside and I’m pinned
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">against the front door and Caleb is pulling me out of my clothes.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Caleb...”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I’ve told you before, Legs,” he begins and tosses my top and bra over his shoulder, then reaches for
my jeans. “You always come first. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman,Italic'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Always</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">. You want to play this game?” He pulls my je</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">ans down my
legs and tosses them aside, along with my thong and pulls one of my legs over his shoulder, spreading me
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">wide. “I hope you’re ready for what you just started.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">And before I can form a coherent thought, he reaches up to clench a nipple between his thumb and
forefinger and buries his face in my pussy, sucking and pulling on my lips, licking from my anus up to
my clit in long, hard strokes.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Holy shit!” I exclaim and grip his head in one hand, tugging his hair in my fist and holding on for
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">dear lif</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">e to the door handle, praying I don’t fall.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“You think I didn’t see you tonight, sweetheart?” He murmurs between long swipes up and down my
pussy with his tongue. “You think I didn’t notice how fucking hot your ass and legs looked in those jeans
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">with these fuck-</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">me heels on your feet?”
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 123">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I squirm against the door as he pushes a finger inside me and pulls my clit through his lips with a loud
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman,Italic'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">smack</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“I can’t see anything </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman,Italic'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">but </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">you, Legs.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">SAFE WITH ME, releasing September 24, 2013 </span><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-68900189473332102902013-08-26T21:17:00.001-07:002013-08-26T21:17:19.708-07:00Reflecting on the past year...<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve
officially been on this journey for a year. It’s been a year ago this month
since I finished COME AWAY WITH ME and began sending it out to anyone who would
read it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
I’m getting ahead of myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
see, it occurred to me today how different my life is from just one year ago.
Radically different. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
year ago, it didn’t even enter my line of consciousness that in just one short
year I’d be about to release my sixth title, I’d have a contract with Simon
& Schuster, I’d have hit the USA Today list three times, or that I’d have a
whole team of people; agent, publicists, editor, assistant, helping me to
manage this career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
didn’t realize that I’d have made so many new friends who now are a part of my
daily life. People who inspire me and support me and keep me going. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">People
I love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">All
of these things were the dreams of my wildest imagination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
did I want to happen a year ago? What were my hopes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
simple, really.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
hoped that I would have readers. I hoped and prayed that just a few dozen
people, who didn’t know me, would read the book and actually like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">That
was it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve
been writing romance novels for fifteen years. I’ll say that again. FIFTEEN
YEARS, of writing, taking classes, writing some more. Listening to authors who
had experience and were willing to give me advice. Writing even more and then filing
those stories away as learning experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
read and read and read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
then I wrote some more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
queried agents and publishers, and typically received a form letter in return.
Thanks, but no thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
those fifteen years I married and divorced and married again. I moved about
eight times. Family members passed away. My husband was deployed to Iraq for a
year, leaving me to be a single mom to his two children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Life
happened, and there were times that I stopped writing, but in the end, I always
came back to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because
writing isn’t just something I do. It’s who I am. It’s my constant friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
year ago, I was working full time in a hospital emergency room, and I looked
around and said, “This is not who I am.” Not to say that it wasn’t a great job,
or an important job, because it is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
it wasn’t who I was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
so I took a chance and began sending messages to bloggers and other authors and
said, “I have this novel…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
didn’t even intend for it to be a series. When it began, Come Away With Me was
a stand alone, until I met Jules and her brothers, and I knew it would be a
series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
in the beginning, I just wanted that first story to be read. That was my dream.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
now here I am, a year later, and well… my dream certainly came true and grew
and grew. It didn’t happen over night. I hear so often, “It happened so fast!”
And it’s true, things have happened quickly in the past year, but no one saw
the past fifteen years of rejection, stories going unread, hours and hours of
classes and workshops and networking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nothing
worth having comes easy, and this is certainly worth having for me. This
community is simply the most amazing one that I’ve ever been a part of, and I’m
thankful that I’ve been welcomed with open arms. The readers are beautiful and
intelligent, and my colleagues are simply stellar. I’m humbled to be here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
love this job. And trust me, it is a job. Not an easy one. Still the best job
in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank
you. Thank you for reading my stories. Whether you love them, or even if you
think, “Meh, I’ve read better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank
you for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reading.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank
you for making my dreams come true. It’s an incredible life, and I don’t ever
take it for granted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not
for one day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-13007142710649489152013-08-13T08:07:00.005-07:002013-08-13T08:07:51.730-07:00Cover reveal/excerpt for LOVING CARA!I'm so excited to share this cover with you! Josh and Carolina's story, LOVING CARA, releases January 28, 2014, by Pocket Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. It is the first book in the Love Under the Big Sky series! I know it sounds like a long time out there, but it'll be here before you know it!!<br />
<br />
Here is the GORGEOUS cover!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GaQ_QPwQd7A/UgpKZkR1bMI/AAAAAAAADnA/WU7P-nqCWOA/s1600/loving+cara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GaQ_QPwQd7A/UgpKZkR1bMI/AAAAAAAADnA/WU7P-nqCWOA/s1600/loving+cara.jpg" height="400" width="243" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And here is the synopsis:<br />
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHEMISTRY WAS NEVER THIS SEXY IN HIGH SCHOOL.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In her sizzling new series, <i>USA Today </i>bestselling author Kristen Proby sets the stage for a passionate reunion under the breathtaking Montana sky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cara Donovan’s summer tutoring job is turning out to be a challenge—and not just because of her troubled twelve-year-old student. It’s his uncle Josh who’s the real problem. If <i>problem </i>is the word for an irresistibly cocky, muscle-bound rancher with a taste for tight Levi’s and shameless flirtation. . . .</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cara is nothing like the wallflower Josh King remembers good-naturedly teasing in high school. This Cara is gorgeous, confident, fun. From the moment the fiery teacher steps foot on his family’s Lazy K Ranch, the stubborn playboy is determined to corral her. So what happens when his luscious lover takes over the reins?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first in a steamy trilogy, Kristen Proby’s enthralling novel is filled to the brim with one hardworking family’s triumphs and challenges, all the wild adventure of the modern West, and a whole lot of titillating fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And the excerpt. Please remember, this is unedited and may be changed or deleted prior to publication!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />“Where are your jeans?” Josh asks as he meets me at my car the following morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“These are jeans.” I pull my tote bag out of the car and walk toward the front door of his house. “Is Seth here yet?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No, he’ll be a few minutes. I have him feeding the dogs at the big house.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Okay.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Those are not jeans.” He’s scowling down at my denim shorts like they’re the devil incarnate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“They’re denim.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He narrows his chocolate eyes at me, but I see the humor there, and the butterflies take up residence in my belly again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I love riling this guy up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Fine, they’ll have to do. Go ahead and get settled, Seth will be here in a minute. I have to ride out with a few of the guys to repair a fence, so I’ll see you at lunch time.” He pulls on some gloves and settles his green baseball cap on his head backwards again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You don’t wear cowboy hats?” I ask without thinking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Not usually. I have one, if you’d rather I wear it.” He smirks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No, just curious,” I mumble and head toward the house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t leave before I get back. I have plans for you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He grins wide, winks, and saunters off toward the massive barn that sits between his house and the big house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well, isn’t that view nice? His Levi’s hug his ass perfectly and sit low on his hips, and as he walks I can see his buttocks and thighs flex.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dear God, I’m lusting after a rancher.</span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-24936598744634525242013-08-02T08:00:00.000-07:002013-08-02T08:00:52.297-07:00SAFE WITH ME cover reveal and excerpt!I am thrilled to unveil the new cover for SAFE WITH ME, Caleb and Brynna's love story, releasing September 24, 2013! So, without further ado, here it is!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pe4DTOWGves/UftIs4j3gPI/AAAAAAAADms/Nlt8vcBAmOU/s1600/Safe+With+Me+-+Kristen+Proby+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pe4DTOWGves/UftIs4j3gPI/AAAAAAAADms/Nlt8vcBAmOU/s1600/Safe+With+Me+-+Kristen+Proby+Final.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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A very special thank you to the talented people who made this beautiful cover happen:</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cover Artist: Renae Porter of Social Butterfly Creative</div>
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Photographer: Molly Claridge of Be Still Photography</div>
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Models: Michael Wilson and Steph Buzzell</div>
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Hair and Makeup: Melanie Hobus</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
Synopsis:<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keeping others
safe is what Caleb Montgomery does. He’s never had a problem taking on an
assignment, whether it was during his dangerous SEAL days or his most recent
job of training war mercenaries. But being assigned to keep Brynna Vincent and
her adorable daughters, Maddie and Josie, safe from an unknown threat has
thrown Caleb off his axis. Hot for the tall brunette since she came back to
town more than a year ago, being close to her day in and day out is cracking
Caleb’s resolve to keep his hands off her gorgeous body and his head in the
mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brynna is sick
and tired of being afraid. All she wants is a normal, quiet life for her and
her precious girls. </span>Just as she’s settling into her new home in Seattle
and feeling safe again, Caleb shows up on her doorstep insisting the danger is
as high as ever. But whether she needs to be sheltered from the threat in her
past, or from the intense emotions she feels for the sexy, protective man
sleeping in her home, remains to be seen. What will happen if Brynna and her
girls fall in love with a man so broken he may not be able to protect them from
the danger that threatens, much less himself?</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">SAFE WITH ME is
the fifth book in the With Me In Seattle series, and continues to follow this
tight-knit, loving family through life’s trials and tribulations with humor,
passion and everlasting love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: red;">And now a special excerpt from SAFE WITH ME!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Please remember: This is unedited and may be changed or deleted prior to publication. All copyright belongs to Kristen Proby.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Deny
it if you want to,” Meg smirks and glances out the back window. “Damn,” she whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
is it?” Nat asks and rises from the table to see what Meg is looking at. Her
eyes widen and she glances back at me and then outside again. “Holy shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
know exactly what they’re watching.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Or,
who.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
yes, it is a sight to behold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How
do you ever get anything done around here?” Meg asks as I rise and lean against
the sliding glass door, coffee cradled in my hands, and watch the sexy man in
my backyard. “I’d just stand around and watch him all day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Uh,
Meg,” I glance over at her and laugh. “You have one of these at home,” I remind
her, referring to Caleb’s pro-football star brother, Will, who is also Meg’s
live-in boyfriend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And
it’s a good thing he’s gone most of the day or I wouldn’t get anything done
either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s
starting to rain,” Nat observes, but it doesn’t seem to faze Caleb. He lifts
two thick, heavy ropes in both of his hands. The ends are attached to Nat’s
photo studio out back. With a firm grip on the ropes, he begins to wave them up
and down, quickly, the rain pounding down on him, causing his shirt to cling to
every muscle as it flexes and moves with the motion of the exercise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hot
damn,” Nat whispers and I silently agree. He continues to pump his arms
furiously, effortlessly. “What does that exercise do?” Nat asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Works
his arms, back and abdomen, and it’s cardio too,” Meg responds and takes a sip
of coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just
then, Caleb drops the ropes, bends down to grab onto a medicine ball and lowers
his tall body to the sit-up position.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Maybe
he’ll bend over again,” I murmur, earning giggles from the other two women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s
a good thing Jules isn’t here,” Nat mutters and licks her lips as her eyes
watch Caleb hold the medicine ball over his head and easily raise and lower his
torso in smooth sit-ups. “She’d never let us watch him like this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Jesus,
that medicine ball is fifty pounds,” Meg whispers, amazed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Watch
this part,” I urge them as Caleb tosses the ball to the side like it’s a beach
ball and assumes the push-up position and begins to perfectly execute the
push-ups, easily completing more than a hundred of them in two minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why
aren’t you sleeping with him again?” Meg asks and I choke on my coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
might be,” I whisper and feel their astonished gazes on me, but I avoid them.
“Don’t you dare breathe a word of that to anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Who
can blame you?” Nat asks just as Caleb stands and returns to the ropes. “Look
at those back muscles.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Look
at that ass,” Meg counters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
should see it naked,” I respond and we all giggle again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Should
I be grossed out by this?” Nat asks, tilting her head to the side. “He’s
practically my brother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But
he’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> your brother, Nat.” I remind
her with a grin. “And the Montgomery men are freaking hot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s
no lie,” Meg agrees. “Aren’t you going to be late for work?” She asks me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
have a few minutes,” I murmur and feel the familiar pull low in my belly as I
watch Caleb lay on the ground again and execute more perfect sit-ups with his
medicine ball.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
would be the perfect position for me to ride him. I might have to suggest that
tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“He’s
hardly panting,” I observe. “What kind of physical training must he go through
to work that hard and have it hardly phase him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh
girl, you have no idea the rigorous training they go through to become SEALs.
It’s not natural.” Nat shudders. “All of the boys have always been athletic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Obviously,”
I murmur sarcastically. “It’s a bit intimidating.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Caleb
can be the scariest person on Earth if he’s pissed off,” Nat informs us, her
eyes still glued to him. “He’s just big and strong, and damn intimidating.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
should see him with the girls.” I grin, remembering our movie night last week.
“He’s funny and sweet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
realize the room has gone dead silent. I look over to my friends to find them
looking at each other and then staring over at me. “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’ve
got it bad,” Nat remarks and snickers. “Welcome to the club.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
club?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The
‘I Love a Hot Man’ club, sweetheart.” Meg laughs and salutes me with her mug
just as Caleb approaches the sliding door, frowning at me. I step back in
surprise as the girls giggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What’s
wrong?” Caleb asks, is hair and clothes soaked and a little muddy from the rain
and grass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nothing,”
I reply and shrug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
narrows his eyes at me, watching me closely, then turns his gaze to Nat and
Meg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What’s
going on with you guys?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nothing
at all,” Nat replies with a huge grin. “Just girl talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Uh
huh.” He props his hands on his lean hips and watches all three of us for a
moment and then shrugs and saunters to the fridge to pull out a cold bottle of
water. “We have to leave soon,” he reminds me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-25961572775025872652013-07-31T12:45:00.001-07:002013-07-31T12:45:08.636-07:00IT'S NATIONAL ORGASM DAY!!! To celebrate, here is the beloved van scene from PLAY WITH ME! :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oSHJApH2gg/UfloNFF23SI/AAAAAAAADmc/Nd4vFT-QESM/s1600/05f65fae9840fe1b3390a14bc1653128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oSHJApH2gg/UfloNFF23SI/AAAAAAAADmc/Nd4vFT-QESM/s1600/05f65fae9840fe1b3390a14bc1653128.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who
called them?” Natalie asks and points a drunk finger toward the door. We follow
her manicured hand to find Caleb and Matt sauntering to us, trying not to
smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gosh,
the Mungumrys are pretty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We
don’t want to go home yet.” Jules pouts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The
bar is trying to close, Jules,” Matt tells her. “We need to start taking you
guys home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll
call Nate and have him pay them to stay open longer,” Jules reaches for her
phone, but Matt just laughs at her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Uh,
Jules, it’s against the law for them to stay open any later than this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,
shit,” Sam mutters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,
shit,” I mutter in agreement. “Okay, let’s go.” We all slam our last shot, grab
our bags and head toward the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank
goodness my feet are still intact this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
gonna go get some orgasms!” Natalie announces to all of us as we stand on the
sidewalk and wait for Caleb to bring the car around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
grin and raise my fist to bump hers. “Hey! I can get some this time too! Wait.”
I turn my blurry eyes to Matt. “Did Will get home?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Will
had to travel to New York this weekend for an away game. I hate it when he’s
gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
he’s waiting for you at home,” Matt replies with a half-smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good!
Orgasms for me!” The girls all laugh and high five each other, half of us
missing the others hands in our drunken stupor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Caleb
pulls up to the curb in a mini-van that he must have borrowed from someone to
cart us all around in. He hops out of the drivers’ seat to help Matt get us all
in and settled, then Matt gets in the drivers’ seat and Caleb in the passenger
seat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
need orgasms,” Brynna pouts. She is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hilarious</i>
drunk. This dark haired woman is a vixen when given some liquid courage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That
one guy who was dancing with you would have given you some,” I remark with a
smirk and Caleb’s head whips around to glare at us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
man?” he asks, his voice low and hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just
some dude who wanted to get his groove on,” Natalie responds. “And by groove, I
mean giving Bryn some orgasms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
all laugh, like that’s the funniest thing we’ve ever heard. ‘Cause it is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey,
are you guys good at giving orgasms?” I ask the brothers and then smirk when
Matt shakes his head ruefully and Caleb puts his hand over his eyes, trying to
hold onto his patience. “I bet you are. I bet it’s ‘netic, ‘cause Will can give
some fucking good orgasms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
want some rough sex,” Sam responds. “I like to be spanked.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Seriously?”
Brynna asks, her eyes wide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Haven’t
you ever been spanked?” Sam asks her, and Brynna shakes her head no. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hmm… I think I’ll have
Will spank me tonight.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
totally hot,” Sam tells her and we all nod in agreement. Matt shakes his head
again as we turn a corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s
wrong, Matt?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Must
you guys talk about sex?” he asks. “I’m related to most of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s
wrong, you don’t like it rough?” Brynna asks with a smirk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because
I’m sitting right behind him, I hear him mumble, “You have no idea how rough I
like it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dude,”
Caleb scolds him. “Shut it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?
They’re talking about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah!
I need to get laid,” Brynna mumbles again. “Seriously guys. Like laid for days.
Like, we just do it over and over and over…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Enough!”
Caleb yells, startling all of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matt
laughs at him as we all look at each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
think Caleb needs to get laid too,” Jules remarks with a smug smile. “Nat, how
do you spell orgasm?” she asks, her face practically pressed to the screen of
her phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
don’t spell it, you feel it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
I’m texting Nate and I’m gunna tell him I need some.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
think he knows,” I tell her. Well, the one on the right. There are three of
her. “Nate looks like he gives really good orgasms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
he seriously does. I never realized what that apa could do until I met him.”
She’s nodding and texting and I’m stunned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s
pierced?” I squeak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yep.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Holy
shit!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No
way!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All
the girls are stunned, throwing questions out at once, but I’m speechless. Holy
shit. He’s pierced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lucky
Jules.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
wonder if Will would get pierced?” I ask the van at-large, but both Matt and
Caleb respond with a loud, “No!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly,
Caleb’s phone is ringing. “Hey, man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who
is that?” Jules asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,
we have them and we’re on the way to your place first.” Caleb says as he looks
back at Nat, who is curled in a little ball with a grin on her pretty face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you thinking about orgasms?” I ask her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mmm
hmm.” She confirms. “Luke’s good at them too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lucky
bitch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We’re
all lucky bitches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Well,
those of us getting orgasms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Luke’s
waiting for you, Nat.” Caleb tells her as he hangs up the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
know,” she smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There
is no one at home to smack my ass,” Sam remarks darkly, a scowl on her
beautiful face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
should have picked someone up at the bar,” Jules replies. “Nat, how do you
spell pussy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matt
chokes on the soda he was drinking. “Seriously, Jules, shut up! You’re my
sister!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
stop. I’m a grown up. I’ve been having sex for more than a decade.” She waves
him off. “Meg, how do you spell cock?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
don’t know,” I wrinkle my forehead in thought. All my words are gone. “Shit, I
have ‘nesia!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shit,”
Brynna replies. “I think you spell it c-o-c-k. But you’re not supposed to spell
it, Jules, you’re supposed to suck it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sonofabitch,”
Caleb mutters and answers his ringing phone. “Hi Will. I sound like this
because these drunker than fuck women won’t stop talking about sex…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
rip the phone out of his hand. “Hey, sssssexy football player.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hi,
honey. Are you having fun?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God, his voice is hot.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah.
I want orgasms. I get to have them this time, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
laughs in my ear and I smile. “As long as you don’t throw up, yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
won’t throw up,” I frown. “I want you to smack my ass. Sam reminded me that I
like that. But I have ‘nesia ‘cause I can’t remember how to spell pussy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Uh,
Meg, my brothers are right there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
know your brothers are right here!” I roll my eyes and giggle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They’re
my brothers too!” Jules yells at him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jesus,
you guys got really drunk.” Will chuckles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,
yeah. It’s a bitcherlet party, Will.” I squirm in my seat. “Now, as I was
saying. You know where I have my clit…” Before I can say another word, Caleb
takes the phone back, scowling at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dude,
what is up with all these horny women?” he asks Will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey!
I wasn’t done!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Meg,”
Jules peers over at me. “My brothers don’t want to know that you have your clit
pierced.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
hear Will yelling on the phone, even over the girls gasps, and then Caleb
pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. “Yes, she told.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matt
glances at me in the rearview and I shrug. “What?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
laughs and shakes his head. “Nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey,
it makes things interesting.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
pull up to Nat’s house, and Luke comes out to gather his girl. He smiles
sweetly at her as he lifts her out of the van.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Welcome
home, baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hi,
handsome.” She cups his face in her hands and kisses him deeply as he carries
her inside and waves back at us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Orgasms,”
Brynna sighs and sits back in her seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Next
stop is Nat and Jules’ old house where Brynna and her girls have been living
for the past few months. Brynna steps out of the van, but stumbles, and Caleb
easily lifts her in his arms and smiles down at her as she wraps her arms
around his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
don’t have to carry me,” she murmurs to him as he walks to her front door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
okay, sweetheart,” he mumbles back and I sigh. Gosh, he’s sweet. All the guys
are so sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
like sweet guys,” I announce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why?”
Jules asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
dunno.” I frown and think about it. “They taste good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sam
nods in agreement. “They do. But they taste good when they’re naughty too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
yeah.” I remember. “Okay. I like sweet, naughty guys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Caleb
climbs back in and we take Sam home. “You okay?” Matt asks her as she climbs
out of the van.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,
I’m fine. I have to go call Brandon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who’s
Brandon?” Jules asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fuck
buddy. I need to be spanked. ‘Night all!” And with that she disappears into her
downtown apartment building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Atta
girl!” I yell at her. “You go get some.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jules
smirks and looks over at me. “I’m so glad we did this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So
fun,” I agree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ll
do it again when you get married.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
frown at her and shake my head. “Not getting married.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Will
will leave me before that.” I shrug and sigh. “But I’ll enjoy him for now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
look up to find Caleb and Jules both scowling at me, and Matt eyeing me again
in the mirror. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why
would he leave you?” Caleb asks quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They
always leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who?”
Matt asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“People
I love.” I sigh again and look at Jules who is watching me with understanding
eyes. She and Nat are the only ones who really know. “I can’t tell him, Jules.
If I tell him I love him, he’ll go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No
he won’t, sweetie.” She squeezes my hand and then grins. “He’ll fuck the shit
out of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No
he won’t.” I shake my head. “He says he never fucks me. Even when he fucks me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
does that mean?” she asks with a frown as the guys up front share a glance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
dunno.” We pull up to Jules’ building. “Go get your apagasms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay.”
She smiles widely at the tall, devastatingly handsome man walking out to the
curb to claim her. “See you Saturday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nate
lifts her in his arms and waves at us before carrying her back inside out of
the cold. They’re so pretty together. Their babies will be knock outs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
snort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Knock
outs. Nate used to fight. Why this is so funny to me, I’m not sure, other than
it’s still the alcohol talking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
must fall asleep because suddenly the van door opens again and Will leans in,
smiling gently at me. “Hey, lazy girl. Let’s get you inside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
lifts me easily out of the van and I wrap myself around him, so happy to be
cradled in his strong arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thanks
guys. Have a good night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No
problem, man. Good luck with her.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
eyes are closed, but I can hear Caleb’s grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good
night, boys. Go find some orgasms,” I instruct them and can’t help but smile at
their laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
love these guys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All copyrights apply. PLAY WITH ME, available now from Amazon and Barnes & Noble</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-83218635212932564402013-07-16T08:50:00.001-07:002013-07-16T08:50:33.936-07:00SAFE WITH ME excerpt for July!First, I have to say thank you. Thank you for continuing to be patient and supportive in your wait for Caleb and Brynna's story. I promise you, it will be worth the wait!<br />
<br />
As a thank you, I've decided to give you three long excerpts between now and release day, September 24th.<br />
<br />
This is the first. I hope you enjoy it! As always, this may be altered or deleted prior to publication and is intended for adult readers.<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cI0w_-Wy_Bs/UeVrfQ0Tc9I/AAAAAAAADmI/86qGTAkPBHw/s1600/1f9bf59b4d92d8dfaa61496f86f1cceb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cI0w_-Wy_Bs/UeVrfQ0Tc9I/AAAAAAAADmI/86qGTAkPBHw/s1600/1f9bf59b4d92d8dfaa61496f86f1cceb.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
don’t know about this,” I mutter and watch as Caleb pushes a clip into his
handgun with a loud <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">snick.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
need to learn,” he reminds me for the thousandth time since we left the post
office and he told me we were coming to the shooting range.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why?
I don’t like the idea of having a gun in the house with the girls.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The
girls won’t be shooting it.” He passes me a pair of clear shooting glasses and
a set of earmuffs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Caleb,
accidents happen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Number
one,” he begins, his voice hard, jaw locked and eyes cold. He’s in military
mode. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
fucking scary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Any
weapon in your house will either be on our person or locked away. The girls
will never have an opportunity to have an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">accident.</i>”
He cocks an eyebrow at me, waiting for me to respond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ll
be damned if I will say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yes, sir.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Okay,”
I respond and lift my chin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His
lips twitch before he continues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Number
two, you need to learn this so you can protect yourself. The people who may or
may not be looking for you are dangerous, and they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> have firearms. Your screwdriver can’t compete with that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hey,”
I begin, but he cuts me off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And
number three,” he leans in to whisper in my ear. “Don’t be a pussy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">That
does it. Just like that, I’m fucking pissed as hell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pussy?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I’m no damn pussy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
narrow my eyes at him and push my face up to his. “Bring it on, sailor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Good
girl,” he mutters and grins down at me proudly. “Have you ever held a handgun
before?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Okay.”
He holds it up for me to inspect. “This is the safety. It’s off because we’re
about to shoot it.” He grins at me and I can tell he loves this. “This clip has
ten rounds in it. I have four more with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Got
it,” I nod, staring at the black weapon in his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Do
you want me to go first?” he asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,
please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
nods, pushes his own glasses onto his face and sets his target. I glance around
the range and take in the smell of gunpowder and male sweat. It’s deserted
right now, in the middle of a weekday. We are at the farthest window down, and
are completely alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
Caleb is completely in his element.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Stand
back just a bit. I don’t want one of these hot shells to hit you when it comes
out of the pistol.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Got
it.” I take my place, and when he’s satisfied that I’m safe from getting hit,
he turns to the target, raises the gun in both hands, his arms extended and
muscles completely flexed and takes his first shot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
I’m immediately wet and panting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
the love of all that’s holy this man is pure, unadulterated sex on a fucking
stick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
squeezes the trigger slowly for a couple of shots, and then empties the clip
quickly, not taking his eyes off the target.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
he looks back at me, he smiles smugly and pulls his target to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
okay?” He asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Fine.”
I clear my throat and feel my eyes widen when his target approaches. There is a
huge hole where the chest was and another in the top of the head. “Nice shot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
shrugs and replaces the target with a fresh one and sends it out. “Your turn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Maybe
you should take another turn,” I mention, trying to keep my voice light. I’m
suddenly nervous as hell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Pussy,”
he whispers and laughs when I glare at him. He pulls out the empty clip and
hands me a new, loaded one and the gun. “Load your clip.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
do, clumsily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Relax,
baby, you’ll get the hang of it. You just need practice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
heart stutters at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">baby</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Now,
face the target. Feel the weapon in your hands, Bryn. It’s heavy. When it
fires, it’s going to have a bit of a recoil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh,
goody,” I murmur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’ll
be fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
face the target and stare down at the weapon in my hand. How did I get here?
How did my life come to this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Raise
the gun.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
follow his order and stare hard at the target roughly twenty yards from me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
squeeze the trigger and the first shot recoils harder than I expected, making
me jump.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Easy,”
Caleb murmurs behind me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
fine.” Maybe if I keep saying it I’ll start to believe it myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
moves up behind me and nudges my legs apart. “Widen your stance for balance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
fire again, and my blood thickens as adrenaline pumps hard and fast through me.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
doesn’t take a Navy SEAL to figure out how to line up the sights, and I squeeze
the trigger, again and again, my body taught with aggression that I didn’t even
know I’d been holding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shooting
is great therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
my clip is empty, Caleb wordlessly shows me how to switch it out, and I
continue to throw the bullets down the range, clip after clip, until all four
are spent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
set the heavy gun on the shelf, pull my goggles and earmuffs off and step back.
I have to lock my knees because my legs feel like Jell-O and I’m afraid I’ll
fall. My arms are humming, I’m panting, and I swear to God, I could run a
marathon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Suddenly,
Caleb steps up behind me and presses the button to bring the target back to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Take
a deep breath,” he whispers against my ear and I instinctively respond, pulling
in a long, deep breath. He presses his chest against my back, his thighs
against the back of my own, and pulls in a long breath of his own. “You smell
so fucking good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His
cock stirs against my backside, through his jeans. He pulls his hands up my arms
and down my sides to my hips, where he rests them as he runs his nose up the
side of my neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
the noise and feel of the gun still in my head, my heart still pounding like
crazy, I want him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
have no idea how fucking good you feel pressed up against me like this,” he
whispers, his voice rough and strained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
think I have an idea,” I respond, surprised to hear the raw need in my own
voice. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back on his shoulder and relish in the
feel of his hands kneading my hips and his face pressed into my neck. My
nipples are puckered and straining against my bra, and goosebumps have broken
out up and down the length of my body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
want him unlike anything or anyone I’ve ever wanted before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Caleb.”
His name is a whisper, a prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Smell
so damn good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Touch
me,” I demand softly. His hands still. He kisses my neck softly, takes a long,
deep breath, and then backs away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
turn around in surprise and in full-blown anger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
kind of game are you playing?” I demand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
not playing a game.” He crosses his arms over his chest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Caleb.”
I just stare at him for a long moment. Thirty seconds ago his hands were on me
and he was whispering the sweetest things in my ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now
he’s turned back into the drill sergeant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And men say women are confusing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finally,
he turns and pulls the target down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ll
be damned,” he whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Let
me see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
are a few stray bullet holes around the white part of the target, but in the
center of the chest and the top of the head are two good-sized holes where my
bullets pierced the paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’re
a natural.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
shrug like it’s no big thing, but inside I’m doing the mega happy-dance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Not
so much a pussy, I guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caleb
laughs, long and loud and scoops me up into a long hug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Definitely
not a pussy,” he agrees as he pulls away from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Caleb?”
My heart is beating hard, and I’m still pissed at him. He’s smiling down at my
target, but when his eyes meet mine, he sobers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t
fucking touch me like that again unless you plan to finish what you start.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His
eyes go hard and his jaw tightens. Before I can turn and walk away, he grabs my
wrist and pulls me against him, pinning my arms between our bodies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Let’s
get this straight, Brynna. I want you so fucking bad my teeth ache. I’ve wanted
you for months. But you’re part of my family, and I’m supposed to be protecting
you. Dropping my guard and fucking you into the mattress is not the way to keep
any of you whole.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
gasp as his words sink in and I want to beg him to take me home do exactly
that; fuck me into the mattress, but before I can speak, he lowers his forehead
to mine and clenches his eyes closed as if in pain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
not going to fuck up our friendship, or make things weird for you with my
family, just because I can’t keep my damn hands off you. You mean too much for
that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
lean into him, wanting to comfort him, but he sighs, lifts his head and plants
his lips on my forehead for a long few seconds and then backs away, turns his
back on me, and loads the weapon and clips back into his locking gun box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
apologize. I won’t touch you again.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before
I can argue, ask him to talk with me about this, he stalks off ahead of me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Let’s
go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Copyright Kristen Proby 2013. All rights reserved.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-1892196398559512152013-07-04T08:43:00.001-07:002013-07-04T08:43:15.754-07:004th of July... remember why we LOVE Caleb Montgomery!I don't have any snippets of SAFE WITH ME to share with you yet, but because it's the Fourth of July, and Caleb is our Navy SEAL, I thought it would be fun to re-read the scene where we meet the alpha, over-protective man that we've grown to love. This is the baby shower scene in FIGHT WITH ME. Enjoy and have a happy and safe holiday!<br />
<br />
Please remember: this is copyrighted material.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nily3a4T9d8/UdWWpfN3GrI/AAAAAAAADl0/9pOD8zA4AAo/s672/d6674ebb165a0942d958b1d919638551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nily3a4T9d8/UdWWpfN3GrI/AAAAAAAADl0/9pOD8zA4AAo/s672/d6674ebb165a0942d958b1d919638551.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who
the fuck are you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Caleb!”
I turn to march toward him, but Nate stops me with a hand on my shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes are locked on Caleb’s, ice cold, but
his face is completely expressionless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
this is how he looked at his opponents in the ring, I’m surprised they didn’t
turn and run and cry for their mommy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
Nate McKenna.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nate steps forward and
extends his right hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb doesn’t
take it, he just keeps staring at Nate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
frantically look around the room for help, but everyone is just watching the
show, wondering what’s going to happen next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why
are your hands on my sister?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb
doesn’t move, his face is also expressionless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fuck, I was afraid of
this.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of all my brothers, Caleb has always been the
most protective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a Navy SEAL, he
can kill someone and make it look like natural causes, and I think if you look
“testosterone” up in the dictionary, there would be a photo of his handsome
face rather than a definition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s the
same height as Nate, and roughly the same build.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He’s
scary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
he loves me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not
a good combination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Caleb,”
I try again, but Nate puts his hand up to make me stop and I frown at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
am Julianne’s date today,” Nate states simply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That’s
a good way to put it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Caleb
doesn’t seem to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
think we should take this outside.” Caleb turns toward the door, and Nate
follows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“With
pleasure.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“STOP!”
I scream and both men stop and turn to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This is not about you, Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stop being a testosterony asshole.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He frowns and starts to yell back at me, but I walk over to him and kiss
his cheek and whisper in his ear, “Stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a good man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he fucks up you can kill him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Caleb
pulls back and looks into my eyes, then his face softens and he tugs on my
ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks back at Nate, then to our brothers,
who seem to give him some kind of weird subliminal message that I’ve never been
in tune with, and then extends his hand to Nate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Caleb.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nate
takes it and grips it firmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Pleasure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Caleb
laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry I’m late, guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been packing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
are you going?” Natalie asks, tears in her eyes again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus,
she never turns off the water these days. Is this what pregnancy does? Makes you
a slow moving, emotional wreck? Ugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can’t tell you that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiles at
Natalie and hugs her close, rubbing his hand over her belly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always did have a crush on her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m afraid I won’t be here when the bambino
gets here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Natalie looks at me and back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know how she worries for all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After losing her parents so unexpectedly a
few years ago, she always worries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Please, be careful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll
be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be excited to come home and meet… what
are you naming her, anyway?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Natalie
and Luke look at each other and grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We’re not telling,” Luke responds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fuck
that, I won’t be able to be reached for a good three months, so tell me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nate and I take our seats, he kisses my
cheek, and I rub his thigh under the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Watch
your mouth!” Mom yells and Caleb rolls his eyes at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He’s
so gonna get it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
a surprise.” Caleb frowns at Nat and we all laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No one is allowed to get on the phone and
call TMZ, got it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Whatever.
Spill it,” Will calls out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Natalie
looks at Luke and he grins and nods his agreement to tell us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I feel tears start to roll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey,
you okay?” Nate asks and wipes my tears off my cheeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,
Natalie’s hormone issues are contagious.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I laugh and dab beneath my eyes with a napkin, careful not to smudge my
makeup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a beautiful name,
sweetie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
SAFE WITH ME, Caleb and Brynna's love story, is scheduled for release late this summer.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237085110283332026.post-50187813393979799602013-06-24T07:21:00.002-07:002013-06-24T07:21:39.477-07:00I have BIG news!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
am elated to announce that I have signed a three-book deal with Pocket Books.
This is a new trilogy, about an all new set of people. It continues in my
family-saga style of writing and is called the Love Under the Big Sky series.
The first novel, LOVING CARA, is set to release in February of 2014.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
want to assure you that I have retained the rights to my With Me In Seattle
series, and I will continue to self-publish the remaining books. SAFE WITH ME
is scheduled to release in mid-September. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
am honored and excited for the chance to work with the team at Pocket. Josh and
Cara’s story is romantic, sexy and fun, and I can’t wait for you to read it! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank
you, readers, for waiting patiently for this news. I know that I’ve been rather
closed-mouthed about the project I’ve been working on, especially for me. I
usually post regularly about the characters and story that I’m currently
immersed in. Unfortunately, I haven’t had that opportunity with this one. I’m
excited to be able to talk about it now!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">So,
to re-cap, you can expect for me to release SAFE WITH ME in mid-September, TIED
WITH ME before the end of the year, and the new trilogy begins with LOVING
CARA, coming from Pocket Books in February, 2014! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
would be remiss if I didn’t say a heart-felt thank you to my amazing agent,
Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. She has been so supportive and
encouraging, and worked tirelessly on this deal to make sure it was exactly
what was best for me. Thank you, Kevan!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06717337048774368391noreply@blogger.com30