Saturday, June 27, 2009

Snippet Saturday - Food

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Today’s snippet theme is Food. Enjoy a look at the food scene from a book I co-authored with Koko Brown.

An snippet from Forever, I Do….

kbtc_foreverido_coverlg“Actually, I have another flavor for you to test.” She hurried over to the steel table in the center.

Ashley’s stomach rolled. He dreaded hearing those words each time he came by. In the last few visits, she’d always had something for him to try. All of them tasted awful.
He couldn’t understand why. Usually the pastries and cakes she gave away as samples in the bakery when she was trying to test a new flavor combination were delicious. Yet these new ones were nasty. The last one had made him sick all night. He kept telling her she didn’t need any new flavor. She hadn’t listened. If he didn’t know better, he would swear she was trying to kill him.

Ashley glanced at her suspiciously. She looked so anxious and nervous. His heart softened. He wasn’t used to seeing this expression on her. Reluctantly, he made his way over to the table and took a seat on high stool. At the sight of a hefty slice of tiramisu nestled in the center of a pink cake plate, he groaned. On his next trip to the dentist, he was going to beg Dr. Winthrop to remove his sweet tooth.

“Umm…sweet cheeks… Why don’t we take these samples out for everyone to test?” He reached for the plate.

“No!” she said sharply. As if remembering herself, she smiled. “I trust your palate, Benedict. And I want to be certain it lives up to the bakery’s other flavors before I add it to the menu.” She pushed the plate toward him. “Please, Ashley. Take a taste.”

When she used his name like that, Ashley knew he would do anything she asked. He picked up his fork and sliced into the Italian delicacy. However, when he brought the cake to his lips, his stomach clenched.

As he hesitated at the threshold, he glanced at her. Rosalind’s look was intense. He gulped, raising the fork to his mouth. His hand shook and his palms became clammy.

Come on, Benedict, you can do this. He opened his mouth, pulling the pastry closer.

“Rosalind, where are the extra ribbons?” Lacretia called.

“Under the counter.” Rosalind walked around the table to the door. She pushed it and went into the front.

Thank you, Lacretia!

Ashley looked around frantically for a place to ditch the deadly serving. Spotting a trash can by the back door, he hurried over and dumped the entire contents inside. Straightening, he walked back over to table just in time.

Seconds later, Rosalind came back into the kitchen. She looked at him, then the empty plate. A sad smile curved her lips. “So, how was it?”

He refused to feel guilty.

It was him or those awful cookies. And he liked himself more. Standing, he went over to her and put his hand on her waist. She stiffened, then watched him suspiciously.

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine. Are you going to make me a happy man and finally accept my invitation to dinner?”

Rosalind watched him, then muttered. “Not enough fish scales.”

“What?” He frowned.

“Ummm… I’ve already scaled my fish for my dinner tonight. I can’t go out,” she finished
in a rush.

Watching her, he wondered why she was acting so strangely. Rosalind pushed his hands away and moved back from him.

“Besides, you see me enough. You come by here often,” she griped.

The annoyance in her tone pissed him off.

“You know what, Miss Fletcher, you won’t have to worry about me coming by.” He grabbed her, pulling her into his body. “No matter how you deny it, you want me.”
She opened her mouth.

“Hush. You do. Your body tells me every time we’re in the same room. The catch in your breath. The way your pulse races when I get close. Your nipples get hard, and I’m sure if I were to touch you I would find you wet. Wet and aching for me,” he whispered against the side of her face.

He felt her shudder. A frisson of pleasure shot through him, but he released her and stepped away.

“You’re going to have to come to me, Rosalind. When you do, no more running or backing away.”

He stroked a finger against her cheek, then turned and left.

Copyright © Koko Brown and Taige Crenshaw, 2009.
All Rights Reserved, Loose Id.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Cynthia Eden
Lauren Dane
McKenna Jeffries
Michelle M Pillow
Moira Rogers
Sylvia Day
TJ Michaels
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Victoria Janssen
Marissa Scott
Maura Anderson
Shelley Munro
Jody Wallace
Eliza Gayle
Kelly Maher
Lacey Savage
Mark Henry
Shelli Stevens

Friday, June 26, 2009

Satin Notes - New Chapter Posted

A new chapter has been posted on Satin Notes, the free read site. Go check out the new chapter of our current read at ~ http://www.satinnotes.com.

Monday, June 22, 2009

15 years ago...

Where were you 15 years ago?

Until a few days ago I wasn’t even thinking of 15 years ago but then my sister reminded me of something I didn't realize. This month is the 15th year anniversary for my high school class. Wow I can't believe it’s been that long.

Now that I’ve thought of it. I remember the month of June, 15 years ago was one of triumph, angst and fear. I was stoked to be leaving what I perceived as childhood (high school) and on my way to take the first steps to becoming an adult (college). I already had my acceptance to college and was looking forward to it. Then the angst came in. Would I be okay? I was leaving my home in the Caribbean and going to New York. A whole new place with new people. A major cultural shock. Most of my family was still back home. That of course led to the fear. Was I crazy for going? What if I failed? Also my dad was ill and in the hospital and I didn’t want to leave him. All of these feelings were calmed with a few words from my parents. My dad supported me leaving and my mom said she knew I could do it.

Now as I sit here 15 years later both my parents are gone. My dad died a week after I embarked on my journey away from the nest into the world. My mom was with me longer and passed just a few short years ago. My dad didn’t get to see the adult I became but I know he is smiling down on me from above. My mom was here with me through my many triumphs, failures and pains. They both helped shape me to be who I am today.

A lot has happened in 15 years. In high school before I graduated we made our predictions of where we would be in years to come. We had a talent show our senior year that depicted where we thought we would be. Some of my predictions came true. And a lot of them I never expected happened too. It all shaped me to be who I am today.

My thoughts of 15 years ago made me realize I've lost touch with my classmates. A few days ago I found our class website and plan on reconnecting with my old schoolmates. See where they are today. What they are doing and relive the old times.

My sister and I share an anniversary - it is her 25th this year. She mentioned that a lot of her classmates came and it was good to see them and catch up. With the anniversaries there are lots of activities to celebrate it. Both my sister and my class do some activities together. My sister has been regaling me with tales of what they have been doing. So far between my class and my sis there has been:

Old Skool Jamz
Representing the alumni class by attending this years Graduation ceremony
Movie Nights
7 day cruise
Community Service Project
Basketball Challenge (playing against our rival high school)
Karaoke
Bowling
Celebration Banquet
Beach Bash

And the list goes on and on. Sis is having fun. I'm sad I can't attend.

It’s amazing how it has been 15 years. Wow. I am still in shock it’s been that long. I made myself a promise I will reconnect with my classmates and make plans to attend the next milestone anniversary which would be the 20th anniversary.

How about you all? Have you attended any of your high school or college anniversaries activities and what was it like?

Friday, June 19, 2009

Satin Notes - New Chapter Posted

A new chapter has been posted on Satin Notes, the free read site. Go check out the new chapter of our current read at ~ http://www.satinnotes.com.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Friday, June 12, 2009

Satin Notes - New Chapter Posted

A new chapter has been posted on Satin Notes, the free read site. Go check out the new chapter of our current read at ~ http://www.satinnotes.com.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Satin Notes - New Chapter Posted

A new chapter has been posted on Satin Notes, the free read site. Go check out the new chapter of our current read at ~ http://www.satinnotes.com.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Snippet Saturday - Fight Scene - Physical

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Today’s snippet theme is Fight Scene - Physical. I love writing action scene. Enjoy a look at the fight scene from one of my books.

An snippet from Shadow Dance….

shadowdance2.jpgSighing again Yadira widened her stance. A crackle filled her and in each hand she felt the cold touch of metal. Bringing her arm forward she crossed her swords in front of her. She looked up at them and felt cold purpose fill her. They stopped and looked at her, shocked.

“Shit you didn’t say she was a Zuri Maji,” a male voice said.

Yadira could hear the fear in his voice. She looked out at them through glowing eyes, smiling as she saw first fear on their faces, then speculation. She saw their intent in their eyes a second before they rushed her. In a blur of motion she moved, taking out the first set that came at her. Knocking them back and across the cave with the dull side of her sword she heard them hit a wall, then silence. She wasn’t trying to kill them, just incapacitate them so she could leave. She would let the Rarities Incorporated protector agents deal with the clean up. She flashed her swords in a quick slicing motion making the three remaining men stumble back up from her. Yadira watched them.

One man sneered, “You missed.”

Smiling she replied, “I didn’t.”

Even as she said it their shirts fell off of them in tatters while their pants dropped to their ankles.

Looking down Yadira tsked. “Big egos and little penises.”

Fury washed over the faces of the men. Then they bulked up. Surprised, Yadira realized they were vamps. Having already pegged the others knocked out against the wall as shifters she wondered what they were doing together. A sound behind her made her turn. As she jumped back from the reaching claws she felt them nick her. She saw blood well and start to drip down the side of her now gaping vest and shirt. Furious, she looked back at the shifter who had snuck up on her. Sizing them up, she knew they would not be taken off guard so easily.

“Bring it,” Yadira growled.

“You shouldn’t turn you back on your adversaries.” With her head thrown back the woman laughed—an ugly sound that made her beautiful face go savage.

Twisting out of the way, Yadira eluded the arms of the vamps behind her. She used her powers, ran to the wall and ran up it until she rested with her feet planted on the ceiling. The attackers looked at her and they started to climb the walls. Yadira felt a strange sensation then tumbled from the ceiling. She tucked herself into a ball, spun and landed on her feet. With a silent swear Yadira knew she had to make quick work of them. She reached behind her back and touched the tattoo at the base of her spine, felt it heat and bringing her hand up she threw the Maji Stars at the men in quick succession. They each exploded in a rain of ash. With a twist she threw the last one at the woman coming up behind her. The woman shifted out of the way and it nicked her in the shoulder.

The woman look was furious as she wavered and then was gone. “We’ll meet again Maji.”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2007.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Shelley Munro
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SJ Day
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Juliana Stone
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