Teasers - Doing

A non-doer is very often a critic-that is, someone who sits back and watches doers, and then waxes philosophically about how the doers are doing. It's easy to be a critic, but being a doer requires effort, risk, and change. ~ Dr. Wayne W. Dyer


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Ink Motions

Starting August 5th. I will be starting another feature here on my blog.

Ink Motions

In this is a feature there will be various authors who will come by to guest on my blog. The guest posts will be once a week on Monday's.

When an author comes to visit their post for this feature can be any one of the following:

~ An Interview

~ A guest blog

Ink Motions will post every Monday. The 1st Ink Motions will post August 5, 2013. Be sure to check back next week for the 1st and then each week for Ink Motions.

Read all Ink Motions here

Snippet Saturday - Author's Choice

Today’s snippet theme is Author's Choice. Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Body Cravings…

Jacques pulled back and put his forehead against hers. “Want to play hooky?” He said it in a singsong voice.

“Let me get my bag,” Amara replied in the same tone.

She got her bag and coat. Jacques helped her into it. He pulled her hair from below the collar, trailing his finger from the edge of her hairline down until the coat stopped him.

Moaning, Amara asked, “What did my sister say to you?” Amara groaned as he kissed the top of her head. She viewed him expectantly.

“She threatened to unman me if I hurt you.” Jacques chuckled.

Amara glanced at the door, then back at him. “What’s funny about that?”

Jacques made a rude noise. “The idea she could do such a thing.”

Amara reached down and put her hand inside his jacket, stroking his cock through his slacks. Jacques’ eyes heated. She leaned against him and kissed him thoroughly.

Pulling away, she raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t underestimate my sister if I were you. But you don’t have to worry about her.” She released him and walked away.

“Why?”

Amara looked at him over her shoulder. “If you hurt me, the pleasure of unmanning you will be all mine.”

Jacques mouth fell open in shock before amusement filled his gaze. He walked over to her and put his hand around her waist. “You don’t have to worry about that. I won’t hurt you.” He kissed her briefly before leading her out the door.

Fifteen minutes later, Amara stood in front of the store at 18 Lauioe Square and studied the display. She glared playfully at Jacques. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. I’ve lived in this area, been in this area many times and never seen this place. How the heck did you find out about it?”

“A friend.” Jacques pulled her toward the door.

Standing her ground, she asked. “What friend?” Amara winced as she heard the jealousy in her tone.

Jacques was amused. He kissed her on the nose. “No need to be jealous.” He pulled her into him and kissed her thoroughly before drawing back to met her gaze. “Although I like you being possessive, it was a male friend. He said they had some beautiful pieces.”

Amara glanced past him at the window again. The female mannequin was draped in a see-through, short magenta camisole and tap pants. There was fine gold embroidery detailing on the outfit, making it shimmer and tantalize. It aptly went with Tantalize, the name of the store that was in discreet gold script. Usually she bought her lingerie from Unveiled—a bigger store that had some beautiful things as well—as it wasn’t too far from where her offices were on Caspain Avenue. Unveiled had various in-house designers who made what they sold. You could get custom pieces or buy off the rack.

She focused back on him. “I’ve heard of them and always meant to check them out but never found the time. If I’d known they were so close to my house I would have been here sooner.” Amara rubbed her hands together as she stared back at the window of Tantalize. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

She laced fingers with his, pulling him into the store. Amara stopped inside the doorway, taking in the plush chairs and wide array of lingerie. From what she had heard of Tantalize, they had an in-house designer who made everything. All the pieces were unique and the quality was superb. With brisk steps, she walked over to a floor-length peignoir. Amara touched the fine silk. She loved sexy things.

Jacques’ voice came from behind her. “You would be sexy in that.”

She smiled seductively. “So would you.”

Jacques laughed. Amara picked it up in burnt orange and continued to look around. Jacques took it and, as she picked up more things, she handed them to him. He followed behind her patiently. When she asked him his opinion, he nodded or shook his head.

Amara reached for another piece, turning to hand it to him. When she saw the pile of things in his hands, she grinned sheepishly. “Umm … sorry.”

Jacques laughed. “I love to see you shop. Don’t you want anything else?”

Amara stared longingly at the two-piece pajama set across the room. She shook her head. “No. Let’s check out and go.” She put her hand around his waist, walking with him to the front of the store. “Thanks for being so patient.”

Jacques gazed at her, his expression sizzling. “My pleasure.”

Amara laughed. “Most men would have run screaming by now.”

Jacques dumped the items on the counter. He put his hands around her waist. “I’m not most men.”

He kissed her softly. Amara shifted and glanced at the man behind the counter.

Reaching into her bag for her purse, she was stopped by Jacques’ hand on her arm. She looked up at him. He was handing the man a credit card.

“Jacques—” she started to protest, but he put his finger over her lips.

“Shh… I’m paying. Now say, thank you, Jacques.”

She glared at him. He leaned down and she snapped her teeth at him. He jerked back, laughing. His other arm came up to encircle her. “Now is that any way to say thank you?”

Amara chuckled. “I’ll thank you later.”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2008.
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.
Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Lauren Dane
Shelli Stevens
Leah Braemel
Jody Wallace
Caris Roane
Eliza Gayle
Lissa Matthews
Mandy M. Roth
McKenna Jeffries
Shiloh Walker
Taige Crenshaw
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels
Myla Jackson
Felicity Heaton
Mari Carr

Between the Covers - Power of Attraction

Today's Between the Covers is a few lines from my book.

Here is a few lines from Power of Attraction (Blackstone Haven, Book # 1). Enjoy.

Shocked emerald green eyes stared at him. His heart skipped a beat.

Wesley hungrily took in the woman from the forest. She was real. He wasn’t losing his mind. Unconsciously, he took a step towards her. She backed up a step.

Fury filled him. She had run from him once, and she wasn’t doing it again. With a determined stride, he closed the space between them and grabbed her arm. She tried to shrug him off. He changed his grip and yanked her against his body. A shudder racked him as their bodies touched. The scent of cinnamon and vanilla he had thought he imagined cloyed around them. He felt her shiver in reaction. Her eyes heated then went cool.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2011.
All Rights Reserved, Total E Bound.

Buy here

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Excerpt from Collision Force by C.A. Szarek

Collision Force
by C.A. Szarek

Blurb:

Book one in the Crossing Forces series

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 



Excerpt:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Check out C.A. Szarek's site.

Contest: C.A. Szarek is giving away an ebook copy of Collision Forcel to one random commenter. Please include your email address and leave a comment below to be entered. 

Teasers - Time

Remember, you can earn more money, but when time is spent is gone forever. ~ Zig Ziglar


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Snippet Saturday - Boys of Summer

Today’s snippet theme is Boys of Summer. Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Dark Callings…

"Only to you. We all trust you, Lennox." Harmony's tone was gentle.

"Then you all are fools," he said coolly.

"Don't get snappish at me." Harmony's reply was mild.

"I did no such thing."

"You didn't raise your voice, but I know the levels of that cool tone you use on people-”the one that clearly gives away your moods. That was a snap. Don't do it again." There was a clear warning in her voice.

Lennox frowned. That she knew him so well surprised and ticked him off. He didn't appreciate Harmony being so insightful.

"Stop using your abilities on me," he countered with a warning of his own.

"There we go. Even colder than before. I don't need to use my seer abilities or empathy on you. You've been a disagreeable ass since you came back from Shadow World. I've been researching your world, but can't find much. It's really fascinating your race is so old and so mysterious. Did you decide about being the second to the king? There's a training session in a few minutes, but no matter. You're probably going to hole yourself up in your office, as you have these last few days. You really need to stop being so antisocial- it isn't good for your health. Maybe I should take you to Medical to check your blood pressure or something."

"You are giving me a headache." Lennox sighed long and loud.

"You should be used to my change of topics in mid-conversation by now." Harmony's full lips curled in a wider smile.

"I am. But I still have a headache."

The wicked gleam in her gaze and her smug grin made realisation dawn.

"You do it for spite."

"Of course. It's entertaining, watching that vein right there tick. There it goes now." Harmony pointed.

Lennox glared.

"Loosen up. Answer my question."

"No. I haven't decided."

"That's not the question I was referring to."

" I'm not going to Medical," Lennox said firmly.

Harmony chuckled. "That wasn't a question, but a promise that if you don't get your head out of your butt, I'm taking drastic measures."

He ignored her statement, "You didn't ask anything else."

Harmony retorted, "You didn’t listen."

Lennox rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Ask again," he said patiently.

"The 'Harmony, you are trying my patience tone' is my favourite," Harmony said cheerfully.

"Ask," Lennox repeated.

"You're no fun. I was waiting for the exasperated tone."

"Harmony," he growled.

"And there it is."

Lennox stared, waiting for the question. Harmony's brow was furrowed. Her full nose wrinkled, and the dimples bracketing her mouth were plainly visible. Just as she could read him, he could read her. The expression was her 'let's see how far can we push Lennox' one.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2013.
All Rights Reserved, Total E Bound.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Lauren Dane
Shelli Stevens
Leah Braemel
Jody Wallace
Caris Roane
Eliza Gayle
Lissa Matthews
Mandy M. Roth
McKenna Jeffries
Shiloh Walker
Taige Crenshaw
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels
Myla Jackson
Felicity Heaton

Between the Covers - Hurricane

Today's Between the Covers is a few lines from my book.

Here is a few lines from Hurricane (Singleton, Book # 1). Enjoy.

Julianne wrenched open the door, gesturing for him to leave. Keenan took her silent urging and passed her. Julianne followed. He turned suddenly, crowding her. Gasping, she stepped back instinctively before she caught herself and stood her ground. Scowling, Julianne glared at him.

“I unsettle you.” His grin was smug.

“You startled me,” she retorted.

“Deny it all you want, but you’re intrigued by what there might be between us. I’m a patient man. I can wait until you come around. You have my number. Call me when you change your mind.” Keenan shrugged, turning, then strode away.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2012.
All Rights Reserved, Total E Bound.

Buy here

More about Between the Covers

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Blogging at Hitting the Hot Spot

Blogging for my monthly blog day at Hitting the Hot Spot – Total E Bound. Check me out here.

Family Fun…

I’m loving July! It's been a hot and humid summer but I'm still enjoying it. My big sister and nephew are here for their yearly visit. We are having a blast doing so many things. We've been having a fun filled summer of family, laughs and mischief. LOL.

Some of the highlights of what we have been up too.

My big sister is an avid reader like I am and we’ve been reading then discussing our thoughts on the books we have read. It has been fun doing it in person. :) My nephew just watches us when we are laughing like loons and shakes his head. LOL.

We’ve been having movie nights at home and we each get to pick a movie. My nephew and I ganged up on my big sister and picked all action. LOL.

Also been going to see all the great summer movies that have come out in the theaters then going out for a meal after. Loads of laugh and good food. :)

And there has been the cooking at home. We both love to cook and have been having fun cooking. I’m also the baker in the family (my big sister isn’t into baking as much as I am). I’ve been making some of my favorite recipes and trying out some new ones.

Well that is it for now about our family fun.

Teasers - Attitude

It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect it's successful outcome. ~ William James


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July 2013 – Newsletter

My July 2013 newsletter was sent out. If you’re not a subscriber of my newsletter go sign up here. In my newsletter there will updates, info on new releases, and other things. Also there will be occasional exclusive contest just for the newsletter subscribers.

Sign up for Newsletter

Snippet Saturday – Belong to the City

Today’s snippet theme is Belong to the City (Big City). Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Hurricane…

“No. Just wanted to know more about you.”

Julianne controlled her expression, not wanting him to see her shock. Keenan’s smile, that same damn affable one, made her know that he was aware he’d unsettled her. She didn’t like it one bit. His hands rested on the table. Her mind flashed, imagining his fingers on her skin. Julianne stiffened.

“Well, now you know a bit. I would offer you a tour of the place, but I really need to get to work.” Julianne stood.

She gasped as Keenan moved to hold out her chair for her. For such a big man, he was fast.

“Thanks. Let me see you out.” She strode towards the door and reached to open it.

His hand on her arm stopped her. Julianne held in the shudder at his touch. She closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them she’d blanked her face into the business persona she used with a difficult client. It kept them at bay and offered her a shield of control. She glanced at him with a cool look. “Is there something further?”

“Trying to put up a barrier against me won’t work.”

“I don’t have any idea what you mean.” The lie rolled off her tongue easily.

Internally, she cursed. She was usually blunt and able to handle things.

“You do. It was the same reason that I was so rude at the hospital when I spoke with you. There’s a spark between us, Julianne.” Keenan’s smile was gentle and his look knowing. The sound of her first name in his sexy voice was almost her undoing. Julianne refused to let him affect her—she pulled her arm away from his. Keenan stroked her skin before her released her.

“All we have is business. And, since that’s done, we have nothing further to say,” she replied.

“We had business. I didn’t want to pursue anything while I was doing my investigation. Now that it’s complete, there’s a lot for us to discuss. I want to get to know you better, Julianne. Have dinner with me?” Keenan’s light green gaze was intent.

“I don’t date,” she said, firmly.

“Why?” he fired back.

Julianne gritted her teeth. It figured he would push the issue and question her. “None of your business. Even if I did date, I don’t like aggressive men.”

“That’s good to know, since I’m not aggressive.” Keenan grinned affably.

“Could have fooled me,” Julianne muttered.

“I do go after what I want,” he said softly.

Julianne was caught by the look in his eyes. It was tender and possessive. She clenched her fist. He had no right to have such an expression. They didn’t know each other.

But you want to, her inner voice goaded.

No, I don’t, she countered.

Keep lying to yourself. You want to go out with him, the infernal voice said.

No, I do not. He’s already driving me to talk to myself. I don’t need the hassle, she told herself firmly.

Julianne wrenched open the door, gesturing for him to leave. Keenan took her silent urging and passed her. Julianne followed. He turned suddenly, crowding her. Gasping, she stepped back instinctively before she caught herself and stood her ground. Scowling, Julianne glared at him.

“I unsettle you.” His grin was smug.

“You startled me,” she retorted.

“Deny it all you want, but you’re intrigued by what there might be between us. I’m a patient man. I can wait until you come around. You have my number. Call me when you change your mind.” Keenan shrugged, turning, then strode away.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2012.
All Rights Reserved, Total E Bound.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Lauren Dane
Shelli Stevens
Leah Braemel
Jody Wallace
Caris Roane
Eliza Gayle
Lissa Matthews
Mandy M. Roth
McKenna Jeffries
Shiloh Walker
Taige Crenshaw
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels
Myla Jackson

Contracted: Perfect Fit (Singleton #2), cover art and blurb

Perfect Fit (Singleton, Book # 2) has been contracted by Total-E-Bound and will be released on November 8, 2013. It goes up for pre-order on September 27, 2013. I also have the cover art and blurb. I love the cover!

Here is the blurb:

Perfect Fit
By: Taige Crenshaw
Total-E-Bound
Coming November 8, 2013
Series: Singleton, Book # 2
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel
Format: E-Book

When your love for someone is tested, how do you get beyond the silence and pain to get back to what made you become an us…

Regina Jacobs, after a busy day, gets home to the empty house she used to share with her husband. The sight of the divorce papers waiting for her devastates her. She loves her husband, and although they have not lived together for a while, or really talked, she thought they could work it out. She pushes off the hurt and embraces the fury. She would not give up her ‘us’ without a fight. Determined to reclaim the man who she has known was hers from the time she was a teenager, Regina seeks out her husband—the man who knows her heart, soul, and body, lighting each equally aflame.

Spencer Jacobs knows he is doing the right thing, taking the step of filing for divorce. It is painful, but he knows it is necessary. He loves Regina, but sometimes love is not enough. When Regina comes to him after receiving the papers, Spencer doesn’t know what to make of her words that he was giving up so easily on them. He’s fought already for them, but is bruised and battered from the loss of the woman who makes him forget all else but being hers. It will take everything he has to return, and this time he knows failure means the end.

Can two people who have let the silence between them linger too long find each other again? It’s going to take opening wounds that led to the silence and getting back to their basic belief in each other, to rebuilding what has been broken. For these two, there is no one else that matches them. Together, they are the other half to a .…Perfect Fit.

~~~~
Yay! Very excited about my upcoming release. I’m working on other books in all my series and hope to have more news soon.

Hope you all are having a great Friday!

Blogging at Romance Studio

I’m blogging at Romance Studio. Check me out here.

Snippet Saturday – Life in a Northern Town

Today’s snippet theme is Life in a Northern Town (Small Town). Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Veils Rising…

Since they had emerged from the house today, she and Magni had spent the day combing, as the locals called it, “country” areas of St. Thomas. They had gone all around the Smith Bay area then ended their search at Magens Bay Beach before heading back here to Savan. After checking the places over again and still finding nothing, Magni had suggested they get a drink before they continued their search. She hadn’t wanted to stop. Something was pulling at her, just at the edge of her senses. She couldn’t get a clear feeling of what it was. She had grudgingly agreed and now the way that certain patrons of the bar were acting was making her regret it.

Narrowing her gaze, she watched over Magni’s shoulder as another woman moved closer to their table. With a glance around the room, she took in the various women in the bar who had moved closer, all their attention on ogling Magni. An hour ago when they first walked in, she had thought they stared because Magni was, after all, a handsome man but their continued looks were pissing her off. If they kept at it she would be having a conversation with a few of them. Magni was with her.

Dilana knew she was jealous and hated it. She had never had this feeling before. Another woman by the bar took up her drink and came to a table right across from them. She looked like she was imagining Magni naked. Dilana gave the woman who had just moved closer a hot glare, and the woman didn’t even glance at her. The woman’s attention was focused on Magni. Sucking her teeth, Dilana looked at Magni.

The arrogant smile on his face made her even angrier.

“What?” She could hear her tone was belligerent.

Magni chuckled. “Bien-aimé, the look on your face would make you end up in jail.”

Her lips twitched in response to his chuckle. A thump made her look around. A woman was picking herself up off the floor. Confused at how she ended up on the floor, Dilana watched her, then glanced back at Magni. He was looking at the lady, then he turned to look at her and grinned.

“That happens a lot,” he said, gesturing to the woman.

Watching the woman, then looking back at him, Dilana snorted. “Yeah, right.”

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:
Lauren Dane
Shelli Stevens
Leah Braemel
Jody Wallace
Caris Roane
Eliza Gayle
Lissa Matthews
Mandy M. Roth
McKenna Jeffries
Shiloh Walker
Taige Crenshaw
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels
Myla Jackson