Between the Covers - More Than Temptation

Today's Between the Covers is an excerpt from my book.

Here is a excerpt from More Than Temptation (Singleton, Book # 3). Enjoy.

Bella waited until he did before she walked closer to the man. “Tasty Devil? I’ve never had it. What’s it taste like?”

“A devilish delight.” The man turned to her. “Strawberry and coconut heaven.”

“Hmmm… My favorite is the Angel Dream.” Bella opened her bag before she took out one of the wrapped candies then held it out. “Has coconut but not strawberry. It’s coconut with pecan, dipped in white chocolate. Tastes delicious.”

“Thank you.” The man took it. “I’ve never tried it. But I will.” He palmed it then held out his hand. “Morgan James.”

“Nice to meet you, Morgan.” Bella slid her hand into his.

Morgan held onto her hand and studied her. Bella didn’t try to get loose, instead waiting to see what he would do. She would be a willing participant in whatever he wanted.

“I have a good life. Nice, settled, and I don’t need any complications. And you have complication written all over you,” Morgan said.

“Really?” Bella glanced down at her orange T-shirt, black jeans and boots then back at him. She chuckled then smiled widely. “I don’t see it, but maybe you can see with your super sight. Well, Mr Morgan James, if you ever decide that you want to get to know complicated ole me, look me up at the supper club I work at.” She stroked her finger along the back of his then slowly disentangled from him. “Nice meeting you.”

She pivoted then walked away.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2014.
All Rights Reserved.

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Happy Thanksgiving 2015!

Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing everyone who celebrates it lots of fun, eats and moments to remember! For those who don’t celebrate it – I hope you have a wonderful Thursday.

Enjoy time with your friends and family!!

Stronger Than Yesterday – Times Three

Earlier this month I had an epiphany if you will of something that has been bothering me for a while. This epiphany when it came was such a relief it was if my soul had come together. All three parts of me were now in alignment.

When they did I knew what I had to do. Make an announcement of who I am. Let people know the parts that make me who I am. :) First I reached out to a few people who are friends to let them know the truth about me. I have many friends I wasn’t able to tell directly and like many of you they are reading this post. For that I’m sorry that it couldn’t be a more personal one on one but I need to get this done.

The below that I am sharing with you is hard for me. For people who know me they know I’m a private person and although I do share things about my many ups and downs in my personal life I’m vague and not as detailed as I could be since there is so much more. I keep these things close and only tell close friends and family (sometimes I don’t even tell them. I hate people worrying about me so I keep it and deal with stuff).

Now for the reveal. I currently write under three pen names. Let me introduce you to my threesome. I’m going to do this one by one and also include blog posts that defined me on my journey to three.

First is McKenna Jeffries – she is my sensual, sassy pen name. She is the misbehavior maker. :) She was also my first pseudonym and writes books that feature male/female characters. A little about her. She has been writing longer than all the other names. She has been writing and working her craft. Had opportunities and ups and downs. It took a brush with almost dying that made her take the jump to actually finish her first book. She completed her first book and shared her triumph of that as well as others with her biggest supported her Mom. She also had more books that didn’t fit with what she was writing at the time so she decided on a 2nd pen name. But back in 2005 she had many things happen. She became, along with her other name, more active in the writing world (got a blog and so on). But that year was a hard year with the most devastating moment being the loss of her mother. This put her in crisis with her writing and she was tempted to walk away from it all. But then the 2nd pen name became vocal. And it wasn’t until a little before this post that I finally let her loose.

http://mckennajeffries.com/blog/2005/12/12/the-scent-of-mama%e2%80%99s-cooking

When McKenna wrote this she was ready to continue that journey her Mom had seen her start. So she took the chance and let her next pen name free on the world with a submission of her work which was accepted.

My second is Taige Crenshaw – she is my sizzling, sassy and adventurous pen name. She is the mayhem maker. :) She writes books that feature male/female characters. She had her up and downs too and she too along with McKenna had other moments of triumph and personal struggle. One of which gave her and McKenna the push to take the leap and decide to get a 3rd pen name. That 3rd name came because of the moment I had when I wrote this blog.

http://taigecrenshaw.com/blog/2007/02/03/stronger-than-yesterday/

But just because I decided to take a leap I didn’t get to right away. I had more to face first. More personal things. Those I spoke of here.

http://taigecrenshaw.com/blog/2010/01/22/the-road-traveled/

Then I took the leap.

My third is Talia Carmichael – she fills the craving and has spice, laughter and loads of fun with that pen name. She is the mischief maker. :) When I choose this one I also wanted to honor my mother so for Talia I gave her my Mom’s birth date. So each year when I get the birthday wishes I kiss my fingers and raise them to the sky and tell my Mom they are for her. When I completed my first McKenna book my Mom told me before she passed away “I can’t read what you write because it is to risqué for me but you write it baby and write it well. Don’t let anyone stop you. Follow your journey.” Talia writes books that feature male/male characters. She too along with her other 2 partner have had many up and downs over the years. This I spoke of here.

http://taliacarmichael.com/blog/2015/10/25/journey-to-better

So this is my three. Hi my name is McKenna Jeffries, Taige Crenshaw, and Talia Carmichael. Nice to finally show you all three of me.

I choose to have three pen names for many reasons but one of the main ones is.…expectations. I didn’t want a reader to have an expectation of what a book would be by knowing all the sides that are me. So at the time I choose the pen name I didn’t let people except for some close friends know they were all the same. I wanted each to take words my Mom told me all those years ago “Follow your journey.” Each name has their own writing journey since I kept them separate and they have in my humble opinion done well. Written books they are proud off. When someone picks up a book by any of my names they know what they are getting. Every time I write a book it is for my Mom. She was one of my biggest supporters and because of her I continue this journey.

There is one common theme in my books no matter the name I write under. Family whether by blood or choice is important. They are what makes us and will be by your side no matter what. This was taught to me by my own upbringing.

I made this announcement for the reasons of my epiphany and also because I want to be able to meet readers under each name. I do go to conferences usually as Taige (told you she was adventurous although she tends to go to the corner often because she is shy and feels like a total geek talking about her books). Although I’m making this announcement, I don’t have a plan to “officially” link the names. Well McKenna and Taige sometime write together. Which is interesting and works. :) Yeah each of my three names are very distinct in my head when I sit down to write a book so I know whose voice I’m in when I’m writing. :) . I still will keep the names separate to an extent. They all have their own website, newsletter lists, facebook, facebook groups, twitter and so on. Yeah I do all three. LOL. So if you read any of my books just find me at those places based on the different pen names. :)

The timing of this with what is going on in the writing world isn’t ideal but I already made the decision to do so went ahead instead of waiting. Thank you so much for your support over the years.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I also put this on facebook so those who don't come to my blog can also read it.

Love always,
McKenna/Taige/Talia

Teasers - Deadlines

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. ~ Douglas Adams

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Between the Covers - Devi

Today's Between the Covers is an excerpt from my book.

Here is a few lines from Devi (Kemet Uncovered, Book # 2). Enjoy.

The following afternoon, Devi lay in her hammock, enjoying the idyllic day. Her doorbell chimed and she sighed, reluctant to get up.

“It’s open,” she called out.

The familiar masculine scent that had surrounded Rhodes told her who it was before he’d even made it through the house. Turning her head, she watched him step out onto the patio.

“Kind of dangerous, don’t you think, just inviting people in without knowing who it is?” he asked, giving her a disapproving look before putting a bouquet of flowers on the table.

She almost laughed at that, but smothered it. He was concerned about her. How cute.

Today, Rhodes wore khaki slacks and a dark blue polo-necked shirt. Licking her lips, she swung her legs over and got up from the comfort of her hammock. He glanced at her and swallowed. Hard.

She knew it was her outfit. Cream-coloured gauze woven with gold threads made up her halter-top dress with its deep V-neck. Although the material reached the floor, slits in the skirt ran up to the tops of her thighs. With each step she took, one leg flashed through. And she knew it looked good on her—hell, it had been made just for her.

“Cat got your tongue, Rhodes?”

His forehead had a sheen of sweat on it.

“No. That’s… It’s… Damn.”

“I take it that’s a good thing,” she said with an assured smile.

“Oh, yeah,” he rumbled. He flexed his fingers like he wanted to grab her.

“Thank you.”

He had to tear his gaze away from her nearly exposed chest. “What for?”

“The flowers. They’re beautiful.”

He acted as if he’d forgotten he’d even brought them. “You’re welcome,” he muttered, his gaze on her.

“Something I can do for you, Rhodes?”

“I came to ask you to dinner.” His voice still not as smooth as it had been.

“You didn’t call.”

“I wanted to see you.” His eyes burnt feverishly. “Luckily, I’m a resourceful man—you didn’t give me much to go on.”

“You are that. I knew you’d find me if you wished to see me.”

Warmth surrounded her at his admission. “I’ll go get changed.” She moved past him and headed towards the sliding door, then paused and glanced back over her left shoulder. “A little help?”

He approached and stood behind her. His size made her feel dainty and protected. Without a word, she moved her hair out of the way. Her skin tingled from the light brush of his fingertips as he undid the bow holding up her dress.

“There you go,” he whispered in her ear, his breath teasing her skin.

“Be right back.”

She let go of her hair and it swung back into place, covering her to the small of her back. He gasped as she left him there, in between indoors and out. Alone except for her dress, which had pooled at his feet.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw and Aliyah Burke, 2012.
All Rights Reserved.

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Teasers - Lemon & Vodka

I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party. ~ Ron White

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Between the Covers – Power of Instinct

Today's Between the Covers is an excerpt from my book.

Here is a excerpt from Power of Instinct (Blackstone Haven, Book # 2). Enjoy.

“Ian!” she screamed.

“No need to shout. I’m in here.” Ian’s voice came from her living room.

“What is Einstein doing with McGee and Reid? Heck, what is your whole animal farm doing with them? You—” Sinai stepped into the living room, then stopped.

She walked over and examined the big screen TV that took up the whole wall between her two bay windows. There was a lot of space between them, meaning that was a whole lot of TV. She had heard tales of Ian’s TV from her various family members and friends who went to his house to watch games or a movie. Sinai took a breath, trying to be calm.

“What’s going on?” she asked slowly as she turned to Ian.

He was leaning back on her couch, his arms behind his head and his crossed legs extended before him. Her gaze dropped, taking in how his jeans cupped his cock and encased his legs. Heat flooded her. She shifted.

“Since I’m moving in until after your birthday, I’ll need my things.”

Sinai blinked, sure she had heard him wrong. She shook her head. Ian nodded, a smug smile on his face.

“Hell, no!” Sinai roared.

She smacked away the soap. Ian’s hand flashed up, and he caught it. He stood in a lazy motion then walked in a loose-legged gait. Sinai’s heart started to race. She felt as if she was being stalked. She stood her ground as Ian walked right up to her.

He leant down and said softly, “Don’t test me, Nai.”

“You’re not moving in here. It’s not necessary,” she insisted.

Ian’s eyes dilated, then he said in a low tone, “Are you challenging me?”

Sinai raised her head. “On this I am.”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2011.
All Rights Reserved.

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Teasers - Hardwork

Work hard for what you want because it won't come to you without a fight. You have to be strong and courageous and know that you can do anything you put your mind to. If somebody puts you down or criticizes you, just keep on believing in yourself and turn it into something positive. ~ Leah LaBelle

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Finding me around the web....

In addition to here on my blog or on my website, if you want to find me around the web you can check me out at:

Facebook Page

Twitter @TaigeCrenshaw

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Ink Motions with Olivia Night

Olivia Night, a fictional character herself, has always been an avid reader and writer. She found the romance genre in college and has never been able to get enough. One sleepless night, the main characters of Book One in her Seduction series sprang from her head fully formed. They demanded she tell their story; so she did. As they revealed themselves, so did two other intriguing characters. Those characters convinced her to give them their own books because their stories were worth telling too. And so Olivia suddenly became a romance author. When Olivia is not writing, she has the best job in the world, which, too, will remain a secret. In her free time, she reads, write, runs, or is, most likely, out emulating Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Olivia lives in one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the U.S.—Baltimore. She lives with her cat, which she is convinced was a gladiator in his past life. Olivia plans to continue being awesome at this thing called life. Really, that’s her only goal.

Ink Motions - Interview

How do you get an idea for your novel?

The idea and characters for my first book quite literally popped into my head one night when I couldn’t sleep. As I wrote the book two other characters came forward and I began to write their stories down.

The idea for my second series, book one, came to me while I was cleaning and listening to Billy Joel’s And So It Goes. The song is incredibly sad and it made me ponder real loss and how painful that is. The characters who had experienced this kind of loss came to me and I sat down immediately and wrote down as much as I could. As I wrote those first thirty pages three others ladies with loss in their past came forward and they will have books too.

What is your writing style? Do you just sit down and write or do you create.

Typically, the ideas just come to me. After I think over things for a day or two I will sit down and outline the story. Sometimes I leave things blank and come back to it later. But for the most part I can outline the whole book in one sitting.
How many novels have you written including all work in progresses you are currently working on?

I have one published, Seduction in Sierra Leone, one that will be published this winter, Seduction in Seville and I am currently writing the third and finale installment in the series, Seduction in Scotland. I am also working on a new series and have written about five chapters in the first book and have outlined the three other books in that series as well.

What is you favorite plot line type?
Suspense of course!

Is there any advice you can offer to anyone who would like to write?

Don’t give up! Keep writing!

What is a good villain?

Someone that brings out emotion in the reader. This can be fear, frustration, anger and even sympathy.

 



An excerpt
Together, they watched the truck, a far better model than either had seen in their time here, tip and tilt as four men emerged. Aislinn couldn’t see any of them very well, though she could tell they were all very large, muscular men, all in different ways. One was short and squat, and one was short and lean and looked as though he really needed to eat. The other two were tall. Those two were muscular and looked more dangerous than the others. Perhaps it was the serious look on their faces, as if they had never smiled. But one was more muscular than the others. He was the tallest in the group. And he was really, really easy on the eyes. And as if he sensed her watching him—okay, staring—he turned his head and looked directly over at her.
His face was blank, his eyes unblinking. He looked across the short distance at Aislinn, apparently not even noticing that Geoff was standing in front of her. From the distance between them, his eyes seemed to be charcoal gray, a color she had never seen on a person. Animals yes, people no. His skin was tanned, and there was a slight sheen of sweat, giving him a sort of healthy glow. His dark black hair was cut short, but not in a military fashion that had that silly flat surface at the top. No, there was just enough to run her fingers through. His legs were huge, like tree trunks that made their way up to a tapered and slim waist. His chest flared back out to meet his thick neck. Veins stood out on his arms as he picked a bag up from inside the car, all the while staring at her. She fixed her eyes shamelessly at his full lips that were a dark pink, a color you normally didn’t see on a man. His nose had been broken before, judging by the uneven placement on his face. The rest of his face was perfect. Perfect angles, perfect mouth, perfect eyes.
She came back to his eyes and realized she had just, very slowly, given this stranger a full-body perusal. He didn’t offer a nod, or any other type of greeting; he just kept looking at her. She felt herself blush. And then, suddenly, he turned. Brima, the town elder, was approaching the men—quickly for an old man—with a broad smile on his face. Brima rubbed the man’s chin, a traditional Mende greeting, and, as was customary, the man did not return the gesture as a symbol of acquiescence to the elder. Then they both smiled and shook hands. The muted tones of their conversation drifted over to her as they walked to the elder’s home farther up the path, leading away from the road.

Website: www.Olivianightauthor.wordpress.com
Twitter: @olivianightread
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivianightauthor

Buy Links:

LSB

http://www.lsbooks.com/seduction-in-sierra-leone-p1043.php

Kobo

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/seduction-in-sierra-leone

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seduction-in-sierra-leone-olivia-night/1122341426?ean=9781622102426

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Seduction-Sierra-Leone-Men-Book-ebook/dp/B011J74H74/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1439751209&sr=8-14&keywords=Olivia+Night

ibooks

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/seduction-in-sierra-leone/id1020494392?mt=11