This blog is for those 18 and older.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Shana Gray with MORE THAN A FLING and a Gveaway!



Aloha! I’m back visiting Lexi here today – I do love visiting her too :) – thanks for having me again Lexi.

December 1 is a really big day. Did I say REALLY BIG? It is! Why? Because it’s release day for my first ever, physical book in hand book. Normally I like to chat about all kinds of things in a blog post. But this time my mind is completely focused on The Book.

Can you tell I’m excited about it? I’ve already scoured the book stores around my house and found it in most of them.  It’s a crappy selfie, but hey, it’s me and my book! In the store!

And, if you get a chance, I’m having a Facebook party on December 2 in the Hawaiian Islands that you are all invited too. Click HERE to see all the great authors coming to the luau for mai tai’s. There’s lots of prizes too!

Firstly, The Book is A Taste of Paradise where I was honoured to be paired with Leslie Kelly in a Harlequin Blaze with our two smoking hot, Unrated! novellas. My story is More Than A Fling and it’s set in Hawaii. Our cover is awesome!

Don’t you think so?  I do
Here’s an excerpt from my story.
     She felt her way through the darkened cabin to the lavatory -- perfect timing for the plane to hit a pocket of turbulence. Lana lost her footing, didn't see the door open and catapulted headlong into the person coming out. Not just any person, but a mountain of a man. She reached out to steady herself, her fingers closing around some very impressive, muscled shoulders. Arms snaked around her like steel bands, holding her tighter than she'd ever been held before. Lana gasped. 
     He smelled so damn good, too. She blinked and looked up -- way up. This man was huge, built, broad, tanned, blond...Viking blond with brown eyes that reminded her of chocolate syrup. Sticky, sweet, sinfully delightful. She swallowed when her heart tripped over itself, and she felt her panties growing moist. This is what she got for being celibate for so long. 
     “My apologies.”
     Gawd help me! He’s got an accent.
     Lana loved the South African cadence, and his was just as thick and sweet as the desire sweeping through her.
     “No, it was my fault. I wasn’t paying attention.”
     “That little bump in the road was somewhat of a surprise as well, ya.”
     Keep talking.
     “Uh, yes. Yes, it was.” The words dried up in her mouth when he pivoted her into the small area between the lavatory doors. He held her firmly and a little too closely, but Lana wasn’t going to argue. What were the odds in life a girl would be this close to such a fine specimen of a man? Nevah!  She would enjoy every second of this encounter. Oh, yes.
     The plane lurched again, throwing her against him. Now breast to chest, hips to hips, thighs to thighs, Lana felt every nuance of him. She curled her arms around his neck and hung on as the jet bounced through the night sky. Mr. Viking didn’t pull away—she could have sworn she felt his arms tighten a bit more around her.
     Sweet.
     The jet’s path smoothed out, and Lana began to feel foolish in his arms. The right thing to do would be to step away. Step away from the man. Away from the gorgeous hunk of maleness that made her want to drag him into the lavatory behind them.
      Lana opened her eyes. The sign on the lavatory door was right in front of her caught her attention. Vacant. All she had to do was open said door and push Mr. Viking inside, inviting them both into the Mile High Club. She swung her gaze to him and her heart flipped. He was watching her with an intensity that made her tremble. Was he thinking the same thing?
     Reluctantly Lana stepped from the captivating heat of his embrace. The lingering aura of his power didn’t dwindle with the distance.
     “Can I escort you to your seat?”
      Oh, a gentleman, too.
     “Well, actually…I need to…” Lana nodded to the lavatory door and nearly died when her cheeks heated.
      He laughed and her knees wobbled. Good God, he was getting under her skin.
     “Of course.” His voice was low and he bowed his head before murmuring, “If you care to join me after, I’ll order us a nightcap whilst you’re engaged.”
     Whilst? He certainly was proper. Lana tipped her head back to gaze at him, knowing she couldn’t say no. “Yes, please. That would be delightful.”
     Delightful? Holy shit, when had she become Ms. Formal? Lana fled into the lavatory before she could make a further ass of herself. 

Leslie’s story is also set in a tropical location. Perfect for this time of year as winter descends on us. As well as Christmas! I can’t think about that right now. It’s release day soon!

*** FLASH GIVEAWAY*** Comment below and tell me your favourite place to vacation, have you been to Hawaii? AND sign up for my newsletter HERE for a chance to win a signed copy of A Taste of Paradise (North American winners only) and your pick of a back list of one of my ebooks (international winners). I’d be thrilled if you liked my Author Page too!

I’m a tropical girl all the way around. So for a tropical tease, this is when I visited Lexi last year in St. Croix. I loved it there and had such a fabulous time with her and her lovely husband.

My links
Website  -has all my books and links listed
***COMING SOON***
March 29, 2016
From Loveswept Random House
Shana Gray’s provocative novel features a resilient fighter going round for tantalizing round with the one that got away—a headstrong woman bent on seduction.
 
Pepper Chapman refuses to throw in the towel. Six months ago, she made the biggest mistake of her life. Blinded by grief after her mom’s death, Pepper abandoned the man she loves. Now she wants a second chance at everything she gave up: strong hands driving her to ecstasy . . . a deep voice whispering naughty promises in her ear . . . the future they’d planned since they were teenagers. So Pepper comes home looking for forgiveness, ready for a new beginning—if he’s willing to give her a shot.

Retired MMA star Tank Sherman may be used to low blows, but Pepper’s emotional sucker punch left him reeling. Trying to ignore the pain and forget the pleasure of her body beneath his, Tank is prepared to ring the final bell on their relationship. Then Pepper shows up out of the blue, radiating pure sex. But Tank won’t let himself get hurt again, and that means resisting the heat that still burns between them. Because if he takes Pepper back, he knows he’ll never be able to let her go again.

Mahalo.


Friday, November 27, 2015

Ringing in a New Year with a new Cowboy!

Whoohoo! Talk about a series for the holidays! The Last Chance Series that starts with the novella Christmas with Angel that will release on Dec 2nd, continues with Trace's Trouble in the 9 book boxed set Ring in a Cowboy, releasing on December 28th for only 99 cents!

Christmas with Angel continues Cole and Lacey's story and introduces some new characters on Last Chance Ranch, the home of Cole Hatcher's horse rescue.

Trace's Trouble continues with Cole's cousin Trace and the odd woman, Whisper:

Divorced cowboy, Trace Williams, who has nothing left but his pride, must evict a squatter from his cousin’s ranch. Unfortunately, he’s not quite sure what to make of the feisty woman who understands animals better than humans. All he knows is she’s a whole lot of trouble.

In addition to all the human characters, Trace's Trouble spotlights some new horses at the rescue ranch including Lightyear, Tiny Dancer, Storm, Rogue, Mystique and Black Jack. 

Both Christmas with Angel, and Trace's Trouble in the Ring in a Cowboy set, are available for preorder. I think this this year it's cowboys for the holidays :-)

Always, Lexi
www.lexipostbooks.com

Christmas with Angel Buy Links:

Barnes & Noble  http://bit.ly/1ShMNw6
 
Trace's Trouble (Ring in a Cowboy) Buy Links:

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

XXX Thanksgiving



I’m going to tell you a short story today about thankfulness, imagination, and the not-so-common cold.

It all started a week ago when I was attacked by the local bug making a home up my nose, down my throat, and burrowing in my chest.  I haven’t had a cold for nine years.  I thought I was immune. 

I tried all the drugs the pharmacy assured me would work.  My uninvited visitors are still creeping around in their slimy glory.

As a writer, it’s best to think out of the box to keep a story lively, interesting, and unusually twisted.  I guess it’s time to make up my own medicine.  I’ve done stranger things.  Along with a recipe for an obnoxious cold, a story came to life.  our tomato plants

The XXX part is that I’m going to tell you where the story came from along with a dose of sexuality because it fits nearly every time when a romance author writes.  It’s rare to know the thoughts of an author as the story unfolds and how she/he came up with the ideas.

Words of the author are in parenthesis…

***Sabrina (name evolved from an adopted Rottweiler.  The former owner suspected that Sabrina was possessed, so she dumped the toddler dog at the Humane Society.  She became mineJ) researched herbs.  It wasn’t her normal passion, but herbs are healthy.  Herbs smell good.  Herbs are in the news.

Sabrina’s cold, flue, or dirty rotten germs (I really had a cold and checked the herbal remedies) persisted longer than two days.  This was ludicrous and she acted rationally.

She came up with a list: Oregano, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, lungwort, and don’t forget the peppermint (I really used all except peppermint and lungwort.  They weren’t handy at the time).  The list could’ve included an entire garden, but Sabrina focused on the top ten before the idea became a burden.  (I have superb intentions all the time.  I don’t always follow through with those that are a chore and don’t have to have attention).

A basket buried at the back of her clothes closet supplied folded cheesecloth (I used paper towel).  Sabrina felt she was on the right track.  Witches used cheesecloth (or is that my imagination?) and wrapped all kinds of potions and remedies that her targets feared.  She was not afraid.

Recipe: A heavy dollop of each herb mentioned (true) on the cheesecloth dampened with hot water.  Tuck the remedy to your chest.  Hint:  It’s helpful to use your bra to keep it in place.

Sabrina breathed deeply, feeling the essence of her created drug seep into her lungs and clear the path for a deep breath.

The snow glowed under the sun and streamed through the four patio doors.  The fire crackled.  The couch invited.  Sabrina noticed a portion of the cushions left for her between two dogs already lounging (true story).

Enter the XXX scene…

Sabrina snuggled on the couch, head cushioned by Satchel’s shoulder and her legs wrapped around Minnie (Actually quite comfortable).  Her eyes drooped closed with The Twelve Men of Christmas carrying on in the background.cappuccino cup coffee milchschaum

The coffee (I really drank a Bloody Mary- virgin style) steamed and the heavily scented (probably from the poultice of herbs nestled in her bra) cup of mushroom barley soup was set in front of her.  Sabrina sat alone at a worn wooden table in the Grasshopper café (great place in Wisconsin). 

She entertained herself with the antics of other patrons.  Two joyous twenty-somethings sat at the bar and batted their eyes and cracked their lips whenever the dark haired bartender visited their spot.

Two tables away a group of four apparently thought everyone else enjoyed their conversation (truly loud enough). 

In walked a serious face, stubble starting in the early day, khaki pants and a windbreaker.  He sat by himself, kept to himself, and waited.

Sabrina kept her head dipped toward her soup as the next man entered and joined Windbreaker.  He, the new man, was heavenly (Yes, he walked right past me).

Six feet of steel.  Dress pants, mock turtleneck, tightly trimmed light brown hair, and the serious look that must be the protocol to join their group.

Six Feet motioned to the bartender and flashed a badge. (I didn’t see the badge, but I heard his statement).  “Federal DEA agent.  We need a private room.”  Oh, how I, I mean Sabrina nearly jumped out of her clothes onto him.  is this love

A real Federal agent in her little town of thirty thousand people!  He was evocative, strong, and powerful just like the characters in romance novels.  They’re truly out there!

To save all the preliminary actions as this is a short story, Sabrina peeled off her clothes and the DEA Agent took her all over the evacuated restaurant as his muscles pulsed and throbbed for her visionary delight and physical enjoyment.

It was a happy dream.  Sabrina blamed it on her herbal poultice. 

Warning:  Poultice not approved by the FDA, but rather concocted by myself.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and appreciate everyone and –thingJ

Dawn