When I began this post, I was thinking of all the sexy stuff a woman would want a man to give her or engage her in during the holidays. Visions of lingerie, chocolate (yeah, definitely chocolate), jewelry and some hot sex danced in my mind. I saw hubbies or boyfriends wearing nothing but mistletoe and maybe a little chocolate that just had to be licked off! :)
And then I thought that although those things are great, what I personally want is a guy I can trust, one who gives me a safe place to land, who’s there to pick me up when I fall. To me, it’s a bone-deep, soul-deep need. Nothing’s more romantic than trust.
It’s the type of feeling I tried to convey in my newest EC release Adored.
Although the book has tons of passion and steamy sex (“Fantastic” wrote Brande at My Foolish Wisdom; “. . .the fantasy scenes are that hot and the real love scenes between Danni and Adam are even hotter.” wrote Lilly at I Do Not Want to Wait, I Want the Book Now; “Hot! Hot! Hot! This was a smoking hot read.” wrote Reese at Night Owl Reviews; ". . .a sexy romance with some great love scenes and two characters you can’t help but like. . .I found Adored to be a very satisfying read.” wrote KB at Babbling About Books and More; “I loved this!” said Angelika Devlin at Alternative-Read.com), it also has heart. For too long Danni’s been cheated on and lied to by men. What she wants is an honest relationship. . .a lasting one. Read on to see what I mean:
BLURB:
ADORED - A shameless fantasy come true…When tall, dark and delicious Adam Farrell crosses Danni’s radar at a trade show in Vegas, it’s not lust at first sight. He’s been the star of her wicked fantasies for a while, pleasuring her in acts of domination and submission that leave her breathless. Aching for his masterful touch, believing she’ll never have it, Danni indulges in a public sex act Adam alone witnesses. What follows is a night of wild and unrestrained passion in his powerful arms. It’s only the beginning. An undisclosed business deal has turned Adam from competitor to Danni’s new boss. His hunger for her is absolute and he’ll make her fantasies seem tame as he takes her in ways she never imagined – whenever he wants, wherever he desires. Seduced by Adam’s plan to mix exquisite control with adoration, Danni’s swept into a sensual adventure she can’t resist. Until corporate politics intrude and she learns what Adam’s been hiding to protect her. . .a secret he’s long feared will tear them apart.
EXCERPT:
The hours ’til dawn moved too quickly. So did Saturday morning and afternoon. They decided on an early dinner to fortify themselves for the bulk of the evening. Their delivery of spring rolls, crab rangoon, dry garlic spareribs, twice-cooked pork, rice and noodles covered the end table in front of the fireplace.
An old hand with chopsticks, Danni deftly lifted morsels of food, tossed them in the air and caught them in her mouth. Although Adam smiled, his thoughts remained on their future or possible lack of it. On Monday they’d have less than five-and-a-half weeks together, unless he did something.
Halfway through their meal, a plan started to formulate in his mind, distracting him from Danni’s comment. He was about to ask her what she’d said when her cell phone rang. Swiping a noodle off her chin, she looked at the number. Instantly, he knew something was wrong and asked what he shouldn’t. “Who is it?”
“My mom. Sorry, I have to take this.” She went into his bedroom.
Adam turned down his Toni Braxton CD and listened to Danni pacing as she spoke in low, soothing tones.
He wondered if her mom had a drinking problem like his dad. For years, his father had abused alcohol and was now a decade sober. Even so, Adam couldn’t quite shake the terror he’d felt as a little kid, scared his dad would come home mad and yelling, or if the police would call, telling them he’d been hurt in an accident. He hoped her mom wasn’t causing her the same kind of grief.
She returned to the living room, clothes in hand. “I have to go.”
“What happened? Can you tell me?”
“It’s nothing serious. I mean, it’s not like my mom’s sick or anything.” She sat on his sofa and pulled on her socks. “My dad…” Shaking her head, she swore.
Adam joined her on the sofa. “I know this isn’t any of my business, and I shouldn’t even ask, but does he drink? Is he violent?”
“Oh no. He cheats.” She yanked on her right boot and laced it. “He’s been unfaithful since day one, and Mom usually pretends nothing’s happened. When that doesn’t work, she convinces herself to believe his lies. Still, it gets to her.” She put on her other boot. “Tonight he was supposed to take her to that remake of The Shining. She’s a huge horror fan. At the last minute, he said he had to work a security detail for the extra cash. He’s a cop. She asked me to go with her. I couldn’t refuse. She knows he’s with another woman. She needs me. I’ll probably stay over and keep her company tomorrow too. I’ve got such a screwed-up family.”
“Don’t we all.” He confessed about his dad.
“Oh.” Pain tightened her features. “I’m so sorry.”
He kissed her palm, desperate to make things right for her and them. “Thanks. I’ll throw on some clothes to drive you back.”
“I can take a cable car.”
“No. I’m driving you.”
She tried to lighten the mood as they headed back to the office, until Adam asked her to relax and just be herself. He couldn’t imagine anything better.
“You’re sure? I might cry.”
“Not a problem. My seats are waterproofed.”
She laughed briefly then sighed. “What I’m about to say doesn’t have any bearing on you, all right?” She continued before he could answer, “Some men don’t realize how deeply their deceit affects women. They believe it’s okay to lie, just as long as they’re not caught. And if they do get caught, they can always con their way out of it. To them, it’s a game. Let me tell you, it’s not. It’s like walking on hard ground that suddenly turns into quicksand, then back again without any warning. Eventually, you’re afraid to make a move. You don’t know what to believe or trust, including yourself.”
In all the romances I write, I want there to be a strong, lasting connection between my characters. Sure, there’s humor and sex and all that other good stuff, but heart is what really matters. At least, that’s what my fans say.
For today’s extravaganza, I’ll be giving away a copy of Adored. Good luck, good reading, and Happy Holidays!
