Category: Books

A Small Town Escape

On By authorarielstormIn BooksLeave a comment

I’ve talked about how I’m finding more quiet time away from the city lately, and spending that time in nature has made me nostalgic for the days when I lived in a small town. Sure, there are drawbacks from living outside of a city, like not having access to arts and culture like museums and theaters. But, the allure of wide open spaces and the sweet serenade of birds over traffic and construction noise are powerfully persuasive.

Although I have no immediate plans to leave the city, I can visit a small town (based on the one I grew up in) called Clear Lake and so can you. Good With His Hands is about a hot small town mechanic and the reluctantly relocated journalist who fall for each other despite their differences and amid some small town gossip drama 😀

Here’s an excerpt if you’d like to know a little more about Jake and Gabby.

book cover with shirtless man in foreground with hot rod vehicle in backgroundEvery woman wants a man who is good with his hands…

He’s a sexy bad boy mechanic with a reputation. She’s a guarded reporter with too much to lose to play with fire. She tries to resist him but one touch from him changes everything. 

Recent college graduate Gabby Richards has big plans for her life. At the top of those plans is landing a job for a major magazine in Chicago. While Gabby is busy mapping out her career as a journalist, her father gets seriously injured. Upon hearing of his accident, Gabby drops everything, including her career plans, and heads home to her small, rural town of Clear Lake, but vows to return to Chicago as soon as her father is well.

On her first day back in her hometown she has a run-in with the town’s sexy new mechanic, Jake Harrison, and meeting him turns everything upside-down. Despite her wishes to remain single, she doesn’t see the harm in going on a few dates with him. Soon Jake is helping Gabby confront her past and bringing out a side of her that has remained hidden for years. Even though she wants to remain focused on her career and return to her city life, she begins to wonder if it’s possible to have it all—career, her dream life in Chicago, and Jake Harrison.

 

“Sorry, do I have something on my face?” Gabby asked him earnestly.

Jake merely chuckled and shook his head.

“Then what’s wrong? Why are you staring and how come you’re not eating?”

“I love how you’re always so subtle,” Jake said with a laugh. “I was just wondering why you don’t like Clear Lake. What is it about this place that you claim bothers you so much? I say claim because from the way you’re chowing down on that sandwich, and the sparkle I saw in your eyes when you talked about your stories, you seem pretty happy to me. I think you’re determined not to like this town, for some reason, but it’s not working.”

Gabby felt a knot form in the pit of her stomach and she put the half-eaten gargantuan sandwich on her plate. Despite the fact that she didn’t like where Jake was going with the conversation, she felt he deserved some kind of answer. She didn’t know if she wanted to tell him the truth. It was so personal. She lifted her gaze from her Big Henry up into his concerned blue eyes. 

“There are a lot of things about Clear Lake I’d rather forget. When I look around, I don’t see anything but a lot of bad memories and things I wish had never happened. I’m sorry if that doesn’t make sense to you, but it’s the truth,” she said as she threw her napkin down next to her plate.

“So you don’t have to worry about bad memories in Chicago? To you, it’s safe, in that respect, that’s why you’re so determined to run back there the first chance you get,” he said matter-of-factly.

Gabby was shocked at how rude he was being. She opened her mouth to speak, but didn’t know what to say to him. Jake could never understand what it felt like to lose a parent, to watch them suffer and waste away and know there was nothing you could do to help them or stop it from happening. 

She felt tears spring in her eyes, and at the risk of having Jake see her cry, she bolted for the restroom, while muttering an ‘excuse me’ over her shoulder. She nearly bumped into their waitress in her hurry to reach the bathroom. 

Gabby leaned over the sink and took several deep breaths, determined not to cry. She wanted to get angry at Jake, she wanted to march straight out to their table and give him a piece of her mind. She wanted to tell him what an ignorant comment he’d made and that their date on Saturday was off.

However, she didn’t want to make a scene in the dining area and be the talk of the town for weeks. If not months, she thought sardonically. She decided the silent treatment would be better and probably a lot more effective.

When she went back out to the booth, Jake was throwing some cash down on the table to pay their tab. Gabby headed for the door and was waiting inside the hot truck for him when he got outside and cranked the engine to life.

“I’m sorry if what I said upset you.”

Gabby sat staring out the passenger window, feeling all her resolve to tell Jake off fade away. “It’s not just what you said Jake. It’s okay. I don’t expect you to know what it feels like to lose a parent. You probably can’t even imagine the pain of driving by the hospital where your mom spent weeks lying in a bed under fluorescent lighting when she should have been at home, gardening, cooking dinner and living her life. 

“I don’t expect you to understand how everywhere I go and everything I see is overtaken by memories. I don’t expect you to know what it’s like to not only be haunted by what has happened, but also what could have been,” she wiped a tear that had rolled down her cheek and faced Jake. “So, you’re right in one respect, Jake. Chicago is safe, there are not bad memories, there are not good memories. It’s just a place. It’s some place I can just be Gabby, not poor Gabby who lost her mom to cancer, not a sob story, I’m just me. Like I said, you probably can’t get that.”

Jake let out a long sigh and Gabby thought to herself, I sure told him.

“It’s funny you say that I wouldn’t understand Gabby, when I understand perfectly. I lost my mom too. Not to cancer, a car accident. I don’t know what’s worse, watching your parent slip away, little by little, or to have her suddenly taken away, like my mom was. 

“I know exactly what you’re saying about the memories, Gabby. I felt the same way after my mom died and I had to pass by the stretch of road where she was hit. It was like a knife in my stomach every time I saw that spot. Then my grandpa died and when I found out my dad didn’t want to take over the business and move here, I jumped at the chance. 

“I left my hometown for the same reasons you’re trying to leave yours, Gabby and I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I have. Sooner or later the pain resurfaces, I may not have to see the spot where my mom died every day, but it doesn’t change the fact that she’s not around anymore. Maybe you can find a way to still be connected to your mom. I started running as a way to connect with mine, when I’m running, it’s like…I can feel her presence.”

He reached for her hand and pulled her toward him across the bench seat. 

“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings, I was only trying to help,” he said as he stared deep into her hazel eyes.

“It’s not your fault, Jake,” she said in a husky voice. 

She was so close to him she could smell the shop fluids on his uniform, and feel the heat radiating from his body. She felt Jake remove his hand from hers and she experienced a pang of disappointment. When he placed his hand on the back of Gabby’s bare neck, her heart raced. Jake angled his head toward hers and she parted her lips in anticipation of his kiss. 

Gabby grasped his shoulders and felt Jake’s surprisingly soft embrace. Maybe it was the emotions of the moment, but his kiss wasn’t as insistent as it normally was. Despite it being a mellower kiss, her heartbeat accelerated, her anger totally evaporated now. She let out a contented sigh and was about to wind her fingers through his hair when someone honked their horn. Startled, she and Jake broke apart. 

“Way to go, Jake,” a man called from a vehicle nearby. 

He continued to grin goofily at the couple as he walked into the barbeque joint. Gabby felt her cheeks flame in response to their audience. So much for keeping her dates with Jake a secret and not being the talk of the town.

Interested in more? Find Good With His Hands at  Amazon, Amazon CA, Amazon UK, Apple, Barnes and Noble and Kobo.

 

A Special Delivery Just For You

On By authorarielstormIn BooksLeave a comment

I’m a sucker for a man in uniform…any uniform. In my short story Special Delivery I indulged myself by making the hero a delivery man. And a hot one, at that!

This story has always been one of my favorites, it’s got a strong heroine, sexy alpha hero, and there’s a bachelor auction scene (an event I’ve always wanted to attend).  The excerpt I’m sharing today is when the hero and heroine first meet, he’s naked and she’s got a camera! But, she’s not a creeper, she’s a photographer. Regardless, it was a super fun scene to write and I hope it’s as much fun for you to read 😉

Enjoy!

shirtless man with gift wrapped box with red ribbonWho says good things come in small packages? Corina believes beauty isn’t about size—it’s about attitude—and Zach can’t get enough of her confidence or her curves.

Curvy and proud of it, photographer Corina Saunders seeks to empower other females by shooting boudoir photos of plus-sized women in her home studio. When a charity needs a photographer to photograph twelve sexy men for a hunk-of-the-month calendar, she gladly volunteers her services. Sparks fly during the photo shoot when she snaps pictures of sexy delivery man Zach Moreno’s strategically placed package. When they cross paths again at a charity ball and bachelor auction, Corina surprises everyone—including herself—by placing the highest bid on Zach, the sexiest bachelor up for grabs.

Thanks to the frenzied atmosphere of the auction—and the complimentary champagne—she’s helpless to fight the insane chemistry between her and Zach any longer and the two celebrate her winning bid. With a bang. Afterwards, Corina’s mortified that she had sex with Zach in a cramped supply room at the bachelor auction. How can she face him again? Then again, after bidding an incredible six-thousand dollars to win him at the auction, she can’t afford to skip out on the date. Besides, the sex was unbelievably hot, and she really shouldn’t deprive herself that one indulgence. After all, what harm could come from one innocent picnic in the park lunch date?

“How do you want me?”
Corina felt her face flush at the question from the naked man in front of her.Actually, he was only partially naked. The delivery man sprawled across the couch and held one strategically placed package in front of him.
The sight of his form was enough to stop Corina in her tracks,while his question had taken her mind down all sorts of sexy paths. She could easily think of about a half-dozen ways she wanted him.The weight of the camera hanging from her neck served as a reminder that she was there to photograph him, not to jump his bones.
But she didn’t see any harm in flirting.
She was glad she’d decided dressing professionally was overrated, at least in this instance. Rather than donning a modest button-up shirt, she had opted to wear one of her sexiest tops, a black lacy number that—combined with her push-up bra—highlighted her tits.
She intentionally bent at the waist and adjusted the positioning of his head. She took notice of the way his gaze raked over her rack. Corina felt a fire leap up from the pit of her stomach and then she immediately got the chills.

Maybe her feverish symptoms were due to the fact that she’d been photographing hot, half-dressed men all day. So far, it had proved to be the best job she’d ever had, and she wasn’t even getting paid for

“Oh, you mean the package wasn’t hiding my package, huh?”Zach asked her with a laugh.

“Yeah, I could totally see the surprise inside the box.”

 

Want to know what happens next? Get Special Delivery at  Amazon, Amazon CA, Amazon UK, iBooks, Kobo and Nook.

Baby, Let’s Cruise…

On By authorarielstormIn BooksLeave a comment

I would love nothing more than to pack my bags and jump on a cruise ship. And, maybe I’m extra nostalgic for cruising this summer because last year around this time I was on a cruise ship.

Ah, what a difference a year makes.

If you’re like me and are jonesing for a nautical adventure, you can live vicariously through my novel Caribbean Caliente. It’s set on a cruise ship, during the early 2000s, and there’s LOTS of dancing and just plain joy in this book. If this sounds like something you could get on board with (see what I did there?) read on for the blurb and an excerpt.

She didn’t plan to fall for a man on what was supposed to be her honeymoon…

After Justus Kendall found her fiance cheating on her, she ended the relationship, but took the honeymoon with her best friend.

On a boat, in the middle of the Caribbean, she meets Miguel Amores, a Latin dancer and entrepreneur from Miami. A chance encounter leads to a dance competition and reveals their scorching chemistry. Justus and Miguel soon find out they’re compatible on and off the dance floor, knowing there’s no future, yet unable to deny their attraction.

When the cruise is over they agree to go their separate ways, but neither can forget about those seven days of Caribbean heat.

“This round show us you know how to dance to current music. Bust out your newest dance moves. DJ Wild, are you ready?” The DJ let loose with an air horn as an affirmative.

What’s Your Fantasy by Ludacris blasted through the speakers and Justus felt a blush creep up her neck. She was supposed to dance in front of all these people with Miguel to a song with lyrics that talked about licking someone from their head to their toes? And of course, Mr. Sexy Dancer himself was grinding his hips toward her in a way that made her want to squirm.

As the rap song continued to describe sexual fantasies, she couldn’t help but picture Miguel in some of the scenarios. Miguel with tortoise framed glasses playing the teacher and she the student. Miguel as a sexy vampire and her the helpless human unable to resist his otherworldly charms. Maybe the sexy situations depicted in the song weren’t that far-fetched after all. The music suddenly stopped and she wasn’t sure if she was happy or disappointed. She’d been so intent on the fantasies laid out in the song lyrics she’d danced on auto-pilot. The audience came through for them. She and Miguel made it to the final round.

“Our last round will be our most difficult,” Antnonio intoned grimly. “We’ll be judging our remaining couples with a full song, and you’ll have to infuse freestyle into this next type of dance.”

“Man, this prize better be pretty sweet. They’re making us work our asses off for it,” she murmured to Miguel.

He bit back a laugh. “I happen to know what the prize is, and I’m making sure you get it.”

Damn, this man is competitive. 

“DJ Wild, what’s our final dance style? Give us a hint.”

The DJ played a snippet of the song I Touch Myself, and of course, the crowd erupted into cheers at the lyrics.

“So the dance style is cheesy 90s songs?”

Miguel burst out laughing. “You’re bad, but I like it.” He arched a brow at her and she relished the devilish look in his eye.

“The style, ladies and gentlemen, is solo dancing.” Antonio threw his hands in the air. “I know! We pulled out all the stops with this last dance. So, to be clear you will dance solo, but will be judged as a couple. How do you do that? I’m glad you asked…” he ate up the audience’s laughter. “The couples will dance near each other, but not touching, not together. Imagine if you will that you’re in a crowded night club, you’re dancing…DJ Wild, help me out here,” Antonio snapped his fingers and the DJ put on a thumping track. The assistant cruise director swayed to the beat. “Now imagine you’re in a crowded night club, dancing, alone. And suddenly, across the dance floor you see that one person. Your eyes meet. Come on, ladies, gentlemen, you know what I mean. Make us feel that electricity.”

“Sure, nothing too difficult there, only have the pressure of tons of strangers watching. Oh, and I’m totally sober. Typically if I danced the way he’s talking about, I’d be tipsy.”

“Justus,” Miguel sputtered her name around chuckles. “You should do stand up.”

“I’m not that funny. I’m just snarky.” She shook her head and smiled at him as they took their positions on the floor. “Ready to help me win this thing?”

“Hell yeah.”

When the song about masturbation came over the speakers, at least Justus was prepared for it this time. And, she knew exactly what she would do to win this competition. She turned toward Miguel and held his gaze. The crowd, the noise, the lights, all of it faded away. It was only her, and him, and the music. Justus moved her body and ran her hands up and down her torso. She popped a hip left, then right and tossed her hair over her shoulders. In return Miguel, rolled his hips and stared her down.

They took small steps toward each other, but danced at least six feet apart. There was no way they could touch each other, but their eyes did all the things their hands and lips couldn’t do in that moment. She bent at her waist, then popped her booty out and ran her hands along the outer edge of her jean clad ass cheeks. Her face flushed and her breathing was shallow and quick. It wasn’t only from the movement. The intense sexual tension between her and Miguel was as thick as a rope. It pulsed between them and took on a life form of its own.

Miguel matched her sexy move with one of his own. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, each one coming loose of its hold, his gaze never leaving hers. She was faintly aware of the shouts and catcalls from the women on the sidelines. That was the first reminder she had that people were watching them. That this was all a competition. It wasn’t a real thing. It wouldn’t end with her in his arms, his mouth and body crushed against hers. Her footsteps faltered, but she caught the nearly imperceptible shake of Miguel’s head. He held her stare and freed the remaining two buttons from his shirt and shrugged it off.

The screams and whistles from the observers almost tuned out the music. Her gaze took in the copper hued skin, stretched taut over muscles. The smattering of chest hair that led to the trail that ended at the waistband of his jeans. God damn, her fingers burned to touch him. It was more than her fingers that wanted to touch him. Her mouth salivated at the thought of the trace of salt she’d taste if her tongue followed the trail of that hair into his pants. She dropped to her knees and tossed her hair back and forth, swaying her torso to the music. The thought of what she’d rather be doing on her knees played out in her movements. Justus looked at him and slowly rimmed her lips with the tip of her tongue. Heat burned in Miguel’s eyes and without breaking their gaze he thrust his hips in a seductive rhythm. The invasive squawk of an air horn broke their lusty spell.

“Wow. Like…wow, right? I’m just speechless. That was crazy.” Antonio fanned himself with his hand and looked at the audience.

Miguel walked to her and extended his hand and helped pull her to her feet. “I’m impressed,” he murmured and pressed himself against her. She felt how impressed he was. Without breaking their gaze he bent and picked up his shirt, but didn’t put it back on. The two of them walked to the side of the dance floor and stood next to the other couple remaining in the competition.

“As amazing as all our couples have been, there can only be one winner. Are we ready to vote?” The crowd roared. Antonio gestured to the other couple and the crowd broke into mealy applause. That had to be a good sign for her and Miguel, right? Antonio stood in front of them and gestured for the crowd to vote for them. The noise was deafening.

“Couple eight has won. Now, for your prize.” Antonio treated the crowd to a broad grin, drawing the suspense out and loving it. “You win two free excursion trips of your choice. We’ve got the trip to our private island coming up, so you can do any side trip you want there. Horseback riding on the beach, helicopter tour. Your choice.”

Justus squealed and turned to Miguel. He’d won this for her. Overcome with joy she threw her arms around him and planted a kiss on his lips. Laughter, shouts, and whistles surrounded her.

What the hell did I just do?

“Well someone’s very happy to win.” Antonio’s Captain Obvious comment was met with laughter.

Heat flooded her face and she followed Antonio to the side where he took her details and gave her two vouchers for the excursions. She couldn’t even look at Miguel. Yes, they’d performed a semi-pornographic dance routine, but hell, she’d just planted one on him in front of a huge crowd. Surely she’d compromised him in some way, since he taught and gave lectures on the boat. Antonio asked Miguel something and she used that as her excuse to break free from him. She ran across the floor and found Krystal in the crowd.

“Holy shit. I need a cigarette after watching that.” Krystal treated her to a high five, then wrapped her in a quick hug.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m mortified. I need to get the hell out of here.”

Caribbean Caliente is available at Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon UK, and Amazon AU.

What Will the Post-COVID Romance Hero Look Like?

On By authorarielstormIn BooksLeave a comment

I’m a life-long romance reader. And I’m old enough to remember the surge in paranormal romance novels that flooded the market in the years following 9/11.

During that time readers couldn’t get enough of supernatural romance heroes. Successful series that launched during this time include The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward and The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, (both in 2005).

So why was paranormal so hot in the early 2000s? Because we’d lived through watching real-life heroes like police, fire fighters, and military personnel lose their lives to the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Post-9/11 we craved a hero that wasn’t of the same world where the brave can fight valiantly and still be helpless to stop bad things from happening.

a man with glasses and dark hair

I’ve been thinking about this a lot over the last several weeks, and I can’t help but wonder what kind of hero readers will want and authors will write in a post-COVID-19 world. I can see a resurgence in supernatural or paranormal heroes. I can also envision the rise of medical heroes and heroines.

Above all, I think readers are going to continue to turn to the lighter side of romance, like romantic comedies and romance novels that either dial down the angst or at least balance angst with light-hearted settings and sympathetic characters.

Speaking of, stay tuned because I have a series launching at the end of summer that takes place in a bar (a light-hearted setting, indeed!) and the series is filled with ultra fun and sympathetic characters. More on this new series in the coming weeks!

 

A Little Fun to Get You Through the Week

On By authorarielstormIn Books, WritingLeave a comment

Hi! I’m writing this post without wearing pants. I also haven’t brushed my teeth or hair yet today. Welcome to week 856 of quarantine!

I think I’m actually in like week nine of quarantine, but who the hell knows, tbh.

Anywho, I figured you could probably use something a fun to get you through the rest of this week and I have a solution. It’s a snippet from my novella Wild Ride, a story about a shy quiet girl who embraces her rowdy side.

Read on for an excerpt, and if you enjoy it, please share this post with someone who could use a fun read!

She’s in for one Wild Ride…

Fresh from being dumped for being too boring, shy and geeky Cynthia Goode decides to shake up her dull life by entering a provocative contest at a popular country western bar. She doesn’t win first prize at the Naughty Nightie mechanical bull riding contest, but she does win the attention of sexy biker Brody Cruz.

Living out what she thinks is a fantasy, she lets Brody take her home for a night she won’t forget.

Cynthia stripped down and butterflies swam in her belly. She’d greatly underestimated how scary walking across a bar and onto a raised circular stage would be dressed only in a corset, lace panties, stockings and heels. Nevertheless, she strutted toward the emcee, the spotlight tracing her movements as she walked. A series of howls and whistles erupted when the man helped her gain her footing and straddle the bull. 

They think I look hot. Well, at least if I plummet off the bull right away it’s good to know I’ll look sexy as I fall flat on my face.

The emcee reiterated the rules to her and Cynthia tried to concentrate on what he said. 

“Keep your clothes on. Hold on to the pummel with one hand. Keep your other hand raised high. Try to add some personal flare. Aim to ride for eight seconds. Have fun, sugar.”

With that he smacked the side of the machinery and gave a nod to the man controlling the device. The bull started up, the base spinning in a slow circular motion while the saddle rocked front to back. Cynthia gripped the pummel with her right hand and lifted her left hand high in the air. She gazed out into the crowd and flashed a smile. Several cat-calls and shouts rang out. 

I can do this.

The device started to speed up, the movements becoming rougher. Cynthia undulated her body as she’d seen the other contestants do. She rocked forward as the bull tilted back and used her knees to grip the wide body. A shrill whistle sounded from the crowd around her and she smiled. She thought back to the look on Paul’s face when he saw her wearing the corset. 

“Cynthia? Did you lose a bet?”

What an asshole. Not every man thought the way he did, thank goodness. From the shouts, some of the men in the bar found her attractive. Determined to put on a decent show, she tossed her hair. 

Or she tried to anyway.

The small movement made her lose visual focus. Suddenly the machine bucked at the same time that it spun to the left. She tried to recover, but her body slid to the side and she fell onto the mat in what she worried was an ungraceful heap. 

“Let’s give contestant five a big round of applause, everybody,” the emcee said. 

Two bouncers rushed forward to help her off the mat so the next contestant could take her place. When they got her off the stage and let go of her, Cynthia smiled and tried to take a step forward. She wobbled and the room spun. Drinking, bull riding and stilettos so did not mix well together.

“You good?”

“I think so,” she clutched his massive forearm. She blew out a breath and tried to walk again. “I think I’m okay now.” 

The bouncer led her out of the cordoned off area near the mechanical bull and then let go of her arm. She scanned the bar, trying to find Nina, but it was still difficult to focus. She craned her neck, but she didn’t see Nina at the bar where she’d left her before the bull ride. Someone pinched her ass and she let out a yelp at the sting. Where the hell was Nina with her skirt? 

Panic crept in like a fog. What the hell was she even doing? She was standing in a bar in her underwear. No, not her underwear. If she’d been wearing her standard skivvies it wouldn’t be nearly as mortifying. Her usual full-coverage briefs, what Nina insisted were granny panties, would’ve at least kept her from showing off her ass cheeks like two prized melons. 

“I’m so stupid,” she said softly to herself. Scanning the bar again for her friend, she still didn’t see Nina anywhere. Straining her neck every which way, she took a step forward without watching where she was going and wobbled, crashing into a solid torso. 

 “Easy there, sweetheart.”A pair of large hands cupped her shoulders.  “Why don’t you lean against me? I don’t think you’re ready to walk just yet.” 

Cynthia nodded, knowing the kind stranger was right. She only wished she wasn’t wearing her undergarments. 

“Thanks for the help—”

She looked up into the man’s face and her mouth went dry. He was tall, even in her stilettos he towered over her. His dark hair was short on the sides and long on top. Her gaze trailed lower, to the way the black tank hugged his broad chest. How could such a simple garment look so outstanding? Maybe it had nothing to do with the construction of the  plain cotton and everything to do with the man wearing it. 

“It was nothing. I’m Brody. And you are?” He asked with his mouth near her ear.

She had half a mind to give him a fake name, something exotic. But then she remembered that she was a horrible liar. She’d never get an alias out with a straight face. 

“My name’s Cynthia,” she shouted above the hoots of the observers and the emcee’s announcements.

His gaze landed at her throat and her fingers flew to her pendant reflexively. The word GEEK was stamped on its surface. She wore it with pride, because damn it, she was a geek at heart and had no shame in it. What would a guy like Brody think of her geeky ways? 

“That’s a cool necklace.” His gaze connected with hers again and she let out a little giggle. Had she heard him right? He thought her geek necklace was cool.

“Thank you. I made it myself.” 

“Really? Awesome.”

She felt her face flush under his praise. Her jewelry business wasn’t something she told people about. Even when someone complimented her on one of her pieces. It was always something she shied away from telling people about. 

“Well, Cynthia, I feel compelled to see you safely out of this area.” He leaned closer while tightening his hold on her. Surprised, she inhaled sharply. Her nose was filled with a rich, sexy cologne. “This place is a wolf den tonight. I wouldn’t feel right leaving you now. That okay with you?” 

She glanced around at all the men nearby and then back to him. Her gut told her she could trust him. She nodded. Brody steered her away from the throng of males, his hand riding low against the curve of her hip. In a weird way, she liked the way he took control and led her away from the crowd. 

“Do you think you could help me find my friend?” Her words were drowned out by hoots from the rowdy crowd. She turned and caught sight of the next contestant on the bull. The woman wore an aubergine teddy that set off her dark skin. As she undulated on the machine, the filmy material billowed around her like a purple cloud. The DJ had put on a provocative song and the contestant was milking the song lyrics, incorporating the suggestive words into her ride. 

“What? You’re gonna have to get real close to me so I can hear. This crowd’s going ape shit.” He’d stopped walking, tightening his grip on her so she would halt too. Brody pressed his body against her and leaned down, so his mouth was near her ear. He swept her long hair off her shoulder. His breath was a warm caress against the skin on her neck. “See, I bet you can hear me much better now.”

She nodded. Her pulse pounded in her ears, and lower, she felt the beat thrumming in her core. Their gazes connected, held. The strobe light circled and limned his irises. His light brown eyes were flecked with gold. She swallowed hard and with trembling hands she gripped him by the shoulders and gently urged him downward. He lowered his head toward hers. 

Oh, God, does he think I want to kiss him?

She did, of course. What red-blooded woman wouldn’t? He was gorgeous and seemed captivated by her. She turned her head and angled her mouth toward his ear. Instead of speaking, she froze, her fingers tightening around his muscled shoulders. For the first time since arriving at the bar, the intensity of the erotic atmosphere threatened to overwhelm her. 

The heavy bass strumming from the speakers. The humid air and male bodies pressed in close. The catcalls and shouts from the men cheering on the contestants. And, damn it, the lyrics of the 90s R&B song where the sexy male voice promised that his saddle was waiting and commanded a woman to jump on it. Maybe that was good advice. Maybe she needed to jump on it. Well, not on Brody’s…saddle, but she could at least capitalize on the situation. What possible harm could come from a little flirting with this handsome stranger?

Want to know what happens next between Cynthia and Brody? Get Wild Ride for just 99 cents at  Amazon, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Playster, and Scribd.

A Steamy Kiss to Get You Through This Thursday

On By authorarielstormIn BooksLeave a comment

It’s Thursday. I don’t know about you, but I need help remembered what day it is. Quarantine has definitely got me…a little confused.

If you need a pick me up to get through the rest of this week, I’m sharing a sexy snippet from my latest release, Exclusively Hers.

There’s never been another man like him in her life. Heroic. Daring. Gorgeous.

When reporter Cassie Pierce interviews Aidan West at the scene of an accident, she’s mesmerized by his deep blue eyes and intense, laser-like focus. The fact that he pulled a pregnant woman and her small son from a wrecked vehicle after it plunged into a lake impresses her too. After the interview, Aidan makes one request, that she only refers to him as an anonymous Good Samaritan.

Dying to tell this story, she agrees to Aidan’s mysterious terms. Although everything between Aidan and Cassie is supposed to be all business, there’s an undeniable pull that’s impossible to resist. When Cassie agrees to go out with him she realizes Aidan has another side. His intense focus carries over to his love life. Aching to further explore the explosive chemistry between them, Cassie does something she’s never done before: becomes romantically involved with someone she’s interviewed.

As parts of Aidan’s past resurface her journalistic instinct flares, putting her in the uncomfortable position of choosing between love or a career-launching exclusive story.

Snippet:

“I had a great time tonight. It’s funny, but this didn’t feel like a first date.”

“It didn’t to me either. Normally things can seem…forced. I never felt that once tonight.”

“Me either,” he said and cupped her chin. 

They gazed into each other’s eyes a few moments until he tilted her head back and put his mouth to hers. Cassie started to part her lips, but it appeared Aidan was going for a short, quick kiss. He broke their hold, but wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her head to his chest.

“I had a great time,” he said again. “But I should probably go before things get any farther.”

“Why? Who says things can’t go any further?”

He was quiet a moment and she felt his grip around her shoulders loosen slightly. 

“You’ve been drinking. I don’t want you to do something that you’ll regret later.”

“Look at my eyes,” she lifted her head from his chest. “You’re in security. You’ve probably had to handle your share of intoxicated people when they get loud and rowdy. Do I look drunk to you?”

His clear blue irises stared into hers for several moments.

“No, you don’t look drunk.”

“Then what’s the issue?”

“I like you and I want to see you again. You’re a good woman, Cassie. I don’t want to screw anything up because I can’t control myself around you.”

“So, a good woman can’t enjoy sex with someone she’s attracted to and has a good time being around? Come on, Aidan. I see what kind of person you are, with your intense, astute ways. I know control is important to you. It seems like you take pride in restraining yourself, but this is one time you can give in and let go of it.”

“No, that’s where you’re wrong.” 

She knitted her brows together, unsure of his meaning. 

“I am going to keep my control tonight.”

He wrapped his hands around either side of her head and drew her mouth to his. The second kiss was so different from the first. He wasn’t timid. It wasn’t the soft, reverential peck of man trying to test the waters. This was the hot, insistent kiss of a man in charge who knew what he wanted and had no problem claiming it. The pressure of his lips and commanding stroke of his tongue promised an experience just shy of sinful.

It was arousing as hell.

She let out a soft sigh when his tongue caressed hers. Cassie walked her fingers up the wide wall of his chest until she reached the smooth, firm column of his neck. She slid her hands around it and toward the back until she made contact with the hair at his nape. She entwined several of the thick, wavy strands through her fingers. 

He tilted her head back further and broke free from the kiss. She shivered as he trailed his lips down her jaw and along the side of her neck. His mouth nibbled on the sensitive spot, making her squirm beneath his hold. Her breathing was quick and shallow. She was sure that he could feel the speed of her pulse as he kissed the base of her throat.

Want to know what happens next? Get Exclusively Hers on Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kindle US, Kindle AU, Kindle CA, Kindle UK, and Kobo.

 

Steamy excerpt from Caribbean Caliente

On By authorarielstormIn BooksLeave a comment

Caribbean Caliente is out now! I’m excited to share this book with the world, especially right now when things feel so heavy. This book is light, happy, and FUN! If you’re looking for some new romance to read, I hope you’ll check it out.

Blurb

She didn’t plan to fall for a man on what was supposed to be her honeymoon…

After Justus Kendall found her fiance cheating on her, she ended the relationship, but took the honeymoon with her best friend.

On a boat, in the middle of the Caribbean, she meets Miguel Amores, a Latin dancer and entrepreneur from Miami. A chance encounter leads to a dance competition and reveals their scorching chemistry. Justus and Miguel soon find out they’re compatible on and off the dance floor, knowing there’s no future, yet unable to deny their attraction.

When the cruise is over they agree to go their separate ways, but neither can forget about those seven days of Caribbean heat.

Get it in digital format at Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon UK, and Amazon AU.

Excerpt

“I didn’t peg you as being a stickler for the rules.” His green eyes toured her body. Warmth spread through her at his look. “Come on, don’t I get an answer?”

She didn’t want to tell him the real reasons why she wanted to know if he was single. She didn’t want him to know she’d been cheated on recently. And she sure as hell didn’t want him to know how he, a near stranger, stoked her desire. Still, she had to come up with something to say.

“In dance class you seemed like a nice guy, but I couldn’t imagine a nice guy asking another woman out right under his girlfriend’s nose. I had to ask you about Tammy because I had to make sure my intuition was right.”

“Fair enough. And what about my other question.”

“Why did I agree to go to the competition with you tonight?”

He nodded. 

“I like to win. What better chance would I have than to dance with an instructor?” She hoped he bought her excuse. It was partially true, but she’d have agreed to dance with Miguel even if he had two left feet. 

“Hmm, a stickler for the rules, competitive, and you don’t shy away from confrontation, either. You’ve intrigued me, Justus.”

Heat spread through her. “It’s mutual,” she whispered, and immediately regretted it.

Miguel smiled at her confession. “Okay. Now that you know the truth, what does that mean? I’ve passed your test, then?”

“Yes, and it means that I can have fun dancing with you tonight at the competition, and have a clear conscience about it.”

Miguel glanced at the clock on the wall. “Speaking of, I’ll see you in a few hours. I have a few things I have to do before I go to the competition.”

“Okay, I’ll see you there.”

 She broke their stare and turned her head from side to side, looking pointedly at the way his arms were braced against the wall, keeping her in place. He dropped his arms. She took a couple steps forward, but Miguel grabbed her wrist and drew her back into the corner.

“Wait.” He looked left and right then gazed down into her face. “I don’t want there to be any room for doubt in your mind.” 

He cupped her chin and tilted it back then slanted his mouth over hers. The contact was brief but intense. He applied just the right pressure and suction. And holy hell were his lips soft. She placed her hands on his chest, feeling the corded muscles there and the heat from his skin warmed her palms. The searing gaze he treated her to afterward caused her nipples to tighten and a ribbon of desire to unfurl in her lower belly. The man could well hold a patent on the smoldering sexy stare.

“Justus,” he called to her. 

She spun and faced him, sure her cheeks were scarlet. “Yeah?”

“I like to win, too,” he told her with a wink. 

Want to read more? You can find Caribbean Caliente at Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon UK, and Amazon AU.

Give Me Another Hit of Nostalgia

On By authorarielstormIn BooksLeave a comment

I’ve been working on a story for a while now. It’s called Caribbean Caliente and it’s set on a cruise ship during the summer of 2002. I wanted to write the story during this time frame because of the freedom I’d have with characters who didn’t have smartphones, back before social media was a thing.

And, who doesn’t love a big ol’ slice of nostalgia pie? If you’re looking to add to your reading list-and who isn’t these days?-this book is coming atcha on Tuesday, March 31!

For now, I hope you enjoy this excerpt from Caribbean Caliente where my hero and heroine compete in a Dancing With the Stars-esque competition on the cruise ship.

Blurb

She didn’t plan to fall for a man on what was supposed to be her honeymoon…

After Justus Kendall found her fiance cheating on her, she ended the relationship, but took the honeymoon with her best friend.

On a boat, in the middle of the Caribbean, she meets Miguel Amores, a Latin dancer and entrepreneur from Miami. A chance encounter leads to a dance competition and reveals their scorching chemistry. Justus and Miguel soon find out they’re compatible on and off the dance floor, knowing there’s no future, yet unable to deny their attraction.

When the cruise is over they agree to got their separate ways, but neither can forget about those seven days of Caribbean heat.

Teaser

“This round show us you know how to dance to current music. Bust out your newest dance moves. DJ Wild, are you ready?” The DJ let loose with an air horn as an affirmative. 

What’s Your Fantasy by Ludacris blasted through the speakers and Justus felt a blush creep up her neck. She was supposed to dance in front of all these people with Miguel to a song with lyrics that talked about licking someone from their head to their toes? And of course, Mr. Sexy Dancer himself was grinding his hips toward her in a way that made her want to squirm.

As the rap song continued to describe sexual fantasies, she couldn’t help but picture Miguel in some of the scenarios. Miguel with tortoise framed glasses playing the teacher and she the student. Miguel as a sexy vampire and her the helpless human unable to resist his otherworldly charms. Maybe the sexy situations depicted in the song weren’t that far-fetched after all. The music suddenly stopped and she wasn’t sure if she was happy or disappointed. She’d been so intent on the fantasies laid out in the song lyrics she’d danced on auto-pilot. The audience came through for them. She and Miguel made it to the final round. 

“Our last round will be our most difficult,” Antnonio intoned grimly. “We’ll be judging our remaining couples with a full song, and you’ll have to infuse freestyle into this next type of dance.”

“Man, this prize better be pretty sweet. They’re making us work our asses off for it,” she murmured to Miguel. 

He bit back a laugh. “I happen to know what the prize is, and I’m making sure you get it.”

Damn, this man is competitive. 

“DJ Wild, what’s our final dance style? Give us a hint.”

The DJ played a snippet of the song I Touch Myself, and of course, the crowd erupted into cheers at the lyrics. 

“So the dance style is cheesy 90s songs?”

Miguel burst out laughing. “You’re bad, but I like it.” He arched a brow at her and she relished the devilish look in his eye.

“The style, ladies and gentlemen, is solo dancing.” Antonio threw his hands in the air. “I know! We pulled out all the stops with this last dance. So, to be clear you will dance solo, but will be judged as a couple. How do you do that? I’m glad you asked…” he ate up the audience’s laughter. “The couples will dance near each other, but not touching, not together. Imagine if you will that you’re in a crowded night club, you’re dancing…DJ Wild, help me out here,” Antonio snapped his fingers and the DJ put on a thumping track. The assistant cruise director swayed to the beat. “Now imagine you’re in a crowded night club, dancing, alone. And suddenly, across the dance floor you see that one person. Your eyes meet. Come on, ladies, gentlemen, you know what I mean. Make us feel that electricity.”

“Sure, nothing too difficult there, only have the pressure of tons of strangers watching. Oh, and I’m totally sober. Typically if I danced the way he’s talking about, I’d be tipsy.”

“Justus,” Miguel sputtered her name around chuckles. “You should do stand up.”

“I’m not that funny. I’m just snarky.” She shook her head and smiled at him as they took their positions on the floor. “Ready to help me win this thing?”

“Hell yeah.”

When the song about masturbation came over the speakers, at least Justus was prepared for it this time. And, she knew exactly what she would do to win this competition. She turned toward Miguel and held his gaze. The crowd, the noise, the lights, all of it faded away. It was only her, and him, and the music. Justus moved her body and ran her hands up and down her torso. She popped a hip left, then right and tossed her hair over her shoulders. In return Miguel, rolled his hips and stared her down. 

They took small steps toward each other, but danced at least six feet apart. There was no way they could touch each other, but their eyes did all the things their hands and lips couldn’t do in that moment. She bent at her waist, then popped her booty out and ran her hands along the outer edge of her jean clad ass cheeks. Her face flushed and her breathing was shallow and quick. It wasn’t only from the movement. The intense sexual tension between her and Miguel was as thick as a rope. It pulsed between them and took on a life form of its own. 

Miguel matched her sexy move with one of his own. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, each one coming loose of its hold, his gaze never leaving hers. She was faintly aware of the shouts and catcalls from the women on the sidelines. That was the first reminder she had that people were watching them. That this was all a competition. It wasn’t a real thing. It wouldn’t end with her in his arms, his mouth and body crushed against hers. Her footsteps faltered, but she caught the nearly imperceptible shake of Miguel’s head. He held her stare and freed the remaining two buttons from his shirt and shrugged it off. 

The screams and whistles from the observers almost tuned out the music. Her gaze took in the copper hued skin, stretched taut over muscles. The smattering of chest hair that led to the trail that ended at the waistband of his jeans. God damn, her fingers burned to touch him. It was more than her fingers that wanted to touch him. Her mouth salivated at the thought of the trace of salt she’d taste if her tongue followed the trail of that hair into his pants. She dropped to her knees and tossed her hair back and forth, swaying her torso to the music. The thought of what she’d rather be doing on her knees played out in her movements. Justus looked at him and slowly rimmed her lips with the tip of her tongue. Heat burned in Miguel’s eyes and without breaking their gaze he thrust his hips in a seductive rhythm. The invasive squawk of an air horn broke their lusty spell.

“Wow. Like…wow, right? I’m just speechless. That was crazy.” Antonio fanned himself with his hand and looked at the audience.

Miguel walked to her and extended his hand and helped pull her to her feet. “I’m impressed,” he murmured and pressed himself against her. She felt how impressed he was. Without breaking their gaze he bent and picked up his shirt, but didn’t put it back on. The two of them walked to the side of the dance floor and stood next to the other couple remaining in the competition. 

“As amazing as all our couples have been, there can only be one winner. Are we ready to vote?” The crowd roared. Antonio gestured to the other couple and the crowd broke into mealy applause. That had to be a good sign for her and Miguel, right? Antonio stood in front of them and gestured for the crowd to vote for them. The noise was deafening. 

“Couple eight has won. Now, for your prize.” Antonio treated the crowd to a broad grin, drawing the suspense out and loving it. “You win two free excursion trips of your choice. We’ve got the trip to our private island coming up, so you can do any side trip you want there. Horseback riding on the beach, helicopter tour. Your choice.”

Justus squealed and turned to Miguel. He’d won this for her. Overcome with joy she threw her arms around him and planted a kiss on his lips. Laughter, shouts, and whistles surrounded her. 

What the hell did I just do?

“Well someone’s very happy to win.” Antonio’s Captain Obvious comment was met with laughter. 

Heat flooded her face and she followed Antonio to the side where he took her details and gave her two vouchers for the excursions. She couldn’t even look at Miguel. Yes, they’d performed a semi-pornographic dance routine, but hell, she’d just planted one on him in front of a huge crowd. Surely she’d compromised him in some way, since he taught and gave lectures on the boat. Antonio asked Miguel something and she used that as her excuse to break free from him. She ran across the floor and found Krystal in the crowd. 

“Holy shit. I need a cigarette after watching that.” Krystal treated her to a high five, then wrapped her in a quick hug. 

“Yeah, yeah. I’m mortified. I need to get the hell out of here.”

 

Preserve Your Sanity, Read Romance

On By authorarielstormIn BooksLeave a comment

I need escape, and probably you do, too. One reason I write romance is because I feel strongly I’ve been given a gift to shine a positive light in a world that time and again tries to convince us that it’s full of darkness and negativity.

If you need a break from streaming services and social media, might I suggest you turn to a romance? Within the pages of a romance novel you’ll find themes of triumph, empowerment, self-discovery, hope, love, and of course, a happy ending.

Who doesn’t need a little (or a lot) of that right now?

You can find my books here. Or go search your library, or favorite online retailer…just read some romance.

Giving Thanks for Free Books and Giveaways at The Romance Studio’s Thanksgiving Party

On By authorarielstormIn BooksLeave a comment

Thanksgiving in the U.S. is just around the corner and that means we’re headed into the holiday season. The Romance Studio is kicking off this festive time of year with their annual Thanksgiving Party, happening now until Wednesday!

Readers have a chance to win free books and other giveaways, including a chance to win a copy of my short story Marital Bonds. I’m also sharing snippets from my books, so if you’d like to read an excerpt or two, stop by each day to see what stories (and scenes) I share.

During this holiday season and all year long, I want my readers to know how grateful I am for you! Thank you so much to everyone who has bought one of my books, left a review, a comment on social media and my blog, and subscribed to my newsletter. Writing is a solitary profession and it brings me joy to know that someone, somewhere has liked a story that I’ve written.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!