Beth Williamson’s BlogCranial meanderings of an erotic romance writer
Archive for November, 2006November 23rd, 2006
For those of us in the States, today is Thanksgiving. I’ll be heading over to my sister’s in a few hours and I wanted to wish you all a happy, safe Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my: - family - friends - readers - publishers and editors - health - life Have a wonderful day everyone!! November 22nd, 2006
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE… A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE… A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE… A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… SEND THIS TO 3 WOMEN … you will have good luck for an entire day. But, if nothing else …. know that you are thought of by the friend who sent this to you…and that she only wishes the best for you and your life. November 21st, 2006
Yes, indeedy, today is the day! Book 5 of the Malloy family series, The Gift, is now available in ebook format! The sequel to my cowboy series is finally here! Thank you to all the peeps that participated in my countdown blog contest. The winner of yesterday’s contest for a print copy of choice from The Bounty, The Prize, The Reward, OR The Treasure is Maureen! Congrats Maureen! E-mail me your snail mail addy, and your choice of books and I’ll get your book out to you! The Gift Genre: Western Romance, Red Hot! One part gambler, two parts charmer, Trevor Malloy has finally met his match. Book 5 of the Malloy family series. Trevor Malloy loves women of all shapes and sizes. When he bets a small fortune on a hand of poker only to lose to a lady gambler he can’t seem to charm, he finds himself beholden to a woman for the first time. Adelaide Burns refuses to fall under Trevor’s spell and is determined to make him pay every cent he owes her-in muscle and sweat. Excerpt: Adelaide woke with grainy eyes and a restlessness she hadn’t felt in years. Last night’s win echoed in her dreams, or rather, Trevor Malloy did. That damned green-eyed gambler and his amazing smile. She hauled herself out of bed with a groan and slipped on her favorite purple silk robe. She needed coffee. She felt so out of sorts, she was surprised she didn’t fall down the steps. When she got closer to the kitchen, she smelled fresh coffee and her mouth watered in anticipation. The door swung open against her hand and Adelaide fell forward. Straight into Trevor Malloy’s arms. Sweet heavens. Softness met hardness. Calluses met silk. Adelaide’s world tilted as she slammed into a man who made her remember life outside her saloon. Remember that she was first and foremost a woman. A woman who had been long without a man. Her breasts pressed into his chest and his hands landed on her ass. “Whoa there, little filly,” he whispered. Adelaide shivered as his breath skipped across her skin. Goose bumps ran down her neck, straight to her nipples. Naked beneath the robe, she knew he felt every curve, every inch of her body. His chest was like granite, his hands like hot mitts, his scent filled her. She breathed deeply, inhaling his essence-a heady mixture of man and a hint of arousal. His or hers, she wasn’t sure. Their body heat mingled and moved together. Adelaide was suddenly very, very awake. “Red?” Trevor’s voice reminded her of just how close they were, and just how unclothed she was. “Let go of me, Malloy.” She pushed at his chest until he released her and helped her stand. His gaze drifted to her breasts, which swung free beneath the purple silk. To the nipples poking out like floozies waving howdy. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “You have work to do. I’m sure Dustin already has a list of chores.” She kept her voice as firm as possible, although she felt nearly breathless from the encounter. “Yes, ma’am. I’m on my way.” He held the door open wide so she could come into the kitchen completely. With a cocky salute to her, he blew a kiss to Marybeth and left. Adelaide took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “You watch yourself with that one, Miss Adelaide,” Marybeth warned while shaking a wooden spoon. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” Adelaide ignored the harrumph and went straight for the coffee. She knew exactly what she was doing. Trevor Malloy wasn’t about to make her life change one smidge. ** Trevor stood outside the kitchen door and tried to control his breathing. What he really wanted to do was huff and puff, but since he knew Adelaide was on the other side of the door, he didn’t. He slowly breathed in and out, telling his body to relax. To forget what her body felt like underneath that purple concoction. Forget? Not likely in this lifetime. He knew she was curvy, but never imagined she was so soft, so amazingly sexy that his dick woke up with a vengeance. It strained against his trousers as adrenaline pumped through him in waves. What the hell just happened? It was a casual touch, something he’d do for anyone who stumbled and yet…it was as far from casual as you could get without being naked. He’d felt her trembling under his touch, even as he trembled beneath hers. He shook his head like a dog shaking off water from a dunking. His thoughts were jumbled up and he felt off-balance. Odd, that reaction. There was nothing he could do about it except try to ignore it. *** You can buy The Gift at My Bookstore and More November 20th, 2006
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow!! I feel like the countdown for a NASA mission! LOL! Really though I’m so excited to have The Gift release tomorrow. Trevor’s story was fun, sexy, and satisfying to write. I really liked Trevor in The Treasure and I knew he had to have his own happy ever after. Please join me today at the Samhain Cafe as I and my fellow release day authors have a fun list day to celebrate! I’m joining Lauren Dane, Sara Reinke, Diane Craver, Jenn Andrus, Kai Anderson, and Silvia Violet for fun all day long. Look for me between 7 and 9 pm EST. Day four’s winner of the fabulous set of playing cards is Tehya! Congrats Tehya! E-mail me your snail mail addy and I’ll get your goody out to you! Keep on posting everyone! Every post gets your name entered in the drawing. Today’s lucky winner gets a print copy of choice from The Bounty, The Prize, The Reward, OR The Treasure! For the last day of the contest, I thought I’d give a little peek into how Trevor and Adelaide are finding that together is better than apart. Excerpt: As Adelaide walked toward the kitchen for lunch, she wondered if perhaps Marybeth had a grain of truth in what she said. Adelaide’s heart might not be at risk, but her peace of mind was. Dammit all, somehow she’d gotten herself involved with a man, regardless of her intentions not to. She opened the door in time to see Dustin coming back inside laughing. His wide face didn’t normally look so entertained, so she knew it had to do with Trevor. “What did you do to him?” she asked with one eyebrow raised. He pressed a hand to his chest. “Me? I helped that pretty boy move the outhouse. He was too little to do it himself.” That sent Dustin off into a guffaw of laughter that made him clutch his stomach. Adelaide shook her head and pushed past Dustin. “You can be such an ass sometimes.” Wrenching open the back door, Adelaide prepared herself to find Trevor in trouble. She didn’t expect to find him shirtless, shoveling dirt into the old outhouse hole. She also didn’t expect to have the sight of him half-naked, sweaty and covered with dirt to kick her like a gun recoil. Holy Mary. Trevor always joined her in the darkness or semi-darkness. She’d never seen him in broad daylight without his clothes. Her body tightened in arousal as his muscles bunched and moved like a symphony of man. Little rivers of sweat snaked their way down his back into the waistband of his trousers. Her nipples puckered and her hands clenched, wanting, no, needing to touch him. To be touched by him. To lick and explore all that magnificent bronzed flesh. Adelaide stepped outside, unable to stop herself from reaching for him. Until the shovel almost whacked her on the head. It was as if someone threw a bucket of ice water on her. She’d been in a trance and probably would have grabbed him like a hussy if the shovel hadn’t intervened. Or rather, if he hadn’t brought the shovel back far enough to nearly hit her. Walking on her toes, she slipped back into the house. Thank God he hadn’t seen her. Marybeth frowned and shook her finger. Adelaide frowned back, snatched an apple from the table and stomped out of the kitchen. Her appetite had vanished and been replaced by confused arousal. * * * * Trevor tossed the shovel toward the back of the saloon with a self-satisfied grunt. Finally. He was sure as hell damn well done with it. Thank God. His stomach was touching his backbone and a big fat lunch sounded perfect. Of course, he thought sourly, Marybeth would make him wash. Better finish up so he could get a sandwich and a beer. He stepped all over the hole he’d just filled in to make sure the dirt was packed down tightly. At least the smell was better with the dirt over it. However, his nose hadn’t recovered yet. No wonder Adelaide didn’t want her patrons pissing in her private privy. God knows what it would look like after they got through with it. Sweat poured down his body, pooling in the waistband of his trousers and making him itch. What he really needed was a bath, a nice cool one in clean water. Preferably with soap. He picked up his shirt and wiped his face with it, then swiped under his arms. It had to go in the wash anyway, might as well make use of it. When he turned around, the smell of shit dissipated and he thought he caught a whiff of Adelaide’s unique scent. Probably making sure he was working—he owed her a nice sweaty hug. Grinning, he headed toward the building and stepped inside. “Oh, no you don’t, Mr. Dirt. Take your filthy self back outside,” Marybeth ordered the second his feet hit the floor. “Give me two minutes, Marybeth. I need to give Miss Adelaide something.” Despite the squawking, Trevor kept on walking, intent on reaching her. She who sent him out to dig a shithouse hole on a Sunday morning. He saw Adelaide’s back as she disappeared into her office. Trevor broke into a run and caught up to her in seconds. She gasped as he grabbed her arm and pulled her flush against his sweaty, filthy body. “Good afternoon, Red. I thought I’d show you what you’re paying for.” He shifted up and down and back and forth, really rubbing his salty wetness into her nice clean clothes. “Get off me, Malloy! Ugh, you are disgusting. And that smell? Is that just you or the new privy?” She pushed at him, but he didn’t let loose. He was enjoying feeling her squirm, and making her pay for sending him to the shitter. “Am I dirty, lover?” He licked her earlobe, then sucked it with a nibble to boot. “Beyond dirty. Now let me go before I get sick all over you.” She inhaled sharply when he blew in the delicate pink shell of her ear. “Are you sure you want me to let go?” he whispered. “Yesssss. I mean…you need a bath.” She inhaled then coughed. “Really, really need a bath.” “Are you going to give me one?” The very thought of Adelaide washing him was enough to make him rock hard. Her long-fingered hands soaping him up, washing every nook and cranny, touching, caressing. The more he imagined, the more he decided it was an excellent idea. “Me give you a bath? What do you think this is, a whorehouse?” Her words implied an insult, but her tone said otherwise. “Mmmm, no, but it is a woman’s house.” He nuzzled her neck and sucked at the skin near her collarbone. “Please, honey.” “I s-suppose…it will definitely make you cleaner. The stench is making my eyes water.” She moaned and dug her nails into his shoulders. And damn, she had sharp nails. Nearly broke the skin. “Let’s go upstairs.” Adelaide liked to order. She pushed against his shoulder and he let her free. After she walked away from him, Trevor stood for a moment catching his breath. She turned and looked at him, her eyes intense, and cocked one eyebrow. Shaking his head, Trevor followed like the obedient puppy he was. Holy hell, how did she get him so wrapped around her finger? She told him he stunk and he got a hard-on. Who knew he had such a weakness for bossy women? **** November 19th, 2006
Can I get an amen? AMEN! Just two more days until The Gift is available!!! The Day 3 winner of the John Wayne DVD is… Cathy! Congrats Cathy! E-mail me your snail mail addy and I’ll get your movie out to you! Keep on posting everyone! Today’s lucky winner gets a beautiful set of of playing cards in a brushed steel case complete with two decks, a pencil, and pad of paper. For today’s excerpt, I thought I’d bring a bit of the fire between Trevor and Adelaide. Doncha just love those sparks? Excerpt: Trevor Malloy had gotten under her skin. Even hours after the last kiss they’d shared, she could feel him on her. Could still smell his scent, like it had taken up permanent residence in her nose. Adelaide certainly wasn’t a virgin, nor inexperienced. She’d had men before, but never one who was constantly on her mind. One who lit up that flare in her heart for something permanent. The “H” word she’d never spoken aloud. As she put the money in her reticule for a trip to the bank, Adelaide tried to shake off the deep thoughts. They clung like burrs on socks. The added complication of Buster McGee and his increasingly violent threats just contributed to her overall anxiousness. Life had been complicated before Trevor stepped into her saloon. Now, it was doubly so. She wrapped the reticule string around her wrist and stood. No use staying in the office any longer, she hadn’t done a lick of work in the two hours she’d been sitting there. Instead, she’d go to the bank then have lunch down at Mellie’s. Nodding to Dustin on the way out, he growled and shook his head no. She frowned and he frowned harder. “What?” “You are not leaving without protection. Wait until I can come with you.” His tone didn’t invite argument. “I can’t wait. I’ve got things to do, Dustin. Don’t be such a worrywart.” She headed for the No such luck. She turned to tell him to leave her alone and found Trevor at her elbow. His appearance was unexpected enough to make her mouth drop open. “Don’t you have dishes to do?” she snapped. “No, they’re done and there’s no one in here eating lunch yet. I’m coming with you.” He herded her toward the door until she dug in her heels to stop him. “What are you doing?” “If you don’t have the sense of a goose, it’s up to me to be your common sense.” He tugged harder. “If I can’t go with you, I guess pretty boy is okay. He held his own against McGee this morning anyway.” Dustin must have thought he was being helpful, but he just aggravated Adelaide further. “Look, both of you, I don’t need an escort. I’m walking down the street to the bank and then for lunch.” With a haughty sniff, she shook off Trevor’s arm and stalked out the door. She knew the second Trevor started following her—he wasn’t exactly being stealthy. Like an overgrown dog at her heels, he followed her to the bank, waiting patiently outside. Then when she went into the mercantile, he stood at the door. She took an extremely long time looking at everything just to annoy him. Served him right for being her shadow. After paying for her purchases, she strolled down the street, peeping at the storefront windows, saying hello to folks and generally being as slow as she could be without actually stopping. The third time she heard him sigh dramatically, Adelaide knew a moment of sweet satisfaction. She whipped around and pinned him with a glare. “Next time do as I say, not as you please. I don’t need you.” “I know you don’t, but it makes me feel better to be here for you.” Well, she didn’t have a response for that. It was sweet and the kind of mush that made a girl’s heart go pitty-pat. Damn Trevor and his silver tongue anyway. As she stomped off toward Mellie’s, her stomach rumbled noisily at the delay for lunch. Adelaide hoped there was still some of the day’s special left so she didn’t have to settle for canned peaches and bread crusts. The bell over the door tinkled as she walked in. Adelaide deliberately shut the door behind her. Margaret, the owner’s daughter, smiled at her. “Miss Adelaide. You’re kind of late for lunch. We’ve got a bit of the meatloaf left, if’n you’re wanting some.” A spinster at forty, Margaret was a sweet lady with sparkling brown eyes, shaggy blonde hair and a rounded figure. She’d been the first to be kind to Adelaide when she first arrived in town. Since then, Adelaide had frequented Mellie’s restaurant. “Meatloaf sounds perfect, Margaret.” As Adelaide sat at a small table by the window, she nodded to a couple eating nearby. The bell tinkled again and she knew it was Trevor. She waited for him to come to her table so she could shoo him away. After a murmured conversation with Margaret, his footsteps didn’t lead to her. They led away from her. Adelaide knew she shouldn’t look to see where he went, but dammit all. He was supposed to be guarding her, right? So where the heck did he go? After a few minutes, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She dropped her napkin and glanced behind her only to see Trevor at a table with someone else. That someone else was a woman. She didn’t remember actually getting up, but she found herself standing next to the table staring accusingly at Trevor. A man with the most innocent of expressions plastered on his face. “What’s wrong, Miss Adelaide?” he had the nerve to ask. Adelaide glared at him, then at the hussy at the table. “You will sit with me since I own you, Malloy.” He shrugged. “Anything you say.” Trevor stood and bowed to the young woman at the table with her pretty white fluffy dress and blue eyes. “My apologies, Miss Carson, but my employer has requested my attention. Perhaps I’ll see you around town?” “Of course, Mr. Malloy. These things happen.” The little princess practically sneered at Adelaide. “I hope to see you soon,” she cooed at Trevor. With a devastating grin that made Adelaide’s toes curl and her fingers into claws, Trevor took her elbow and led her back to her table. The heat from his touch notched up her temperature, which simmered from the anger pulsing through her. He held out her chair and she sat back down, noting that Trevor had impeccable manners, even if he was a cad. “You are not to flirt or tease or whatever the hell you do with women while in my employment. Is that clear?” Adelaide knew she was snarling but couldn’t help it. Her sharp tongue seemed to have taken over her body. “Absolutely, Miss Adelaide.” His gaze never wavered from hers. In the depths, she saw a reflection of her own hunger. Damn, they were both in trouble. **** |
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