And without further ado…the winner is…….Jessie Malone!

Jessie–I’ll be in touch about mailing the prize.

There’s still a way everyone can be a winner! Jayne Rylon has a free read out now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble called Through My Window. It’s the first book in her Red Light series and it is fan-damn-tastic! Check it out!

Northern Exposure, the first book, is free at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Sony for only ONE more day. I hope, if you haven’t, you’ll take a peek at this book and the series. The final book, Western Ties, releases on March 6.

For fun, I thought I’d spend today sharing my favorite lines from each of the books in the series.

Northern Exposure

“Remember Jack Newton?”

Colby searched the recesses of his memory at JD’s random interjection. A lot of wandering men had worked the ranch a summer or two but…Jack?

“Tall, skinny like a bean pole, mean as a bear with a tooth ache?”

“Ah, yeah. I remember that fucker. Never did trust him.” More like he’d hated the way the man had appraised him with lurid intentions blatant in his stare.

“When I fired his ass, he tried to throw it in my face how he’d seen you and my ‘fag son’ going at it in the barn. How little Lucy caught you and bolted the night before Silas hightailed it out of here.”

“Son of a bitch.” Colby crashed his fist into the rough-hewn rail, regretting it as a spike of sensation traveled through his knuckles. “I fucked up, JD. Shit, I’m sorry. All these years. It’s my fault he left. You knew, and you didn’t kick me out?”

“Don’t go getting stupider than you’ve already been, son.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He shook the sting from his hand.

“You three kids have been pissing away time like it goes on forever.” JD rubbed his side, a gesture Colby had spied him making a few times lately. “Quit screwing around and set things straight. Whatever it takes. You’re only given so long around this place. Use it well.”

Southern Comfort

Jody lifted her left hand, flashing a diamond the size of Dallas in his face. “I’m engaged.”

“The hell you are.” The words left Seth’s mouth before he could catch them. While Thomas laughed at his reply, he could see he’d sent Jody’s temper into orbit.

Southern Comfort is available at Samhain, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and All Romance Ebooks.

Eastern Ambitions

“Are you close, kitten?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“Right there.” She smothered him with shaking arms.

“Me too.” He buried his face against her neck and swore.

“Stop fighting it, Sam.” If she held him any tighter she might crack his ribs. “I’m with you. You’re not alone.”

“Neither are you.” He tangled his fingers in her hair and kissed the shit out of her.

Eastern Ambitions is available at Samhain, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Kobo and All Romance Ebooks.

Western Ties

“I’m not going to lie, Leah. I wanted you when we were in school together. I really wanted you.”

She snorted. “Yeah right. I didn’t see you beating down my door to ask me for a date.”

He smiled ruefully. “You were a nice girl.”

“So?”

“So I was a horny teenage boy. I wasn’t looking for nice.”

She glanced around the room. “Given our surroundings, it doesn’t look like your requirements in female companionship have changed much.”

He didn’t deny her assertion. “Maybe not, but I think I may have gotten the best of both worlds tonight.”

“How so?”

“I landed a nice girl who wants to be bad. That’s better than riding the bull eight seconds, darlin’.”

“You haven’t scored yet, cowboy.”

“No, but I’m about to.”

Western Ties is available for preorder at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Today’s question is easy. Who’s your favorite Compass Brother–Silas, Seth, Sam or Sawyer? Tomorrow is my last day hosting the blog and I’ll announce this week’s contest winner then! 

Susan’s Super Bowl Party!

Dips (check Mari’s blog today for these recipes):

*Hummus

*Feta Dip

Guacamole/Salsa/Chips

*Taco Dip

Appetizers (check Mari’s blog January 27 for this recipes):

*Uncle Charlie’s Bean Salad

*Wings

*Bacon Wrapped Mini Dogs

Shrimp Cocktail

Breads (check Mari’s blog January 29 for these recipes):

*Sausage and Pepper Braid

*Sausage and Pepperoni Stromboli

*Anti-Pasta Bread

Corn Muffins

Main Dishes (check Mari’s blog on January 30 for these recipes):

*Susan’s Turkey Chili

*Pulled BBQ Sandwiches

Sausage, Peppers and Onions

Ribs

Today’s question is an easy one. I love series. Love, love, love them. Never want to leave the characters. Devoured the Harry Potter books, the Outlander series. I’m addicted to JD Robb’s In Death books and I can’t wait to see the movie of One for the Money because Evanovich’s books crack me up.

What are your favorite book series?

Yesterday I asked you which of the stories you’d like a “sneek peak” of. Fact is…I’m really proud of all these books and I can’t wait for them to release, so I’ll give you a glimpse all three. Please be aware–two of these books aren’t edited yet. Sorry about any errors.

Western Ties

“Leah?” a familiar male voice behind her said.

Leah closed her eyes and prayed she’d imagined it. There was no way. No possible way—

“Leah Hollister?”

She sighed. Fuck. What were the chances?

Turning, she realized her night wasn’t going to end as she’d planned. She should have saved her money. Should have stayed inComptonPass.She was screwed.

“Sawyer.” She didn’t bother with the pretense of being happy to see him. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Leah,” Stacey whispered, her voice full of warning.

Sawyer narrowed his eyes, refusing to answer. His gaze started at the top, taking in her dramatic makeup, before drifting lower to her breasts, accentuated by the tight corset Stacey had loaned her. She willed herself to remain still as he finished his visual tour with a long look at her short leather skirt and stocking-clad legs.

“Enjoying the view?” she taunted. “You still haven’t answered my question. Shouldn’t you be inSan Francisco? What are you doing here?”

He scowled. “That’s my question for you. A BDSM party inL.A.is a long way from a kindergarten classroom inComptonPass.Last time I saw you, you were leading a pack of five-year-olds around my family’s ranch.”

A couple of years earlier, Sawyer had helped her organize a field trip to Compass ranch. It had been one of the highlights of the year for her students—and for her. It was also the last time she’d seen Sawyer. Two years was a long time. She certainly hadn’t expected their reunion to take place inL.A.

She sucked in a deep breath and tried to hide her disappointment. He was right. She’d purposely put herself as far away from home as possible, so that she could indulge in these two nights. One weekend to confirm a few suspicions she’d always held in regard to her sexual preferences. Sawyer was going to put a wrench in the works.

She gestured at her outfit. “I would think my role here would be obvious.” For the first time, she allowed her gaze to travel over him as well. Her body heated with arousal as she noted how unbelievably sexy he was. He wore tight dark jeans and a black T-shirt that hugged his muscular chest to perfection. No one in the place would fail to read the dominance in his stance, the aura of power he projected.

On the surface, she was shocked to find her friend in a place like this, but there was another part—deep inside—that wasn’t a bit surprised. He belonged here.

“So you’re a Dom?” She fought the urge to laugh as she asked the absurd question. Of course he was.

His gaze drifted to her arm. He grasped her wrist, pulling it up and toying with the white wristband the host had given her upon arrival.

“You understand what this means, right?” he asked, gesturing to the bracelet.

Sawyer completely ignored her Dom question. It didn’t matter anyway. It had clearly been rhetorical. He was aCompton. Anybody and everybody from their neck of the woods knew that name was synonymous with alpha male.

She gave him an annoyed look. “Of course I do.”

It was evident from his tone he didn’t think she belonged here any more than Stacey. One of the reasons she’d planned this adventure far away from home, surrounded by strangers who didn’t know her, was because rumors spread like wildfire in their small hometown. She knew about Sawyer’s sexual proclivities, and she’d always wondered if she shared a few of them.

Besides, her sweet disposition didn’t inspire the more adventurous cowboys back home to ask her out, so her opportunities for exploration were seriously limited. Julie was right. She was a goody-goody.

Sawyer didn’t appear to like her answer, so he restated the obvious. “It means you are an unattached submissive who’s looking for a Dom. This wristband has declared it open season on you.”

She shrugged, unconcerned. “Sorry to shatter the illusion, Sawyer, but I think I can handle whatever this party dishes out. It’s not like I’m a virgin.”

He frowned. “You lost your virginity in the backseat of a Pontiac to Les Prescott after Compton Pass won the district football championship our senior year. The guy was a shithead. You should’ve chosen better.”

Leah laughed, though a ripple of desire slammed into her. It was always this way with Sawyer. Though they were just friends, there’d never been a time when she hadn’t felt his gaze on her. He’d scared off more than a few would-be boyfriends in her lifetime claiming they were only after one thing. Les had fallen into that category, but Sawyer had been playing on that championship team and had been a bit distracted that night.

Sawyer had appointed himself her personal guardian in third grade when Jordan Haskiell had shoved her down on the playground after she’d beat him in a footrace. As a result, Sawyer had endured an afternoon in the principal’s office and God only knew what kind of punishment at home after issuingJordana very physical, very painful warning of what happened to guys who messed with Leah. While Sawyer hadn’t pursued her romantically, he’d certainly taken the bonds of friendship to a new extreme.

Despite the fact they’d existed in different cliques at school, Sawyer hadn’t let social status stop him from being one of her best friends. He’d run with the jocks and cheerleaders, while she’d been firmly encamped with the brainiacs, less affectionately referred to as nerds by their peers. “How could you have known about Les?”

“I told you. He was a prick. He was bragging about it at school the following Monday.”

She flushed. She’d never heard of Les spreading rumors about her. “I didn’t know—”

Sawyer grinned. “Luckily, he started his boasting with me. I took him out behind the school and gave him a reason to shut his fucking mouth.”

His admission held a hint of humor, but she could tell he was angry. She decided to test the waters to see how screwed she was.

“Well, it was great to see you again, but Stacey and I were going to pop over to the bar for a drink.”

“I’ll go with you.” He confirmed her fear.

She smiled and shook her head. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re scaring off all the other Doms.”

His wolfish grin let her know that was his intent.

Her temper sparked. “God dammit, Sawyer. Go away.”

Stacey lightly touched her arm, alerting Leah that she’d spoken too loudly. Several people glanced in her direction and frowned. She was never going to achieve her goal at this rate.

Sawyer was the only person in the room who didn’t take offense at her faux pas. “You realize this is a weekend party?”

She nodded. It was starting to look like it would be a long two days.

Sawyer reclaimed her hand, slipping off the white bracelet.

“What the hell are you doing?” She tried to pull her arm free, attempting to grab the wristband back.

Sawyer’s grip was implacable. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a green bracelet. Suddenly, she felt dizzy. There was no way he would—

Sawyer slipped it around her wrist.

“No,” she whispered when he lifted her hand.

Western Ties is available for preorder at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Because It’s True

“Why did you lie?” Jacob asked quietly.

“Tonight was your night, Jake. I didn’t want to take that away from you.”

“Do you honestly think I’d begrudge you your miracle, your happiness? This is what you’ve worked for, Rod. I don’t see how you being cleared to return to New York would take away from the party.”

“Don’t you?” It was a pointed question and as close as Rodney had ever come to calling Jacob on the carpet about his feelings. Rodney wasn’t blind and he wasn’t stupid.

Jacob cleared his throat, then looked away. He faced the makeshift dance floor, careful to avoid looking at him. “I have no hold on you.”

Rodney chuckled mirthlessly. “God. I wish that was true.”

Screwdriver

“God bless it, Jordan. I apologize if this offends you, but it’s hot as hell in here.” Reaching for the hem of his t-shirt, he whipped the thin cotton over his head, fanning himself with it.

Her now-familiar blush returned and Casey felt compelled to prod, to see if his suspicions about Jordan’s underlying naughty side were true. “Just so you know, I absolutely will not be upset if you decide to follow suit and work shirtless for the rest of the afternoon.”

She narrowed her eyes, but the twinkle in them let him know she enjoyed his joke. “I’m fine with my shirt on.”

“You sure?” he teased, taking a step closer. “I don’t mind helping you peel it off.” He reached out, but she darted away, her smile growing wider.

“Casey,” she said, swatting his hands away. She dodged behind the AC unit and he followed.

The two of them played a quick game of cat and mouse, as Casey chased her around the storage closet.

He’d just captured her, Jordan squealing loudly, when the door to the closet opened.

“Jordan? Are you okay?” a deep voice asked from the hallway.

Gabriel peered around the door and Casey wondered what his best friend thought he was seeing. They certainly presented a risqué picture—Casey, shirtless, with his hands on Jordan’s upper arms while she laughed.

“Hey Gabe.” Casey released Jordan and pulled his shirt back on. “What are you doing here?”

Gabriel’s response was slow in coming as his gaze traveled from Casey to Jordan. “I was checking on your progress.” Gabriel’s eyes landed on his face and they narrowed angrily. “Looks like you’re making some.”

Today’s question has absolutely nothing to do with books. I know that the Super Bowl is coming up. I’ll confess right now…I do not watch football. At all. Ever. In fact, if you asked me right now who was in the Super Bowl, I wouldn’t have an answer for you. I don’t have a clue. However, I never (and I mean never) miss the Super Bowl. Why you ask? Three reasons. The work betting pool, the commercials and the food! LOL

What do you look forward to most in regards to the Super Bowl?

So depending on your answer to the question which is hotter, I thought I’d offer some story options.

If you like two rough and tumble cowboys who like to share, Because You Love Me features Matt and Mark James – identical twins! and sexy ranchers.

If you prefer a sweet, sexy doctor with very good bedside manners, check out Because of You. Caleb James can take my temperature any day of the week!

If you enjoy some hardcore m/m action in your story, then send me some positive mojo (lol), the last book in the Just Because trilogy, Because It’s True, is currently in my editor’s hands. It’s my first m/m story and it features the youngest James brother, Jacob, and super sexy city cop, Rodney.

And speaking of the Just Because trilogy…drum roll please…the second book, Because You Love Me releases TODAY!

Safety in numbers? Depends on what you mean by safe…

Bridget Wilder’s life is shot to hell—literally—when she witnesses the murder of her best friend, Lyle. Protective custody? What a joke. Time after time, someone has leaked her whereabouts, forcing her to run from one safe house to the next.

Tired of cold, lonely beds and living in fear, Bridget convinces her guardian cop she’s safer off the grid, following Lyle’s trail of clues to a missing flash drive that could put the killer behind bars.

It doesn’t take twins Mark and Matt James long to figure out two things. Bridget’s not only in trouble, she is trouble—they both want her. When things get a little hot and heavy one night, though, they’re stunned to discover that they don’t mind sharing. And she loves being shared.

Between the James brothers’ hot, hard bodies, Bridget finally feels safe—and loved. When a hit man tracks her down, the last thing she wants is for them to place those bodies between her and danger. But those cowboys have other ideas. Like keeping her alive long enough to convince her she belongs with them. Forever.

Excerpt:

Walking into the hallway, she locked the door to her room and descended the wide staircase. Glancing in several of the B&B’s common rooms for Todd or Steven, the hotel proprietors, Bridget took a few minutes to study the beautifully restored old home. When they’d arrived yesterday afternoon, Rodney had hustled her to their room immediately, sequestering her there while he checked out the property and secured food for their dinner. It felt good to be free.

She was about to cross the foyer to check the other side of the house when the front door opened. Her new habit of hide first, ask questions later emerged and she panicked, trying to dodge back the way she’d come. In her haste to escape, her foot caught on the edge of the Oriental rug, and she took a hard tumble.

Four boot-covered feet appeared before her. She felt strong hands on either side reaching down to help her up.

“Sorry,” she said, keeping her head down. It was foolish to think anyone in this small, middle-of-nowhere town would know who she was, but Rodney had taught her well in the art of making herself as invisible as possible. She fought to suppress her trembling hands. Her heart was racing a mile a minute. God, why did she have to be frightened of her own shadow? She hated living like this, feeling this way.

“You okay, miss?”

All of Rodney’s tutoring went out the window as her nipples pebbled and a slight shiver of arousal wove its way through her body. She lifted her face to see the owner of that deep, sexy-as-hell voice. Identical faces etched with concern greeted her.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound emerged. Standing before her were twin Greek gods, kings of the western frontier, complete with rugged, dimpled cheeks, blue eyes that—honest to God—twinkled, and shaggy, made-for-running-her-fingers-through dark brown hair only partially concealed by cowboy hats.

If she’d lived a hundred years ago, she would have felt compelled to fucking swoon. Instead, her twenty-first-century sensibilities took over and she simply muttered, “Holy double wow.”

Both men grinned widely at her ridiculous comment. “I take it that means you’re not hurt, darlin’.”

Her pussy clenched at his term of endearment. Could there be anything hotter than a gorgeous cowboy calling her darlin’ with that slight country twang? Briefly she imagined him—hell, who was she fooling, them—whispering it to her while they lay together naked in bed.

She cleared her throat and forced herself to stop staring—and drooling—like a love-struck teenage girl. “I’m fine. Clumsy and embarrassed, but otherwise unscathed.”

The hot cowboy on her left chuckled. “Unscathed, huh? Pretty talk. Where are you from?”

“New York,” she confided before her brain engaged to scream a warning. Jesus. Rodney should have locked her in the room. She was going to blow their cover in under thirty seconds, and all because of a couple good-looking men. Stupidity due to horniness was not something her cop friend would forgive easily.

“City girl,” the other cowboy said, though his tone indicated interest more than disdain.

She nodded, determined to keep her mouth shut before any more little tidbits—like the fact she was hiding out from a corrupt judge—fell from her desperate-to-taste-the-cowboys lips.

“I take it you’re one of the guests staying here?” her hot cowboy number one asked.

She paused, decided the question was harmless and nodded once more.

“So what brings a city girl to our neck of the woods?” This question was posed by hot cowboy number two.

She and Rodney had sketched out a rough explanation for their visit with the intention of refining it this morning. Now, it appeared she would have to fly by the seat of her pants. “I’m here with my half-brother.” Shit, five words in and she was already straying from the script. She and Rodney had agreed to pose as a couple, but for some reason, she didn’t want these two men to think she was in a relationship.

That thought led to a major internal eye-roll.

Right, Bridget, like you have so much time to try to hook up with a cowboy—or two.

“Vacation or business?”

“Vacation,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to try my hand at being a cowgirl.” Where the fuck had that come from? She’d never considered such a thing in her life until laying eyes on these two Wonders of the Western World.

“Well, now. If you need some help with that, Matt and I are pretty good teachers.”

Matt. Cowboy number one had a name.

“You teach a lot of cowgirls the ropes, do you?” she asked with a lilt in her voice. Christ, could her flirting be any more obvious? Why not post a sign on her forehead that said, Hasn’t been laid in a year.

Matt’s smile grew, his dimples deepening. A girl could fall into those bottomless caverns on his chiseled face and never be found again. She could think of worse places to get lost. “My brothers and I own the ranch next door. We train horses, give riding lessons. Stuff like that. We’d be more than happy to help you give that cowgirl lifestyle a whirl if you’re interested. We’ll even supply the rope if that’s what you fancy.”

Because You Love Me is available at Samhain, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Feeling playful with today’s question…

If you could sneak a peek at an unpublished story, would it be…

Because It’s True

Western Ties

Screwdriver

Remember–leave a comment and you’re entered for a chance to win a prize at the end of the week.