Friday, October 31, 2014

Guest Author Spotlight - Victoria Sue






Raleigh Point – Rescue   Blurb


Lisa was wicked.

Wicked and damaged. She’s spent half her twenty years locked away in a psychiatric facility because her uncontrollable alpha rages are inexplicable in a human world. Orphaned when she was a baby, she doesn't even know what she is. All she knows is what they've always told her. Wicked.
At twenty-six years Mac helps his family run Raleigh Point, a group foster home for abused or abandoned shifter babies and children. Beyond taking on an occasional tracking job for the FBI, he never has worried about much. He likes to play hard, usually with an attractive woman.

Never too much responsibility. Life is good.

Taking the phone call alert, Mac breezes in to rescue her. In that grimy god-forsaken excuse for a hospital, Mac realizes life has to change. He discovers Lisa is not only drugged and damaged, she’s his mate

The battle continues when a crazed rogue alpha decides to make Lisa his queen.

Available at: 











Sunday, October 26, 2014

Guest Author Spotlight - Vikki Vaught

Thank you, Violet for asking me to participate on your blog today.

Violet Ingram writes cozy mysteries and is published by Secret Cravings Publishing. She has an awesome book trailer on YouTube that you will want to watch about her recent release, Death by High Heels.


I’m going to talk about some of my heroes from my trilogy and my most recent release, To Live Again, written under the pen name, V.L. Edwards, published by Secret Cravings Publishing.
The Montgomery Family Saga is set in Regency England. All my characters are figments of my imagination. I love strong alpha-males with a tender side. What woman doesn’t? I tend to write either a tortured soul or a chief, but I’ve also thrown a bit of a swashbuckler into the mix in my Montgomery Family trilogy. To Live Again is an erotic historical romance also set in Regency England, my favorite time period.

Here goes!

Lost Pleasures Found by Vikki Vaught
Henry Montgomery, the Duke of Sanderford, my first hero, is a chief, a leader of men. He is the man that others look to for answers. He is a man who seizes control whenever possible. He loves fiercely with intense passion and will protect his loved ones to the death. When he meets Melody Canterfield-Smyth, he falls hard and irrevocably in love from the first moment his gaze meets hers. He immediately sets out to win her heart and does. While he is a wonderful protector, he is also very possessive, which later in the story causes him a great deal of unnecessary pain. Thank goodness, he has the ability to love or all would have been lost and Henry and Melody might not have found their ‘Happily Ever After’.

Love Sneaked In by Vikki Vaught
Matthew Cunningham, the Earl of Collingswood, is a bit of a rake and my swashbuckler archetype. His major downfall is that he loves women, whether they are short, tall, thin, or plump, if she is female he loves her. At a very young age, his father forced him into a marriage, hoping to tame him, but it has the opposite effect. When his father dies, he has a rude awakening. He must pick up the reins of his falling down estate and find a mother for his twin daughters. Matthew has always lived for the moment, seeking pleasure and good times, going through life with a ‘devil may care’ attitude. Now he has to accept responsibility. He meets Lady Helen and immediately knows she is the perfect solution for his dilemma. Fortunately, Lady Helen wants to be a mother beyond all things. Before either expects it, love sneaks in, catching them both by surprise!  

Turned Around by Love by Vikki Vaught
Jonathan St. John, the Marquess of Sutherland, is truly a tortured, lost soul. When he’s injured during the Battle of Waterloo, he’s left with a bad knee, his betrothed calls off the wedding, and he is tormented by horrendous nightmares. He is filled with angst and unbridled passion. He keeps himself apart from his loved ones and never forms any lasting relationships, vowing to remain a bachelor for the rest of his days. As he drifts from day to day, going from one mistress to another and carousing with his superficial friends, he lives a dissolute existence. On top of all this, his reliance on the bottle, to alleviate his pain, becomes a serious problem. Then he meets Lady Kathryn, the portraitist, and she turns his life upside down. Kathryn inspires him to want a better life, and even though, he knows he doesn’t deserve her, he wants her.

To Live Again by V.L. Edwards
Warren De Winter, the Earl of Broadmoor, is another tortured, lost soul. I did mention I love that Archetype. When he loses his wife, he becomes a recluse, living only for his son. He’s drawn away from all his friends and family and no longer attends the House of Lords. He has a dark secret. Warren now seeks his pleasures on the streets of London In the dark of night, looking for a whore to fulfill his deepest desires. On one of these monthly excursions, he meets Amelia Harrington, a young woman he believes is a whore. What he finds is an untried virgin and a gentlewoman at that. Compelled to marry her, he vows to keep the steel cage around his heart. What he did not reckon for is Amelia’s determination to teach him to live again.
Please visit my website to find out more about my books at:
I am also on Facebook at:
And Twitter at:

I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about my heroes. All my books can be found at all retailers, including Amazon, either in print or E-book. Happy reading!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Guest Author Spotlight - Flossie Benton Rogers





Lord of Fire – Wytchfae 5 by Flossie Benton Rogers
Paranormal Fantasy Romance
10-20-2014

Blurb: When The Hawk meets his Wytchfae, the result is spontaneous combustion.

Garnet McAnna chases the demon responsible for attacking and enslaving innocent fae familiars. She never expected to run headlong into a mesmerizing stranger known as The Hawk. Nor did she anticipate the way his masculine power kindles a womanly flame within her.

Exiled from an elite warrior's brigade, Lord of Fire Gabriel Hawk guards his heart and his solitude. He wants nothing to do with the world of men or the realm of fae. Then a beautiful Wytchfae bursts into his life, stirring desire and sparking need. Garnet is on a dangerous mission, and he can't let her face the evil alone. What else can he do but fight beside her? When she disappears, he raises hell to find her. Will he be too late? Will darkness conquer this couple or will love burn their souls into one?

First Line Teaser: She’d catch the demon tonight if it killed her.

Memorable Quote: “Garnet McAnna, you’re the hottest woman in thirteen worlds.”

Excerpt:
Lost in her thoughts, Garnet ran up against something hard and springy, and a sharp point pricked the soft flesh of her thumb. She squeezed off the pain with her other hand.
Damned barbed wire.
She had already made it to the fence line and hadn’t even realized it. Sucking in a deep breath, she cleared her mind to concentrate on the task at hand. She had to edge around the boundary to the north side of this large piece of private property to gain access to the portal. Then she’d hunker down in the bushes and wait on the demon Borros.
Moving swiftly again, she cut a wide swath away from the metal fence. Snorting sounds came from within one of the corrals she had noted early this morning when she skirted the property. Horses and a few cattle had grazed within.
Bearing around the corner to head north toward the portal, a splash of incandescent green appeared and then disappeared in front of her. Startled, she blinked and reached into her coat pocket for the revolver. The weapon lay cold and substantial in her hand. She stilled her body to a midnight silence.
The eerie green reappeared and dashed around her body without spotlighting her in any way. It formed a mysterious elongated glow. She clamped down harder on the gun handle to stop her hand from trembling, while shifting positions to keep the phenomenon in front of her.
Her mind tumbled over possibilities. The light couldn’t be swamp gas, as it seemed to proceed purposefully. Its movement created a slight whirring sound. A will ’o the wisp? Somehow she thought not, but what was it?
The presence darted behind her.
Before she could turn, a warm, corporeal hand covered her own and relieved her of the weapon. Whirling around, she came face to face with—a man.
A gasp escaped her lips. With his substantial height, he towered over her. A faint greenish residue of light illuminated him enough so that the fierce scowl on his face caused her heart to thump into overdrive.
She swallowed, fingering the sheath of one of the knives in her pocket. Damn it, next time she’d bring a backup piece. She forced herself to speak, but despite her efforts, her voice rasped. “Give me back my weapon.”
His sonorous growl reminded her of a feral animal. “Not so fast. What the hell are you doing sneaking around my property with a firearm in the middle of the night?”

Buy Lord of Fire:
Secret Cravings Publishing: http://bit.ly/1FKwWBu

Author Bio:
Flossie Benton Rogers is the author of the Wytchfae paranormal romance series. She is Sagittarius with a Libra ascendant and Taurus moon, or a 5th generation Floridian and freedom loving mystic. She pursues her passion for mythology by writing romances with fairies, goddesses, ghosts, angels, demons, and other magical beings. The Wytchfae world brims with dimensions parallel to our own. Some are welcoming, others dangerous and forbidding. Through the darkest night and the fright of unchained chaos, love will always shine.

Connect with Flossie:


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Guest Author Spotlight - Jennifer Owen Davies



                                                                              Blog post for Violet

Hi everyone. I have kidnapped Violets blog for this posting and whilst I’m here running wild, I thought I should at least give some kind of introduction!
 My name is Jennifer Davies, and I am a newbie author at Secret Cravings and my first YA romantic fantasy called Children of Annwn : The Promise was released in September. It is the first in a trilogy, and at the moment I’m about a quarter of the way through the second which is taking me in such a different direction, but it’s very exciting.
I am 48yrs young and having the time of my life doing exactly what I love, which is writing. I’m a wife, a mother of four boys, a daughter, a sister, a pet-lover, a yard sale fanatic, a lover of romance, an avid reader, a blogger, a campaigner for finding the cure for Alzheimer’s, a lover of music, a wannabe singer, and in my other life before kids, I was a nurse/ midwife...
I was born and raised in Wales, UK, but I now live on the East Coast, USA!
I started writing late in life and whilst my life was changing as it does for many women my age. I started to write at probably one of the most stressful times just after I had left Wales for the second time. This time it was worse because I left behind my oldest son and my elderly mother. There were dark days, and out of that was born my love story.
Children of Annwn: The Promise is my first full-length  novel, but I am half-way through an adult paranormal, plus I have several stories that need finishing.

Here’s an excerpt!



She stared at his long dark lashes, which framed his beautiful chestnut-brown eyes. Their rich color drew her in. He was spellbinding. She couldn’t breathe, and watched, mesmerized, as he lowered his head to brush his lips over hers. Shivers exploded down her spine, and her heart rocketed into space. 
“I don’t want to be hit again. Are you sure?” he said, raising an eyebrow and laughing. 
Yes, kiss me, but if you don’t stop messing with me, I will hurt you.
The heat level in the room rose, and the air stilled, as his steely gaze washed over her body and he pushed her against the wall. He captured her hands with his and kissed her lips. Small kisses to start, then deeper, more urgent ones, and Mia yielded to his possession. He leaned into her and pulled her closer, so that his tongue explored and tasted her. Lost in the overwhelming ripples of sensation, she wrapped her arms around him, and breathed his intoxicating scent in. Cocooned against his strong body, she never wanted it to end. Finally, she lifted her head, only because she needed to breathe. Ryder was grinning at her as she touched his face in wonder and smiled, her anger long forgotten. 
“Tell me more about our life in Annwn,” she whispered.

If anyone would like to connect below are a few ways that you can and of course links to the book!


FB Author page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Davies/1421409368089313
Web-site
http://www.jenniferowendavies.com/
Links for the book!
Sweet craving store.
http://store.sweetcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=23&products_id=240
Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+promise%3A+children+of+Annwn
Amazon USA
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Promise%3A+Children+of+Annwn
Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/jennifer-owen-davies
Twitter
https://twitter.com/jendaviesuk




Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Guest Author Spotlight - Tricia Andersen

Book Release
Breaking The Silence (Hard Drive Series #2)








Release Date: September 17, 2014
Publisher: Sweet Cravings Publishing (www.sweetcravingspublishing.com)
Genre: Contemporary/Sports/Sweet Romance Novel
Blurb:
MMA Bad Boy Rico Choate falls for Avery, a deaf Marine – but will she stick around when she learns of his career in the octagon?
Rico Choate is a MMA bad boy with a love ‘em and leave ‘em attitude.  That is until he meets Avery Walker, a deaf Marine who lost her hearing when her transport was destroyed in an I.E.D explosion in Afghanistan.  He falls hard for her, even learning sign language from his friend, Chloe, so he can talk to her. 
Avery has worked hard to overcome her deafness. She doesn’t need anyone’s sympathy. She’s living a perfectly normal life and has no time for celebrities who have everything handed to them on a silver platter.
Because of Avery’s pride, Rico to keep his career in mixed martial arts a secret.  But how long can he keep such a huge part of his life separate from the woman he loves?  And if she does find out, how will she react? Can Avery set her stubbornness aside, or will secrets and pride keep these two apart?

Excerpt One:
The next day didn’t fare much better for Rico. Another late shipment meant another afternoon arriving late at the gym. Fortunately, there was no class for him to teach. It was just a night to work out and answer questions, if need be. And it was the last day he needed to worry. By noon tomorrow, Max would be home and back at the helm of his own ship.
At the off ramp red light Rico noticed a text message. He clicked to open it.

Can you pick me up a cup of coffee on your way here?

Rico sighed. Now I’m Chloe’s delivery service? I didn’t agree to this. He quickly typed on the screen.

From where?

He waited for a response. As the light turned green, his phone chimed. He glanced at it before the traffic moved.

That cute coffee shop down the road. Thank you.

Rico sighed as he tossed his cell on the passenger seat. Driving past the gym with a growl, he didn’t stop until he reached the strip mall.
He stepped into the small shop with a gleaming smile. He glanced around. The dark stained shelves were lined with mugs, bags of coffee, and other trinkets. Another set of shelves was lined with books for patrons to read. Sofas and overstuffed recliners were scattered among the tables with mismatched chairs. Sitting on those chairs and sofas were lovely ladies already cooing at his presence. He laughed. I might just have to get a date or two before I leave.
Rico sauntered to the counter, where a tall, lanky redhead waited to take his order. After paying for a cup of coffee, he stepped back, winking at a girl sipping on a glass of iced tea. His eyes raked over her as she giggled. He grinned then glanced up behind the counter again.
He lost his breath. He felt his pulse pick up a notch. The last thing on earth he believed in was love at first sight. But in this moment, he was a true convert.
The barista barely came to his chest. Her long, blonde hair wisped in curls around her shoulders. Her frame was small, with perfect curves in all the right places. Her lips were a soft, very kissable pink. And when she looked up at him to hand him his drink, her eyes glittered a clear, crystal blue. She smiled then turned to fulfill the next order.
She never said one word to him. Him. Rico Choate. MMA superstar Rico Choate. His picture was on posters, in magazines.
And she didn’t say one word.
He was baffled. He gripped the coffee and rushed out the door. It wasn’t until he parked his Jeep at Hard Drive that he realized he hadn’t gotten one number, not from any of the women in the shop.
He rubbed his forehead, puzzled. He didn’t want any number. He just wanted the barista’s. But for the first time in his life, a woman wasn’t interested in him. He was still shaking his head when he strode into gym and plopped the paper cup down in front of an equally perplexed Chloe. Before she could even utter a syllable, he stormed out of her office and onto the mats.
Rico spent the rest of the afternoon working the speed and punching bags, hoping for a little bit of relief from his memory of the barista. He couldn’t get her out of his head. After a couple of hours, he couldn’t take it anymore. He jogged up the steps two at a time then ducked his head into the office.
“Need another cup of coffee?” he volunteered.
Chloe lifted up the empty cup. “I just finished this one. I’m—”
“Another cup coming right up.” Before Chloe could object, he was down the stairs and out the door. He hopped in the front seat of the Jeep, fired it on, and sped away. He brushed his fingers through his thick, brown hair as he waited at the lone stop light that separated Hard Drive from the coffee shop. He glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror.
Then, he checked again. Yes, he looked incredible. The barista may have been able to blow him off before. She certainly wouldn’t miss him this time.
Rico stepped inside the cool, dimly lit store and glanced around. There were fewer people lounging than there were earlier. A couple of girls that had been there before waved in his direction. He ignored them as he approached the counter, frowning as he did so. The redhead greeted him with a goofy grin. “Need another jolt of java, bro?”
“Ummm…yeah.” Rico scanned behind the counter as he paid for the coffee. “Where’s the blonde who was here earlier?”
The redhead shot him a puzzled look. “Avery? You know her?”
“Not yet. But I’d like to.”
“Her shift is over. She’s heading to class. She just left to wait for the bus.” The barista handed him a paper cup. “Hey, aren’t you that MMA guy? I think I’ve seen you fight.”
“Yeah, probably.” Rico grabbed the drink and raced outside, never looking at the girls who now were vying for his attention. He searched up and down the sidewalk for the blonde barista. He picked up his pace again as his eyes landed on her standing at the corner, still dressed in her white blouse and khakis from the restaurant. A large, sky blue backpack nearly bursting at the seams was slung over her shoulder. She checked her watch as the bus crawled to a stop before her.
“Hey! Hey!” Rico shouted as she stepped on. She never turned, never acknowledged him. The door closed behind her, and the large beast chugged on its journey, leaving a dumbfounded Rico behind.
Excerpt Two
The weekend finally arrived, but it was no break for Avery. She still had her early Saturday morning class to attend. She trudged down the steps wearily. Of all the times for the air conditioning to go out, this was the worst by far. The ninety-degree day seeped into the building, making the rooms hot and stagnant. Every last person in the classroom was drenched in sweat. Even for one class, it was unbearable.
Her face brightened as she stepped out the door and found Rico in his Jeep waiting for her. She nearly ran for the vehicle. Dropping her backpack on the floor, she climbed in beside him.
He looked at her concerned. Are you all right?
No air. I baked for the last hour.
Do you still want to do something?
Yes. You are the highlight of my day.
Where do you want to go?
Someplace cool.
Rico thought for a moment then grinned. I know the perfect place. But you are going to want to bundle up.
It is the middle of summer. Where are you taking me?
You will see.
Rico drove her home then waited in the Jeep for her to get clothes. Apparently, he wasn’t about to push his luck with Lindsay.
He then stopped at his place. Instead of having her wait in the car, he escorted her inside. His apartment was a loft in an old, renovated warehouse, complete with the freight elevators. It was sparsely decorated with a leather sofa and chair. It was the typical guy’s apartment.
There were several MMA magazines scattered on the end tables. He must really be into mixed martial arts.
It only took a moment for Rico to come out of his bedroom changed. Instead of the shorts and T-shirt he had worn before, he now had on a pair of jeans and a snug fitting Henley that accented his muscles. She swallowed back a moan. She hadn’t thought he could get any hotter.
He smiled. Ready?
Yes. Avery took his outstretched hand in hers. She waited as he locked the door then walked with him to the elevator.
Rico weaved from one interstate to the other until they were in Saint Paul. The entire time, he held her hand in his. He parked the car in front of a large, concrete building lined with windows.
Ice skating? she signed
He laughed. You wanted to be cool.
That is true. But I can’t do this.
He frowned. Why not?
I can’t ice skate.
You do not know how?
I do. When I was young, I was very good at it. But I cannot do it now.
Because you are deaf?
Yes.
He smirked at her. I did not realize that you ice skate with your ears.
That is not funny, Rico.
Come on, Avery. We’ll have fun. I promise I will not let you fall.
She gazed at him as he grinned at her. Her eyes wandered over his chiseled physique. He certainly could keep his word. She sighed as she hopped out of the passenger seat and turned back to him. All right. Let’s go.
Absolutely! Rico jumped out with her and raced around the vehicle to take her hand. He pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her waist as they strolled in.
Rico paid their admission as Avery slipped into the restroom to change into her lightweight sweater and jeans. She watched his eyes wander over her head to toe as a smile spread across his face. He certainly seemed pleased. He took both pairs of skates the attendant offered before following her to a bench. Then, they tugged on their skates and, carefully stepping on the thick, black mat on the floor, they made their way out to the ice.
They skated around the rink laughing, sometimes hand in hand, sometimes trying awkwardly to race each other. Avery hadn’t been ice skating in years, not since she’d lost her hearing. It had ended up on the virtual list of activities she stubbornly believed she could no longer do. Rico had proved to her she could.
She gazed up to him as he smiled at her. He certainly was turning out to be her hero. Not that she needed one. She didn’t. But it was definitely nice to have one, just in case.
They were so wrapped up in each other, neither of them noticed the little boys that flew between them until it was too late. The last one hooked his skate with Avery’s. She was off her feet in a split second. She clenched her eyes in anticipation of the cold impact on her butt. Instead, two strong arms kept her from falling. Her eyes fluttered open, and she glanced around.
Rico had caught her just as he’d promised. Her eyes locked with his sapphire blue ones. She wanted to protest, to joke just how cliché this was. Here he was, cradling her in his arms after saving her from falling, his lips dangerously close to hers. They must have looked like they belonged on the front of a romance novel. But her breath caught in her throat as she clung to him, her gaze drifting to his mouth.
She gasped as he gathered her closer and softly kissed her. Her fingers buried into his hair as he deepened it, his lips parting hers as his tongue slowly grazed across her teeth then tangled with hers. Their eyes met for a moment as the kiss broke. Avery fought against her breath coming out in ragged gasps, but it was no use. So, that’s what kissing Rico Choate is like. It was light years better than she had imagined.

Buy Links
Amazon:
Barnes and Noble:
All Romance E-books:
Smashwords:

Author’s Bio:
Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband, Brian and her three children – her sons, Jake and Jon, and her daughter, Alex.  She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations.  Along with writing (which she loves to do), Tricia practices mixed martial arts, coaches and participates in track and field, reads, sews and is involved in many of her children's activities.
Tricia is one of the hosts of the Blog Talk Radio show Freshly Booked, a part of Writers Online Network.  She is also a member of the Romance Writers of America.

Author Links:



Saturday, October 18, 2014

Guest Author Spotlight - G.W. Gibson

There are two types of people in the world who inspire me. Those who write the ultimate cheque to community and society never knowing if it will be cashed in the line of duty and those who follow their dreams against all odds.
Theresa Wallach - The First Lady of Motorcycling
An inductee of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Hall of Fame and the first Vice President of the Women’s International Motorcycle Association, Theresa Wallach was born April 1909 in a part of London surrounded by motorcycle factories. Growing up surrounded by factory workers, including test riders, racers and engineers, of iconic British brands of BSA, AJS and Norton, she had no chance of escaping the mystic hold motorcycles exercise on those of us who are susceptible.
"When I first saw a motorcycle, I got a message from it," she said. "It was a feeling – the kind of thing that makes a person burst into tears hearing a piece of music or standing awestruck in front of a fine work of art. Motorcycling is a tool with which you can accomplish something meaningful in your life. It is an art."  Road Rider Magazine 1977
Even her contacts in the motorcycle industry could not sway the gender bias and gain her entry into a local motorcycle club. Undeterred she developed her skills, competing in local motorcycle meets often taking home prizes. Imagine how the men of the time must have felt!https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_iOCysf47Cu8YjOYUF_fBLQprHSTDi2XhPJtqjNC_pDdMs-7Blg
1935 was a year of triumph. With her friend Florence Blenkiron, Theresa set off on a journey which can only be described as epic. Riding a Panther 600 cc single with side car and trailer, the girls left London for Cape Town. A journey which today would challenge both man and machine.
The girls crossed the Sahara and rode through the middle of the continent to Sth Africa.  Along the way the negotiated passage with the French Foreign Legion, met Nomads. Travelling from oasis to oasis, staying in local villages the girls encountered wild life of all sort including gorillas.  
An engine failure in the middle of nowhere forced the girls to push their bike 25 miles to the next village. Theresa’s engineering studies were invaluable when she rebuilt the engine.
Upon return to England Theresa, this time with the approval of the establishment, went back to racing and captured the British Motorcycle Club’s pinnacle award – the Gold Star after circling the Brooklands circuit on a 350cc Norton single at over 100Mph.
She continued to lead the way joining the war effort initially as a machine in transport corps and the taking the distinction of being the first female dispatch rider.
Post war prospects in England were bleak so Theresa headed to the USA and spent almost three years touring the country. She eventually settled in Chicago and opened her own motorcycle dealership specializing in British motorcycles.
Her refusal in 1952 to sell BSAs to three businessmen after seeing their inexperience set her on the path of teaching new and novice riders. She set up the Easy Riding Acadmey and taught hundreds of students the fundamentals of safe riding.
Theresa Wallach rode until she was 88 years old, when poor vison forced her to hand in he license. She did two years later on her birthday at the age of 90.  
You can find out more about this amazing and inspirational woman at:

G.W.Gibson - Queen of Speed
Blurb - It’s not easy being a girl in an all-male world. Penny McIntyre has to fight every day to hold her place on the race track. Her lifelong dream of sponsorship is realised when she is offered the chance to ride as part of a Justin Byrne’s 600cc motorcycle team. At long last her dreams are in reach.
Excerpt - Before she had a chance to talk herself out of it, she rapped on the barn door. The door swung open. She needed a mechanic and Bryce seemed to be the only person she could trust. “Hello. Bryce.” Nothing, emptiness answered back. “Hello. Bryce.” Her words echoed off the barn walls.
“Ugh,” followed by a thud came from inside. “Ugh” another thud. “Ugh.” Thud.
“Bryce? Is that you? Are you okay?” Anxiety clawed at her as she stepped through the door, pausing for a second to let her eyes adjust to the light which filtered through the gaps in the walls. Penny stepped forward and stopped. She stood in the middle of a workshop surrounded by hot rods and motorcycles.
Across the barn she saw Bryce or rather his back. He hung from a ladder-like device. Unlike a normal ladder this had only one rung, the one Bryce gripped with bent arms pulled into a chin up. Suspended one meter in the air, he thrust the rung upward into a new seat. A grunt exploded from Bryce as his muscles uncoiled to move from the rung from one bracket to the next.
Penny watched, mesmerised as the muscles in his body tensed and exploded cobra-like into motion. She found herself at the edge of Bryce's work out area as he dropped to ground, landing as lightly as any dancer. As he reached for a towel, his tattoos danced in the sunlight reflected from his glistening skin. They enticed her to come closer, teasing her as she fought every urge to touch him, to feel his strength beneath her fingers. As her eyes grazed his body, the heavy scarring on his left side just below his ribs jumped out at her. Then she saw more scarring down on his right thigh. Unbidden, her hand flew to her mouth. What could have happened to cause such horrific injuries?
Bryce turned, no surprise registered on his face. “What brings you here?” His flat tone sounded almost unwelcoming and his dark eyes seemed to bore right though her soul.
Self-conscious, Penny wiped her hands on her jeans. “I need your help.” He dropped to the floor and relaxed into a stretch, never taking those damn eyes off her. “I was wondering...What I mean is…” She clenched both hands together with her words jumbling as they left her lips. Breathe, relax. She took one more deep breath before ploughing on.
“Mick got jumped by a couple of thugs the other night. They messed him up pretty badly. He is in no condition to help with my pit work and won’t be for some time, I suspect. After seeing you work on my bike the other day—oh by the way, I didn't thank you for your help.” Her words came fast, tumbling over themselves to get out her mouth so she could get out of here, away from Bryce.
With liquid grace, Bryce rose to his feet. “Would you like a coffee? I have a fresh pot made not too long ago.” Without waiting for an answer he turned and headed toward the stairs which led to a mezzanine floor. As Penny followed, she could not take her eyes of his heavily scarred back and shoulders. They were magnificent and led the eye down to the tightest butt she’d seen in a long time. She had an eye level, ringside seat as she climbed the stairs behind him. Wow, sex on a stick. She shook her head in an effort to redirect her thoughts to something more mundane. She came here to talk business, not fantasize how his butt might look out of those shorts.
Ride Safely, Write with Passion
Links
https://www.facebook.com/guy.gibson.1466