It’s the day I’ve been waiting for, and making all of you crazy with updates. The Island (Now and Forever 2). Is officially available for purchase and download to the ereader of your choice. It’s only available through Bookstand for now. In another 4-6 weeks, it will then be available on iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. You don’t have to wait for it to be available through those sites. Bookstrand makes it really easy to get the file you need for your device or computer.
For example, if you have a Kindle all you have to do is set up through your account with Amazon to accept emails from Bookstrand and you can have your books sent DIRECTLY to the device. Or you can have the sent to your computer and upload the file to your Kindle through the USB port. Full instructions are on Bookstrand’s website.
Thank you all for being here to share in my happiness. Hopefully I’ll have the next two books in this series out within the next six months!
Today I’m juggling many different tasks. I have to mail out the prize packages from the Wicked After Dark Halloween Blog Hop, find a few outfits for our Thanksgiving trip to visit family, work on several blog posts for the next two weeks of the tour, and figure out what to make for dinner. Whew!
One thing I don’t have to worry about is my stop off at Natasha Blackthorne’s beautiful blog. She’s hosting me today while I talk about finding my soul mate. Much like Quinn and Jacob, my hubby and I have that deep soul connection that we believe is from loving each other through several lifetimes. I’ve talked about this many times before, but it’s worth talking about it over and over again. Maybe that’s why I write about it in my poetry and in my romance novels.
For most of my life I thought of my soul mate as a fantasy Knight in Shining Armor. If I wrote about him, I could live the life I longed for with all of my heart. Over the years I had all but given up on finding him. So much pain and heartache ruled my life, but I could always escape into my dream world. When I finally shared those hopes and dreams in my published works, that’s when my life turned around. In the middle of doing a revision of For the Love of Quinn is when my soul mate walked into my life. I wasn’t ready for him at all…or so I thought. I was separated from my first husband and in the middle of filing for divorce, had my heart shattered by a love from my past, and felt I was meant to spend the rest of my life alone. As much as I fought it, my heart wouldn’t let me stay away from Liam. He helped me through all the pain and allowed me to heal. He supported me through it all but let me discover my path for myself, standing in the wings if I needed him and then standing with open arms when I reached the end of my dark journey.
That my friends is what makes a soul mate and a perfect ending for a romance novel, but instead of a fantasy I put to the page, it was my dream come true. So when you read the stories of the couples in my Now and Forever series you will actually be reading my story and my journey to find that “elusive” happily ever after. It’s really not all that elusive, it’s just waiting in the wings while you find your way, offering a helping hand when needed, but ultimately letting you pick your path leading into those open arms waiting to embrace you.
Stop in and see what I have to say about soul mates over on Natasha’s BLOG. Let us know about your story to find your soul mate. Don’t forget to head on over to my book/author page at Siren Bookstrand and get your copy of The Island.
Hello all! I’m busy “traveling” with the virtual tour celebrating the release of The Island (Now and Forever 2). Today’s stop is over on my fellow Siren author Lynn Tyler’s blog. She’s been kind enough to host me this week AND get ready for her own release. She is simply amazing!
Make sure you stop in and leave a comment. Let me know what you think about the shorter novels vs. the epics. Which do you prefer? Here’s the LINK. See you there!
Welcome to Behind Closed Doors. Today it’s my turn to share a steamy excerpt for Oh MY! Monday. As luck would have it, this is the second week of my virtual book tour promoting The Island (Now and Forever 2). In just three short days, just 72 hours it will be LIVE and available to download from Bookstrand. Can’t wait that long? Well, you can still pre-order it today. It’s even being offered at an additional 10% off the list price until November 22nd. How great is that?
For those of you who’ve asked me if I really believe that there is a soul mate for everyone, the answer is a resounding YES! Have you ever met someone, not even said a word to them but just locked eyes with them and felt an overwhelming sense of deja vu? Then as you talk with each other, get to know one another a little more, that feeling grows exponentially to the point you are simply knocked for a loop? What about when you touch? Have you ever felt like you were struck by lightning and that you couldn’t pull away from the person if you tried? You my dear have experienced what one of my characters refers to as being “thunderstruck.” I even wrote about that in a poem with same title.
Thunderstruck
Dancing in the dark, bodies pressed tight against each other
The rhythm of the music takes me away
To another time, another place
Where laughter fills the air.
And the thunder of the drums calls out to you.
Spinning around the room, eyes closed,
Body swaying,
Keeping pace with the beat of the drums.
A chill runs down my spine.
Eyes fly open searching for the cause.
Thunder rolls through the room,
Leading the way to where I must go.
Feet suddenly rooted to the spot
A stranger’s eyes lock on mine, pulling me in
Reading my thoughts, my heart, my soul.
Can’t pull away even if I wanted to
And I don’t.
The thunder roars in my ears.
The lightning bolt zips through me
Head to toe tingling,
Breath catching in my chest.
Longing to touch, to caress
To never let go…not ever again.
The thunder explodes inside my mind
Telling me this is it.
We have found each other once again.
Heart pounding wildly out of control.
How can a stranger be so familiar?
Looking deeper into my heart, I know.
He’s not a stranger, he’s always been there.
He’s the one I’ve been searching for
The part that was missing from my heart
And from my soul.
Smiles slowly form as recognition dawns.
Could it be? Is it true?
After all this time?
Hands reach for each other,
Fingertips barely touching
The electricity nearly knocking us off of our feet
As we are thunderstruck.
But this time I know he feels it too.
Lost in each other’s eyes,
Holding each other tight
Thoughts of losing each other again melt away.
Not this time. Not ever again.
No longer will we fight it.
We will embrace it
And be thunderstruck
Together once again.
It’s that instant recognition that takes your breath away. You can try to deny it all you want, but your heart and soul will continue to cry out for the one who will make them whole. This is what it was like for Quinn and Jacob. The twist to their story is that they actually did find each other long before the locked eyes with each other that fateful night in Las Vegas. The Island tells that part of their story. I hope you get lost in this couple as much as I did writing their tale.
Blurb
After losing her brother in a fatal motorcycle accident, Quinn’s life spins out of control. Shutting herself off from friends and family in Michigan, she buries herself in her work, wishing for the pain to end. In her dreams she’s finally able to find the peace her heart craves on The Island.
Driven to recklessness over a heartbreaking betrayal, Jacob races his motorcycle on a rain slick California freeway. Near death in the hospital, he’s given a choice. Stay on The Island or go back for a second chance at love.
Destined to be together, but repeatedly torn apart, these two lost and melancholy people draw the attention of the Goddess Fate. As Quinn and Jacob’s lives hang in limbo, the soul mates are given a very special gift from the Gods, and the chance to finally have their love of a lifetime.
Adult Excerpt
His eyes found hers once again and she began to fall. She didn’t care. Thoughts of going back or staying there on The Island disappeared. All she wanted to think about, to feel, and taste was Jacob. Quinn pulled his mouth back to hers. The sweet taste of the berries, mango, and papaya dazzled her taste buds as their tongues teased and danced with each other, fighting for control one moment and surrendering to each other the next.
Jacob finally freed her tits from the laces of her bodice. Watching him tug at the strings with his teeth made her heart beat faster and she giggled before she could stop. He winked and kept up the slow pace. Quinn giggled even more. “I stand by my first assessment. You’re a tease, Jake.”
“Baby doll, you haven’t seen anything yet.” He pushed her dress down to her waist and simply stared. “I’m not the only tease here.”
“What are you talking about?” Quinn slid her fingertips up and down his arms. His muscles twitched and pulsed at her touch. She wanted those arms wrapped around her and to never let go.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. You don’t flaunt it, but every move and noise you make turns me on. I wanted to take this slow, but I can’t.”
“Stop thinking so much and kiss me.” She pushed herself up to meet his mouth once again as they moved on the bed so she was now on top of him. Jacob’s hands slid up her thighs, leaving hot trails with his fingertips. Her body quaked and her pussy clenched as a rush of fluid soaked her panties completely.
Jacob hooked his thumbs in the band of her underwear, snapped them off, and tossed them onto the floor. His hands slid up her body, pulling the dress up and over her head in a flash. He sat up, holding her in his lap, nuzzling first one breast and then the other with his stubbly chin and cheeks. The roughness of his skin against her rock-hard nipples sent her rolling toward another orgasm. She clung to him as he suckled harder on her right nipple while kneading her left breast with his hand. Quinn arched her back and bit her lip before crying out. “Jake, please don’t—”
He pulled back quickly, moving his hands to cradle her face. Concern filled his eyes. “Did I hurt you?”
Her eyes glistened with tears. “No. Please don’t stop.”
* * * *
The catch in her voice nearly broke his heart. The raw passion was there. Her body given freely to him, and yet she still questioned his desire for her. He knew that pain all too well. Here with Quinn though, it all faded away. She did that for him and he wanted so badly to do the same for her. He wiped away the tears that spilled onto her flushed face. He kissed her softly and held her close. “I want you, now and for however long we can be together. I need to be with you. I won’t stop as long as you want the same.”
Quinn slid off his lap and knelt up on the bed, pulling him up with her. She held his gaze as her fingers unfastened his shorts and then slid them down over his hips. Jacob quickly took off his tank top before crushing Quinn’s chest against his. She smiled and his heart beat quickened. “I need you, too. Make love with me, Jake.”
He slid out of his shorts as Quinn eased back onto the pillows. Jacob took in her entire sun-kissed body, naked before him. God, she’s so beautiful. Quinn welcomed him into her arms as he joined her on the pillows, his mouth finding her left nipple this time as his right hand trailed down her stomach.
She arched her back and moaned as soon as his fingers found her throbbing clit. Another wave of fluid gushed out of her and over his fingers. Jacob brought them up to his mouth to taste her. “Mmmm. You taste fucking fantastic. Your sister was right. Wanna try?”
Quinn giggled and licked his fingers clean. That move sent his body over the edge. His cock was bouncing with his need for her, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by his lover. She reached inside the nightstand for the box of condoms, spilling several over the bed. Jacob smiled as he placed one in her open palm. Quinn slid her hands down his abs to his pulsing member. She wrapped her fingers around his shaft and squeezed a little, eliciting a gasp from him. Carefully she tore open the wrapper with her teeth and quickly covered his cock with the ribbed latex sheath. He thrust his hips forward, causing her hand to slide up and down his shaft. “Oh, now who’s teasing?” Jacob moaned.
He eased Quinn all the way back onto the pillows, and slid down her body toward his prize. He wanted more than just a taste. He wanted to feast on her cunt until she begged for him to take her. He positioned himself between her thighs and looked up to see her watching him, her chest rising and falling rapidly. He winked before popping her clit into his mouth and sucking hard. Quinn nearly bucked him off but he held her hips in place, enjoying her squirming and sighs. It wasn’t long at all before he was rewarded once again with her sweet nectar.
He teased her a bit more with his tongue and then slipped one, two and then three fingers inside of her hot folds. Her pussy clenched repeatedly over his fingers and her body convulsed over and over again. Quinn’s skin flushed from her tits to her toes, because of him, because of what he was doing to her. He wanted more, so much more. He couldn’t wait any longer. He wanted to bury his cock deep inside her, go over the edge, and never come back.
Hello my lovelies! I’ve been all over the place as of late and it looks like I forgot to post it here on my own website that The Island (Now and Forever 2) is available for pre-order through Bookstrand. As an added bonus, it will be offered at 10% off the list price through November 22nd. So even before the actual release date of November 15th, you can reserve your copy at the discounted price! Whoohoo!
I just finished the advanced reading copy (ARC) of The Island today. Yes, I cried again! LOL These characters are so much a part of me and my life. I hope you all end up feeling the same way about them. A few folks have asked me if I based my characters on people I know.
YES! LOL
They are composites of people who’ve crossed my life path. Some of you who know me will recognize the bits and pieces of me in Quinn and all of my characters. Yes, some of the “action” actually happened to me…hehehe. I’ll leave that all up to you to imagine what parts! 😉
I received some of the best comments and compliments from some of my high school classmates. After they got over their initial shock that “their” shy, supersmart, valedictorian Tammy writes erotic romance, they got lost in the story and loved it. How great is that?
So here’s the button that will take you to the Bookstrand page where you can get your copy of The Island today. If you haven’t read the first book For the Love of Quinn, you might want to pick that one up while you’re there too. Happy reading!
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I’m in the planning stages for a virtual book tour to promote TheIsland,coming up with a variety of posts, a media kit with all my links, bio, covers and of course the video trailer. Recently I did a blog post for Writer’s Words of Wisdom about creating video trailers. I used the techniques described in it to create my latest video. Even though it took me a while to put it all together the way I wanted it, it really wasn’t hard to do.
Once I collected and purchased all the photos I wanted to use, I listened to the variety of royalty free music I had on my computer from iTunes and from Incompetech.com. The latter is a site put together by Kevin MacLeod. He has hundreds of pieces all for free to use in projects. All you have to do is give him credit somewhere in your work and you are all set. If you can’t or don’t want to give the attribution, you can purchase the music as well. Kevin also offers a service where he will create an original composition for you if you desire.
Well, being on a very tight budget, I of course went for the free music for now. One day I may have to hire Mr. MacLeod to compose something for me, but for now I’ll just enjoy the beautiful pieces he has on his site. The budget this time around was used to purchase a few more pictures from Shutterstock.com. I found several that just caught my eye immediately. The photos of the Goddess Fate, Michael Hartley, and Daniel Quartermarsh were the most striking. They captured my vision of these characters perfectly! I couldn’t be happier.
For my hero and heroine, I had to try to not get photos that were steamy, but not too risque. I also wanted to give an idea of how I pictured Quinn and Jacob, but didn’t want to make those the only images in the reader’s mind. The fun part is coming up with your own interpretation of the characters as you read their story, and maybe even put yourself in as one of them. During the upcoming Wicked After Dark Blog Hop, I’ll be doing character interviews and posting pictures of the actors who I used as inspiration. There is no right or wrong answer to how someone pictures my characters. I hope the posts generate a lot of discussion. It will be fun for me to see what folks think of my vision versus how they see the characters.
Enough chit chat! Here’s the video you all came here to see. Let me know what you think, and if you have a few moments, please stop by YouTube and view the trailer from there so the view count will go up. And if you can give it a like, I would really appreciate it!
I’m so excited! While at work today at my evil day job as a veterinarian, I received an email notification on my cell. Imagine my excitement to see an email from Siren today with copies of my new cover. Whoohoo!
The cover artist, Christine Kirchoff, captured what I had in mind for the island at sunset. Even though the model on the cover has blonde hair and I picture Quinn as a brunette, I think the couple looks perfect! I asked a question on Facebook the other day. “Who did you picture in your mind as Quinn when you read For the Love of Quinn? I got a variety of answers and you know what? All of them were correct. Who I picture in my mind doesn’t have to be the exact version you picture. That’s the whole point of reading books isn’t it? Letting your imagination run wild is more than half the fun, and picturing yourself as one of the characters is the rest of it!
So with that being said, here is my new cover!
It’s scheduled for release on November 15th. If that changes, you better believe I’ll let you know. 😉
It looks like November 15th is the release date for The Island.That may change since everything so far is going ahead of schedule. I’ll keep you posted!
Thank you all for your support through all of this. It’s been a wild ride so far and I’m looking forward to many more to come!
I was really looking forward to the first round of edits for The Island. Notonly did I run through that manuscript multiple times with a critical eye, I wanted to be sure the lessons I learned from editing For the Love ofQuinncame through. I didn’t want to see anymore of those little comment balloons pointing out the ever dreaded head hopping. Oh and don’t get me started with my overuse of the ellipses…
See what I mean?
So imagine my surprise when I opened up the file sent back from my publisher and editor to find very few corrections done to the entire thing! Not only that, but the editor gave me such wonderful words of encouragement stating that I handled the shifts between the characters points of view and also the flashbacks “deftly.” She said my story was “seamless.” Yep. SEAMLESS! I can tell you there was a lot of celebrating around our household that evening.
Today I made the few corrections needed and chose and adult and story excerpt to send back to my publisher. The last time they ended up going with a different adult excerpt, but it’s all good. I had trouble picking the story excerpt this time. I wanted to give a teaser without giving too much away right off the bat. Hopefully it will be the one they like too. I’ll let you know when they put the excerpts up on my Siren author page.
There should be one more round of edits, cover art approval and then the final copy approval all within the next few weeks. November is just around the corner!
I’ve been busy working on The Surrender of Julia throughout all of this too. Since that one has scenes that are also in The IslandI have to be sure they flow well and that I don’t change anything other than it’s all going to be through Julia’s eyes now.
Watch for updates and teasers from both books over the next few weeks. Once I get the cover, I’ll get started on the video trailer. I have a rough idea of what I want to have in the video, but it has to go along with the cover. I’ve chosen the music. Now to find the “perfect” images to tell Jake and Quinn’s story.
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Behind Closed Doors 
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