Mid Week Tease - The Beltane Witch - Cannon Fodder

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Authors: this is a great opportunity to spotlight a few lines or even a paragraph or two from a new release or backlisted title. Readers: you get to sample some delicious snippets! We’ll do our best to tease, titillate and tantalize you into the weekend.

Today I'm offering snippets from The Beltane Witch, a paranormal romance, and Book 2 in the Cloudburst Colorado series. Sabrina Foxglove is recovering, but she gets caught in a little backstory about her life and her children. Darius has a great way of putting it about her ex.

He frowned and studied her for a few moments. “Where is the girls’ father?”

Old patterns of anger and hurt rose in her mind, rumbling through her gut and tensing her shoulders. Probably off fucking some buxom bimbo without stretch marks. The unhappiness churned in her gut until she felt as if she’d throw it up. Let it go, he’s not worth it. But the fury remained.

“I don’t know. He left after Holly turned six months old.”

The silence between them thickened with unspoken anger and disgust, but Darius only nodded sharply. “Was he your husband?”

“No.”

“And he left after Holly, your youngest, was born?”

“Yes.” Sabrina turned her head away from him and closed her eyes. She’d been a fool. She’d thought they were in love and believed Tommy wanted her for her. But he’d walked away because her body had changed with the pregnancies. He’d told her he’d only been “trying” the Goddess’s path. Yeah, he’d only been “trying” it for two and a half years, two children, and then ran off with Merrilee Fuckstwice. But I’m not bitter.

“Perhaps it’s something to be grateful for.”

“What?”

“A man who leaves a woman and children is lower than pond scum.” Darius’s teal eyes glittered in the dim light. “But a man who leaves his wife and children is only good for cannon fodder in a losing battle.”

Despite the old anger, Sabrina laughed. “I’ll have to remember that.”

His face creased into a smile. “In the meantime, just rest while I fetch the tea.” He patted her arm and rose.

Sabrina watched him saunter out of her room, wondering for the hundredth time what motivation bubbled around in his head. It made no sense to injure the person he wanted to perform the rituals, but he’d definitely manipulated his way into her home, something he’d expected when he first arrived. On the other hand, he’d saved her from Tír na nÓg without hesitation and swore to protect her and her children before the Goddess.

It’s simply because he can’t have a dead witch to perform the rituals.

She couldn’t argue the point, but her gratitude for his help remained. And he continued to help even now.

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Mid Week Tease - The Beltane Witch - Spells and Vows

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Authors: this is a great opportunity to spotlight a few lines or even a paragraph or two from a new release or backlisted title. Readers: you get to sample some delicious snippets! We’ll do our best to tease, titillate and tantalize you into the weekend.

Today I'm offering snippets from The Beltane Witch, a paranormal romance, and Book 2 in the Cloudburst Colorado series. Sabrina Foxglove gave herself a nasty concussion and Darius is taking care of her, but she doesn't trust him any further than she can spit.

“Be at ease, Lady Foxglove. I have some small skill at preparing tea.” He gave her a sexy, lopsided smile. “Perhaps you’d allow me to care for you a little longer.”

“I don’t really have any choice, do I?” Sabrina eyed his self-assured expression. “You’re here now. You’re not likely to leave short of me physically throwing you out, and I’m in no condition to throw anything.”

Darius shrugged. “I suppose you could always use a banishment spell, but it would seem rather ungrateful since I have helped you.”

“Banishment spell?” Sabrina bit her lip. “What are you talking about?”

He cocked his head. “You don’t know about banishment spells?”

“No. Would it really get rid of you?”

He nodded. “Much like they say revoking permission prevents vampires from entering your dwelling.”

She’d ask about vampires later. “How does it work?”

“If you don’t know the spell, I won’t teach you now.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s imperative I stay and help you ready yourself for the Court’s arrival.” He crossed his arms over his broad chest.

“I don’t know you, Mr. Winterbourne. You’re a stranger and I’ll do everything in my power to protect my children.” She gritted her teeth as she prepared to get up.

“Peace, Lady Foxglove.” He laid a warm hand against her shoulder. “I mean you and your children no harm.”

“How do I know that? Words aren’t very substantial when I know nothing about you.” She shook her head slowly to keep from jarring it. “I’m sorry, I’m used to doing everything myself, and it won’t change just because you think you can do better.”

Darius’s expression turned mutinous, but he tipped his chin up and placed a hand over his heart. “Upon my honor, my family name, and place as the Summer Court’s Chamberlain, I swear I mean you and your family no harm, and I shall do my utmost to help and protect you all.”

A ripple of energy swirled around them and spread throughout the room at the end of his vow.

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Mid Week Tease - The Beltane Witch - Holding His Big Sword

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Authors: this is a great opportunity to spotlight a few lines or even a paragraph or two from a new release or backlisted title. Readers: you get to sample some delicious snippets! We’ll do our best to tease, titillate and tantalize you into the weekend.

Today I'm offering snippets from The Beltane Witch, a paranormal romance, and Book 2 in the Cloudburst Colorado series. Sabrina Foxglove gave herself a nasty concussion and now Darius is taking her home. She suspects ulterior motives, but she's too loopy to fight it.

“She won’t be alone. I’ll be there to help look after her.” Darius’s voice rumbled against Sabrina’s shoulder.

“No, you don’t have to.” She didn’t want him anywhere near her home when she felt so vulnerable.

“I want to, Ms. Foxglove. And it’s no trouble. I’ll be happy to stay as long as you need.”

Sabrina glared at him while the women who’d overheard sighed with “awwws” and “ohhhhs” at his kindness, but she knew his game. His innocent look only added to her frustration.

The sneaky bastard just got into my home and got a free place to stay.

“All right then, we’ll get you home in a blink.”

Moira led them through the kitchen to the back rooms of the bar and gathered her purse, coat, and keys. She hustled them out the door to her snow-dusted Jeep parked beneath a small overhang. Darius set Sabrina in the back seat and climbed in beside her while Moira stepped out to sweep the windshield. Sabrina wondered where he’d put his huge sword, grateful she didn’t have to hold it for him in the car.

Oh, man, that sounds bad. Can I hold your big sword, Darius? She had to stifle a giggle. Thank the Goddess he can’t hear my thoughts.

“All ready?” Moira asked as she started up the Jeep.

“Yes.” Darius brushed her shoulder with his as he sat back, and she inhaled a scented gust of warmth from his jacket.

Sabrina turned her face before he noticed how much she enjoyed it. She let her gaze drift out her window, hoping the drive home would be quick so she could get away from Darius’s sensual allure.

They left the town and headed across the railroad tracks, bumping over two sets of them laid side by side. Her gaze followed them where they merged together in a synchronicity of rails and ties. Sabrina wondered if her life would ever find such a connection, the perfect blending of two life-lines into one continuous path.

She laughed silently at herself. Not likely after Tommy.

She turned her head just enough to glance at Darius’s noble profile.

And not likely with this peacock, either. He’s a player and the Fae’s minion. Definitely not husband material.

Sabrina tried to ignore the flare of pain from her burned belly. Why am I even thinking of husbands? Marty Robinson must have rubbed off on me after his last threat. She sighed and closed her eyes. A woman needs a husband like a zebra needs a frying pan.

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Mid Week Tease - The Beltane Witch - Tir na nOg

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Authors: this is a great opportunity to spotlight a few lines or even a paragraph or two from a new release or backlisted title. Readers: you get to sample some delicious snippets! We’ll do our best to tease, titillate and tantalize you into the weekend.

Today I'm offering snippets from The Beltane Witch, a paranormal romance, and Book 2 in the Cloudburst Colorado series. Sabrina Foxglove knocked herself out at the coffee shop and now she's at an mysterious misty world. Darius has found her, he must convince her to come with him before things get worse.

Sabrina gritted her teeth and flailed for his hand, desperate to reach him. When his warm fingers closed around her frozen skin, relief flooded through her as he drew her into his embrace.

“There you go, acushla.” Darius gathered her into the folds of his coat as he wrapped his arms around her. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”

As soon as she touched him, her lungs expanded and blessedly sweet air filled her chest. Her belly burned and her head ached, but everything paled before the wonderful ability to simply inhale. Never taking it for granted again.

“I couldn’t breathe.” Her voice rasped no louder than a whisper, but any sound made her happy.

“I know, acushla, but you’re all right now. Come, let’s get to solid ground.”

Darius shifted his body to escort her the remaining steps to the terminus before the great tree, never releasing her waist. She kept her gaze focused on the hazy branches, but the scents of autumn leaves baking in the sunshine and pumpkin spices filled her nose. As much as she loved spring, the scents of the harvest season gave her comfort, and his natural scents, mixed with the leather he wore, brought the harvest alive.

Goddess of all, he smells wonderful.

“Sorry?”

Crap. Did she say it aloud? “I said it smells wonderful here now that I can breathe.”

“I’m glad you can. I thought I’d lost you.” Darius’s voice sounded remarkably serious.

“Lost me? So I was dying?” A sick feeling hit Sabrina’s stomach as she reached the tree, touching its marbled bark. “I was that close?”

His teal eyes held no humor. “You stopped breathing when you hit your head.”

Sabrina frowned. “I hit my head?”

“In the coffee house.”

She looked around at the misty environs. “Where are we now, then?”

“At the bridge.”

A rather obvious answer, but she realized he’d capitalized the first letters: The Bridge. She swallowed hard. “Like the Rainbow Bridge of Norse beliefs?”

“The very same.”

Sabrina looked back over her shoulder at the rope bridge disappearing into the mists. “I stood on the other side. I was on Tír na nÓg.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, Goddess, my children.” She clutched his shirt.

“They are well, little witch, and so are you. But we must come back to the conscious world or there will be more trouble than just a little headache.”

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Mid Week Tease - The Beltane Witch - At the Bridge

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Authors: this is a great opportunity to spotlight a few lines or even a paragraph or two from a new release or backlisted title. Readers: you get to sample some delicious snippets! We’ll do our best to tease, titillate and tantalize you into the weekend.

Today I'm offering snippets from The Beltane Witch, a paranormal romance, and Book 2 in the Cloudburst Colorado series. Sabrina Foxglove went to meet her mysterious rescuer at a local coffee shop, but when he pisses her off, she turns to leave. Unfortunately, she trips over her chair and slams her head on a coffee table, knocking herself out. This is where she is now.

Sabrina stood at the foot of a suspension bridge extending into the mists, the cool wetness of spring dripping off the struts of the bridge. Silence of the senses surrounded her. No sounds, tastes, smells or textures shook the stillness. Only foggy sight offered any indication she still existed.

Sabrina frowned.

This had to be a dream because nothing like this stood in Cloudburst. The hazy silhouette of a great tree awaited her at the far end of the bridge, but the distance of the span escaped her estimation. She grasped the guy ropes and squeezed to find some sort of physical purchase, but her hands felt numb.

Where am I and how did I get here?

Memories sifted, as insubstantial as the mists around her. She shook her head to focus her thoughts, but everything swirled away as substantial as smoke. Something was wrong.

Sabrina sought to inhale, to find the scents of spring, but she couldn’t breathe. Panic gripped her mind and her hands tightened on the ropes. Oh Goddess, I can’t breathe! She bent at the waist and tried again, squeezing her eyes shut, but her lungs refused to expand.

Dear Goddess, am I dying? Is that why I’m at the edge of the bridge?

I can’t die! Who would care for her children? Who would protect them?

She wanted to wail her distress, but she had no air to expel sound. She bowed her head and tears fell, scalding her cheeks in fiery trails.

The ropes under her hands vibrated and she stilled, opening her eyes. Raising her head, she stared into the misty expanse of the bridge. A figure materialized half-way along the span, more solid than the rest of this world, and extended his hand out to her. She swallowed hard.

Darius? What is he doing here?

Even in his hazy state, he looked noble and strong. She wanted to believe his appearance meant safety and protection, but standing in the center of the bridge he only represented the unknown.

“Come with me, Sabrina.”

How does he have breath here and I don’t?

“You must focus, my lady. You must make the first step. Come back with me.”

Sabrina shook her head in confusion. Back with him? Back where?

His expression tightened with frustrated concern. “Take the step. Trust me.”

She wanted to scoff, but sound required air. Trust him? I don’t know him.

“Please, Sabrina.”

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Mid Week Tease - The Beltane Witch - Communication is Key

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Authors: this is a great opportunity to spotlight a few lines or even a paragraph or two from a new release or backlisted title. Readers: you get to sample some delicious snippets! We’ll do our best to tease, titillate and tantalize you into the weekend.

Today I'm offering snippets from The Beltane Witch, a paranormal romance, and Book 2 in the Cloudburst Colorado series. Sabrina Foxglove just wants to get home. She really doesn't have time for a handsome guy from the Summer Court of the Fae., but he's not taking no for an answer.

Her nose filled with the scents of leather and pumpkin spice as a warm gloved hand settled over hers. Anger and fear blazed within her. What is wrong with this guy? Can’t he take a hint?

She leveled him with a narrow-eyed glare. “Take your hand off me.”

****

Darius felt the surge of energy around Sabrina as she snarled the words and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Holy Goddess, this little witch had much more power than he’d been led to believe. If she focused all her magic on him, she’d very likely overpower him. She didn’t seem to have the skill to do it, but he decided against testing her just yet.

“Forgive me, Lady Foxglove.” He bowed his head as he removed his hand.

Her shoulders relaxed when he stepped back, but her pale eyes flashed with angry electric purple sparks.

“Perhaps we can speak of this more at your home. It’s cold out tonight and we have much to discuss.”

The tension returned to her frame and her eyes widened. “You think I’m going to let you come to my house? I don’t even know you. I won’t endanger my family. Heck, you carry a huge sword over your damn shoulder.”

“It’s imperative that I speak to you about this.” He didn’t understand her reluctance to accept the great honor she’d been offered.

“Imperative? The only thing that’s imperative is I get home to my kids.” She opened her car door. “And no, you can’t come with me.”

Bloody frustrating woman!

He caught the door before it slammed shut behind her.

“Lady Foxglove. Please.” Damn, it grated to have to beg. “There isn’t much time and the Court will be arriving in a few days. You must be prepared.”

“Tell them to change their plans.” She shrugged. “I don’t have time to entertain the Court. I have brownies to bake for school. I have garlands to make and ribbons to buy. Plus, I have a job. I can’t just take time off. We don’t get paid vacation at Mazie’s. Send them to the Grand Canyon. Now, let go of my door.”

“I cannot!” His temper cracked at her stubbornness. “This is not my honor, but yours. The plans have been laid and it is your destiny to fulfill. I’m merely here to make certain all is prepared for the Court’s arrival.”

“Don’t snap at me just because you didn’t check with me first. I have a life and responsibilities that don’t include you or the Summer Court.” She shook her head and the ponytail of mahogany brown hair slid over her wool encased shoulders. The urge to sift his fingers through it took him by surprise. “Look, success is about communication and you can’t have one without the other. So far, your track record is dismal.”

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Mid Week Tease - The Beltane Witch - Threat Nullified?

 

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Authors: this is a great opportunity to spotlight a few lines or even a paragraph or two from a new release or backlisted title. Readers: you get to sample some delicious snippets! We’ll do our best to tease, titillate and tantalize you into the weekend.

Today I'm offering snippets from The Beltane Witch, a paranormal romance, and Book 2 in the Cloudburst Colorado series. Sabrina Foxglove has just been cornered by 5 men intent on doing something to her when a stranger arrives. And this stranger means business.

“She needs to be taught a lesson. She needs a husband.” Sabrina swore Mr. Frustrated had been dropped on his head as a child.

“Mayhap she does, but this is not the way to convince her,” the dark stranger remarked, amusement in his voice. “Did your fathers teach you nothing about wooing? Flowers, chocolates, perhaps even sweet poetry or jewelry. But never threats or fear.”

“Hey, man, we saw her first.” She knew that voice. Timmy Lewis’s pockmarked face looked ghastly in the weak light. “Go find your own woman.”

Nice to know she held some value to the local male population.

A deafening silence settled around them. No one moved for a few seconds, but the energy in the little parking lot shifted from tolerant amusement to icy disdain. In a flurry of motion, the stranger swept the feet out from under Mr. Frustrated, slammed Timmy into one of his cronies until they slumped to the ground, held the fourth man in a choke hold, and had a long dagger blade pressed against Marty’s throat by the time he stilled.

He’d positioned himself between her and the others and she got a good look at his back. The sword in its leather scabbard hung to his hips and she thanked her lucky stars it remained sheathed. The wide expanse of his shoulders assured her he could wield it, probably faster and stronger than the propeller on an airplane. His arms, one holding the gasping man and the other holding the dagger, never wavered.

“Now would be an excellent time to gather your friends and retreat to your mothers’ skirts.” The words came out in a growl and Sabrina shivered. “Go. Now.”

The stranger released the man he held, and Mr. Frustrated, Marty, and Choke-Hold scrambled to retrieve their two fallen comrades and retreated back toward Main Street. The hooded man watched them go, big, powerful, and menacing in his stillness. When their footsteps faded from hearing, he turned to her and offered her a gloved hand.

“Let’s get you home, Ms. Foxglove.” His voice encouraged trust.

Sabrina looked at his hand then up at his face for a long time while she waited for her heart to stop pounding. She’d just watched him kick ass on five guys in an icy parking lot, and he expected her to trust he meant her no harm?

On the other hand, he looks fast enough to catch me if I run.

Biting her lip, she reached out to grasp his hand. The warm leather engulfed her frozen fingers and she felt dwarfed by his size. Her hand looked like it belonged to a small child’s in his and he tugged her up, guiding her away from the black ice.

“Thanks.” She tried to pull her hand away as soon as she gained her feet.

His grip tightened and he dragged her closer to his hooded face. “They were right in one respect. It’s not safe for you to be walking alone at night.”

“Thank you for the reminder.” Goddess save her from nosy men. Her reactionary anger surged. “And you just helped so much by embarrassing them in front of their friends. Now they’ll be after me because of it.” She shook her head and tugged at her hand again.

“There are greater concerns than that now.” He released her, gesturing with his free hand toward her van. “Perhaps we could discuss them on the way to your home.”

Sabrina followed the line of his arm with her eyes then looked back into the darkness of his hood.

“What makes you think I’ll let you in my car with me?” She snorted. “I don’t even know you. Yeah, you beat off those guys, but it only proves you’re much stronger than me. Why would I trust you?”

“I just saved you.” He gestured, palms up, as if his words explained everything.

“So? I said thanks. Who are you? And how do you know my name?”

He hesitated for a moment, nonplussed. Then he pushed back his hood to reveal his face in the weak light of the bare bulb.

Good heavens, he’s beautiful.

Long, straight hair parted haphazardly and fell to his shoulders, the front strands pushed behind his ears to keep it out of his eyes. The eyes were some light color, but she couldn’t tell which one in the darkness of the parking lot. They had heavy lids and crow’s feet at their corners, telling of his experience. A goatee framed his elegant lips and deep laugh lines at their edges gave him a humorous expression, though he didn’t smile. He had eloquently arching brows, one higher than the other in amused query.

“My name is Darius Winterbourne, Chamberlain of the Summer Court, and I’ve been sent to prepare you for the Court’s arrival.”

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Mix Up Some Romance Blog Hop

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for the Mix Up Some Romance Blog Hop.

Ah fall. This is my favorite time of year and the best time to be in the kitchen baking up goodies. Why? Heats up the house without any extra effort. :D At this time of year when the weather is heading toward cold, sometimes the simple act of baking and cooking leads to healing of both heart and body. It's the case in my paranormal romance, The Beltane Witch, where a little magic, mayhem, and motherhood can ease anyone's heart.

I love baking so today I'm sharing one of my favorite recipes (and Mr. SM drools each time I make these).

RECIPE: CHOCOLATE CHIP KISS COOKIES

•  48 Hershey's Kisses (I use the Special Dark, but any kind of Kisses will do)
• 1 cup (2 sticks) of butter or margarine, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
• Chocolate Drizzle, recipe follows (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 F. Remove rappers from Kisses.
2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until well-blended.
3. Add flour to butter mixture and blend until smooth. Stir in small chocolate chips.
4. Mold teaspoon's worth of dough around each chocolate Kiss, covering completely. Roll between hands into a ball. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet (I usually put them on foil).
5. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool for two minutes, then remove from sheet to a wire rack and cool completely. Makes 48 cookies.

This is where I usually stop since the drizzle is extra and not necessary for the deliciousness of the cookies. But if you'd like to add it:
 
Directions for Chocolate Drizzle:

• Place 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl.
• Microwave at Medium (50%) for 30 seconds, stir.
• Microwave at Medium an additional 10 seconds at a time, stirring each time, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Drizzle over completely cooled cookies.

Can you imagine eating these things with your lover? Should cure all ills. ;) And speaking of ills, check out this excerpt of magic, mayhem, and motherhood.

EXCERPT of The Beltane Witch

“What preparations do you usually make?” Darius sipped his tea as if they’d shared breakfast hundreds of times.

Sabrina rubbed her head and tried to think. “Give me a moment. My head still hurts.”

“How much?”

“Sorry?”

“How much does it hurt?” He set down his mug and stood, reaching for her head.

“More of a dull ache than anything. Oohhhh…”

The moment he touched her, comfort and heat permeated her skull and soothed the pain. She hadn’t realized how much it hurt until he relieved it. She relaxed her shoulders and leaned into his warm hands, grateful the pain had stopped.

At last he stood back and tipped her chin up. Sabrina reluctantly opened her eyes.

“Better?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Darius smiled the same sincere smile she’d seen the day before. “You are welcome.”

Damn, she wanted to fall into those eyes, let him tell her everything would be all right and believe him. Why can’t life be so easy? But she knew better. She’d be alone again in a few days.

Sabrina jerked her attention back to the subject at hand. “Okay, what I usually do is make sure there’s enough firewood for the fire, attach the ribbons to the May Pole, and make two dozen Deviled Eggs.”

“Eggs seem like an odd feast item for a fertility ritual of the Goddess.”

“Maybe, but they taste so good and we have to do something with all those eggs from Easter.”

Darius raised his eyebrow. “You celebrate Easter?”

“Yes, at least dyeing the eggs and hiding them for the girls. And we have baskets full of goodies to enjoy.”

“Oh? What’s in your basket, Sabrina?”

The way he said her name sent fire into inappropriate places. Her pussy tingled and her heartbeat sped up. What is wrong with me? All he did was say my name.

She cleared her throat and sucked down her tea to buy some time. “I prefer chocolate and essential oils, but sometimes all I get are jellybean eggs.”

He leaned toward her, his gaze smoldering, and some part of her wondered how the morning had gone from comfortable to sexy. “I’d be happy pack your basket with chocolate and essential oils, Sabrina. I find it very endearing you choose to celebrate all the holidays.” His gaze dropped to her lips and her pussy clenched.

Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me.

Darius tilted his head and reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. A small smile curled his lips as he cupped her cheek with his hand and drew her to him.

Darius brushed his lips against hers and her arousal hit the ceiling. He tasted of crisp autumn mornings, her favorite time of year, and she wanted to fall into his sweet flavor. She would have kept kissing if she hadn’t heard the furnace rattle and the girls loudly discussing who would put which wreath where. Reality intruded and Sabrina jerked back, her face hot.

Darius wore a similar dazed expression and they stared at each other for a few moments, trying to recollect their thoughts.

What am I doing? He’s a seductive player, a gigolo, and all he wants from me is to do the rituals. None of this is real.

“What are you doing?”

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So there you have it. Now for the good parts. The Grand Prize is the KitchenAid mixer for all your cooking and baking needs, and you must sign up through the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. In addition, I'm offering a $10 Amazon gift card to a random commenter. To enter to win, please leave your Twitter handle or email address along with a comment answering this question: What is your favorite autumn baked treat?

You must be 18 years or older to win, and the mixer is only available to US residents. If you live outside the US and your name is drawn, you'll be awarded $100 Amazon gift card instead. Please void where prohibited. The drawing closes at 11:59 Eastern US Time October 10th 2014. To get to the other blogs on this hop, follow the link below. Good luck and happy reading! :)

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Mid Week Tease - The Beltane Witch - Cornered

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Authors: this is a great opportunity to spotlight a few lines or even a paragraph or two from a new release or backlisted title. Readers: you get to sample some delicious snippets! We’ll do our best to tease, titillate and tantalize you into the weekend.

Today I'm offering snippets from The Beltane Witch, a paranormal romance, and Book 2 in the Cloudburst Colorado series. Sabrina Foxglove is just your average single mom trying to make ends meet. Unfortunately, there are a few in her town who see her as a problem, and are taking - odd - steps to rectify the situation.

“You should have a man to take care of you, Sabrina. Single women with children are an affront to God. You'll never enter Heaven.” Marty voice approached reasonable, but his eyes glowed with an unhealthy zeal.

“Hey, you know, I'm not really worried about it.” Where had she parked her damn van? “Thanks for the concern though.”

The men moved closer, trying to circle her before she could reach her car. The wind blew the scents of cold blacktop and spilled gasoline past her and she wished she’d parked closer to the building. So much for getting more exercise. I should’ve taken kickboxing. Her eyes darted around to see any visible weapon she could use to hold them off other than her keys, but she saw nothing. Not even a damn snowball.

Winter’s continued grip on the Rockies sent a cold breeze eeling down her back as her heel came down on a patch of black ice. Her foot shot out from under her and she slammed to the cold pavement on her butt. Cold seeped in through her pants and filled the crannies of her heart.

Glory be, I'm so screwed.

Fear surged as the men closed on her. How would she get home to her daughters? How could she face them after these men did…whatever they were going to do? She wouldn't allow herself to even name the heinous acts groups of men did to women in the dark.

“Now we're gonna teach you why you need a man.”

Marty’s expression shifted to rabid as he reached for her. She gritted her teeth and tightened her grip on the keys. If they chose to do this, she’d make sure they’d remember how hard they worked to get her to submit.

“Five men against one woman is a little unorthodox and unfair, don’t you think?”

The deep masculine voice floated out of the darkness of the alley they’d left behind. Her attackers turned to look over their shoulders, their bodies tense.

Sabrina couldn’t see much at first, just a blacker shadow among the rest. A tall male form emerged into the edge of the light wearing a long black trench coat with a wide hood over his head. He had leather gloves on his hands and heavy black boots on his feet to protect him from the spring cold in the mountains. The hilt of a very large sword rose over his left shoulder, held there by an ornate leather strap embroidered with oak leaves across his chest.

Oh Goddess, who the hell is this?

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