Hounded Release Day!

Pain exploded through Poe Madigan’s right cheek and eye. She slammed into the concrete wall, crying out when her shoulder hit with more vibrating agony, everything fragmenting into multi-colored pieces with layers of disconnection and disorientation. Shock coursed through her in a surreal I-feel-like-I’m-watching-from-a-distance way as she crumpled face down.

What the hell…?

A man. Above her. Masked? Had he punched her in the face? Where had he come from?

Edgar, the larger of her two Jack Russells, went crazy. He leapt at the man’s face and latched onto the mask concealing her attacker’s identity, the weight of the small dog dragging at the man’s torso. Allan’s ferocious barking peppered with mixed growls indicated he’d joined the fray. The signal to Poe’s brain to get up and fight short-circuited. Dazed and immobile from the blow, she could only watch helplessly.

A muzzy thought drifted along the edges of her awareness. Could this have something to do with that awful note someone had shoved under her door?

The man swung his arm and dislodged Edgar. Her dog cried out with a sharp yelp, and she tried again to get up. Edgar was hurt. She needed to help him. The man put his foot into the middle of her back and trapped her against the dirty pavement. He yanked at her purse, which was fortunately partially jammed underneath her. No way! He couldn’t have her too-cool zombie bag. Much too trendy for this lowlife scum. As he reached for the straps and tried to jerk her off the purse, Allan snapped at his hand, slashing it with his teeth.

Her attacker backed off, cursing and swatting at Allan, but the dog was too quick. Allan went for the man’s pant legs, shredding the fabric with his sharp little teeth while Edgar launched himself at him again. Someone shouted, but Poe couldn’t make out the words over the ringing in her ears. The sounds of her dogs attacking receded. Then someone touched her, making her flinch—no, wait, this was a helping touch, trying to find out if she was okay. She finally let go and drifted toward sooty blackness.

She jerked awake. One of the EMTs was talking to her in low, soothing tones as they loaded her into an ambulance, the glare of the blue revolving light making her head hurt. She thought she’d answered his questions, and he seemed satisfied.  Suddenly her throat closed up and lucidity rushed at her, tightening her chest. Where were her boys?

“Wait,” she cried out, trying to rise, but the doors closed with finality.

One More Day!

The rows of different apples made her feel like a demented Snow White. She was sure Snow never wore razor blade earrings and a red leather, spiked dog collar, though.

“In that apple dress and those kick-ass heels, you look like a lethal Betty Boop. Makes a man want to know if one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.”

Pi woof. One big, infinite woof!

She focused on his lips, and he stepped closer, smelling earthy and musky. She really liked cerebral guys, she told herself to stave off more tingles, but it was like trying to stop a raging flood with a bucket. No barrier at all. And all that testosterone was going to be releasing in her apartment every day for three weeks.  She hoped she could keep her hands off him.

“I should get my shower,” he said absently, now looking at her lips.

She nodded and waited a heartbeat too long for him to move first. He didn’t.

So they were officially staring at each other now. The sudden silence of the Y, devoid of the raucous sounds of men grunting and sweating, made the cavernous gym seem intimate. There was nothing but silence until the next pick-up game.

A silence that swelled in a way that boosted the potency in the very air between them. Heat radiated off his moist skin.
“Later, Taylor!”

Jared jerked and turned around and waved as Poe took a step back.

“Shower,” he grunted, pointing towards the locker room as if words were beyond his ability right now.

She nodded.

And she plopped down onto the bench because her wobbly knees just couldn’t hold her upright any longer.

Would it be immature and totally geeky if she bolted right now? Wait, no, she couldn’t. The whole reason she was here was to help her mom. That was her mission and should be the only thing she was focusing on. So no more touching clavicles—or anything else for that matter—even if they were a fine specimen of a horizontal bone.

Oh shit! She was doing it again. Shaking herself, she spent five minutes trying to eradicate the effect Jared had on her. Then bam, Jared came though the locker room door and all her composure went flying out the proverbial window.

Seeing him with his hair wet, his gym bag slung over his shoulder and the biceps on that arm pronounced, it took her a full minute to move. But she shook it off like a fighter with a near-miss KO and did her best to look nonchalant and cool as she walked toward him.

Two More Days!

Three More Days!

From the shapely mounds of her breasts, it was a hop and skip up the satiny skin of her throat to the profile of her face, from the elegant angle of her jaw to the deep purple lipstick on her lips.  Geezus, he didn’t trust himself to stare at that mouth. For survival reasons, he moved on to the rest of her striking details—smooth, pale cheeks, a pert nose, and thickly lashed and darkly outlined eyes, almond-shaped, sultry.

Hoo-yah. She was gorgeous.

He felt it like a physical ache in his heart.

She shivered delicately. Had she sensed him ogling her, or was she truly cold?

From a very interesting zombie bag she produced the tiniest black lace wrap he’d ever seen. It fit over her arms and draped in ruffled folds beside each breast. It fit like a glove, and after it was on, she did one of those simply ultimate female things for which the common male simply had no protection—she slid one manicured hand up around the back of her neck and with the utmost unconscious grace, fluffed her hair, the black nail polish catching the overhead lights. The next move was also filled with so much fluid, female style. The head toss to settle her midnight dark hair in place, artlessly performed with mesmerizing skill.

And she did him in.

He waited to see what else she had in her bag of tricks—and so help him God, when she moved, it blindsided him—turning towards the door, she saw him.  When she made eye contact, she smiled. It was a genuine smile, which made it all the more dazzling, especially for a woman who had just recently been attacked.

For a man of stealth, a Marine who’d had to live and breathe evasion and concealment, to be so caught off-guard was astonishing.

One long-legged, spike-heeled stride after another, she walked toward him, towing the two Jack Russells with her. She pushed the door open and tilted her head.

Unbelievably, he found himself steeling his heart against the sound of her voice. The sultry welcome of her stunning cobalt blue eyes was only eclipsed by that voice.

Four More Days!

Disclaimer:  The author takes no responsibility for what The Terrible Two do in the course of this story, but will take full responsibility for all the Laugh Out Louds, deep belly laughs, hoots, hollers, any and all sniggering, guffaws, and general hysterical outbursts. You've been warned.

Five More Days!

Hounded is the third book in my Going to the Dogs Series and features Poe Madigan and her Terrible Twos, her rambunctious Jack Russell terriers.  My hero, former Marine, Jared Taylor struggles with his conscience and his unexpected reaction to what was supposed to have been a simple favor.  It releases on June 17, 2013!  Five days away and counting!

Choose Callie's Cake and Win...Cake!

Callie is dragging her feet about choosing a wedding cake and she needs your help.  Yikes, her wedding is only weeks away.  So, she's offering prizes for your votes!  The winning cake will be featured in Collared, the last book in my Going to the Dogs Series.

The Prizes:

An e-book copy of Hounded and Six Cake Pops

An e-book copy of Hounded and a Cupcake Mug

An e-book copy of Hounded

Here are the rules.  You must go to my Pinterest Board and comment on the cake you want to see win.  You can only vote on one cake.  Secondly, you must come to this blog and leave a comment that you voted along with your email address..  That's it!  There are other things you can do for more points so you'll have more chances to win.  Also, if you're so inclined share, share everywhere so others can eat cake!  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal Squee!: Hounded!

I'm letting the dogs out again!  Poe and Jared are almost here in Book #3 of my Going to the Dogs Series, Hounded! I’ve been so excited to show you this cover. I think it’s soooo cute! I hope you love it as much as I do! Thank you so much to Julie at A Tale of Many Reviews Tours for arranging the cover reveal today. If you see it around, please comment, retweet and share so we can get the word out to everyone.  And, if you see those two rascals, Edgar and Allan, please help to keep them in check.  I understand they'll get you to do tricks for treats.  I mean they'll trick you out of treats.  Wait, no, they'll do tricks for treats.  Okay, maybe you should run in the other direction if you see them.

This cover was designed by the fabulous Robin Ludwig at Robin Ludwig Design.

Please take a moment to add Hounded to your Goodreads Shelf!

Genre:  Contemporary Romantic Comedy/Mystery
 

Release Date:  June 17, 2013
 

Description:
 

I’ll get you and your little dogs, too!

Veterinarian Poe Madigan enters The Fur Ball with her Jack Russell terriers (aka The Terrible Two) to compete for a substantial cash prize that will keep her mother from losing her home.  But when her fabulous partner sprains his ankle, Poe must trade him and his talented Bichon for a sexy, muscle-bound hunk who can't dance and his Basset Hound, Lazy Daisy. If that's not enough to make her despair, it seems The Terrible Two have angered someone and they're receiving death threats!

Security specialist Jared Taylor promises one of Poe's friends that he will go undercover as her dog dancing partner to protect her from danger.  He didn't expect to find his staid, traditional life would be turned all topsy-turvy and he would find a soft spot for a neglected hound and fall for a Goth princess.  But when he reveals who he really is and why he is in Poe’s life will it destroy the foundation of trust they’ve built?  Could he lose the real prize - Poe?

I’d love to hear what you think in the comments. I was so happy to finish this book to share with you, but so sad to let Poe and Jared go.  Thankfully, I'll get to let you know what happens with them in the last book in the series, Collared!  I’m already in love with tough and sexy Detective Caleb Shaw. You’re going to love him, too!

Check back tomorrow for details on a fabulous contest where you can win cake!  Yum!  Don't miss out!

For other books in the series, check out Leashed for Callie and Owen's story and Groomed for Murder for Brooke and Drew's story.

It's almost time to release the hounds!

Woof!

Book Lovers' Buffet: Bouquet of Books Sale!

May 1-3, 3 days only! 150 books, great authors for only .99 each!  Visit www.bookloversbuffet.net 

Here's a snippet of The Beckoning of Beautiful Things by Calinda B.

"Turn on the Lights.  Let your electricity flow."

"Are you sure?"

"Just try it. We can stop it if it gets to be too much.

She swallowed, closed her eyes. Pigment infused with electricity. Brilliant electric flashes. Northern lights. Lightning storms. Sensation surged through her limbs, and her eyes shot open. Electromagnetic impulses arched and sizzled along her skin with a color display like the Aurora Borealis. The color drops splashed to the ground with a hot sizzle. "Mega wow."

"How does it feel?"

"It's shooting up and down my neck.  It's like your mouth sliding up and down my neck, buzzing with current."

And here is a snippet of my WIP, Hounded, Book #3 in the Going to the Dogs Series. Available in June!  Leashed, Book #1 is part of the sale and is only .99!  See where it all started.

She rose, smoothing out the full skirt of the apple motif dress she wore.  The rows of different apples made her feel like a demented snow white.  She was sure Snow never wore razor blade earrings though.  One of the guys punched him in the shoulder and he smiled and headed her way.

“Hey,” he said as he approached, sweat running down over the tantalizing planes of his cheekbones, to his hard jaw.  Normally she wouldn’t find that intriguing, but it slipped down his thick neck and rode along his clavicle, soaking into his t-shirt.

“Did you know the clavicle is the only bone in the human body that lies horizontally?”

“Huh?”

Oh God.  Had she said that out loud?  The…clavicle…um…collarbone.  She reached up and slid her fingertips along the ridge of bone, his skin moist, warm and soft.  Then she wanted to smack herself in the head.  She jerked her hand away.  What possessed her to touch him?  Compulsion.  Sheer stupidity.  Her awkward social skills?

“I like your clavicle, too,” he said softly and there went her lungs again, compressing from his g-force-like voice.  In that dress and those kick ass heels, you look like a bad ass Betty Boop.  Good enough to eat.”

Some of the featured authors are:

Me, of course!

Lisa Kessler

Laura Kaye

Gemma Halliday

Amanda Brice

and many more!

There will be prizes as well! Enter here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Leashed is Unleashed!

Leashed is free for a limited only!  What's not to like.  Great Dane love, human love, puppy love.  Will all this love lead to happily ever after?  Check it out for yourself.  It's Free!

Here's the blurb:

And they call it puppy love!

When Jack falls head-over-paws for cute and cuddly Jill next door -- that creamy coat, those soft brown eyes, and, yowza, those long legs, he simply cannot help himself.  Bing, bang, boom, a few weeks later, Jack has some 'splaining to do when that cute female is with puppies.  Jack's going to be a father, trouble is his lady love's owner and his owner need a little shove into love.  Being a large and in-charge Great Dane, that's no problem for Jack.  With a little cooperation and a little matchmaking, some nudging, whining and puppy dog eyes, hopefully, everyone will live happily ever after together.

Don't miss the second book in the series that begins where Leashed left off...

Groomed for Murder

Here's the blurb:

Can a dog have a bad hair day?

​​Brooke Palmer owns Pawlish, an exclusive doggie spa and grooming business in upper Manhattan, but when a client’s champion poodle gets a bad poodle cut and has to undergo therapy to recover, the client sues.  The lawyer they send is drop dead gorgeous, but Brooke won't be wooed by a corporate shark in a sharp suit.​

​Corporate lawyer Drew Hudson has better things to do then take on this ridiculous lawsuit, but since he works for the client’s husband, he has no choice.  After meeting the beautiful, sweet-tempered owner, he can’t keep his mind on the silly case.  But when the client turns up dog gone dead, Brooke may be a conflict of interest when she’s charged with the murder.  All Drew wants to do is prove that this sexy entrepreneur is not dangerous, except to his heart.

Can she take a chance on him?

But there's more...Hounded book #3 will be out this summer.

Here's the blurb:

 

I’ll get you and your little dogs, too!

Veterinarian Poe Madigan enters The Fur Ball with her Jack Russell terriers (aka The Terrible Two) to compete for a cash prize that will keep her mother from losing her home.  But when her fabulous partner sprains his ankle, Poe must trade him and his talented Bichon for a muscle-bound hunky jock who can't dance and his Basset Hound named Lazy Daisy.  He's so not her type.  If that's not enough to make her despair, it seems The Terrible Two have angered someone and they're receiving death threats!

​Security specialist Jared Taylor promises one of Poe's friends that he will go undercover as her dog dancing partner to protect her from danger.  What he didn't expect was to find that his staid, traditional life could be turned all topsy-turvy and he would find a soft spot for a neglected hound and fall for a Goth princess.  But will his omission of who he really is and his motivation  ruin the real prize - Poe?

The cover reveal is on June 1, 2013!  The Terrible Two....I mean Poe Madigan gets her story...okay she'll have to share it with her two precocious Jack Russell terriers.  But something tells me it'll end up in a happily ever after.