Take The A-Train-er-Autumn Blog Hop!

Do you have a favorite fall memory linked to a train? What do you imagine you would see if you were riding a train in the fall? Join the authors of Wild CHild publishing and Freyas Bower as we Take an Autumn Train Ride through our blogs.

Prizes will include

• Four $50 gift certificates (two for Wild Child and two Freya's Bower)
• An awesome swag package that includes:
• Bookmarks
• Books
• Wild Child T-shirt and mug
• Wild Child and Freya's Bower bags
• Four handmade, crochet coasters by Kit Wylde
• An autographed copy of Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
• A rare DVD copy of the Matheson/Furst classic "Up The Creek" (lovingly used)
• One ebook copy of Nita Wick’s short story, The Dream (previously published as part of a Freya's Bower anthology.)
• Book trading cards
• Signed Dangerous Waters poster
• of "Battle for Blood: The Blood Feud"
• winner's name as a character in Kissa Starling’s next sweet romance story.
• A Yankee Candle
• more...

Chance Encounter
by
Kenzie Michaels

She gazed at the majestic black engine, fourteen feet tall and ninety feet long.  For years the NKP 587 steam locomotive had held wonderful memories.  The first time she had climbed behind the controls and pretended to be the engineer.  The first time she dared to slide down the coal chute.  The first time she balanced precariously on the top, feeling like a giant and pretending to be a train robber.

But this time, she had come to say goodbye to her old friend.  For years the engine had sat in Broadripple Park in Indianapolis, just two blocks from her grandmother's house.  One of the happiest days of her life had been the day she was allowed to walk to the park alone.  No rocket slides for this gal; no, her love was the locomotive.  But now the engine was off to new beginnings.  A library now sat where the engine had been housed for most of her young life, and this is why she'd made the trip to Nobleville, to the transportation museum.  Here it would make one last run before being shipped to another home.

She gazed at the coal car, now filled to the brim.  Oh, how she'd love for it to be empty again, to take one last slide down, and see if it was as steep as she remembered.  She walked around the to the side and climbed up to the engine's door, taking one last nostalgic climb around to the front and along the side.

"I'm going to miss her when she's gone," said a deep male voice.

She turned her head to see the dark-haired man perched on the ladder.  "Did you used to climb on her at Broadripple too?"  She made her way closer to the engine's door.

He joined her on the catwalk and stroked the side of the nose.  "I sure did.  Every chance I got.  I even met my wife there."

"That's amazing.  So the two of you played together as children, or did you meet in high school and use it as your secret hideout?"

He laughed.  "You know, I owe it all to a stranger.  I'd gone to the park to meet a girl I'd never met, but spoke to on the phone."  He picked his way to the front, carefully setting one foot in front of the other.  "But when I arrived, this skinny kid-she couldn't have been more than twelve-was climbing out of the coal car.  Remember how we could slide down the coal chute?  Anyway, she looks at me and says, 'If your name is Brian, your girlfriend's too afraid to meet you.  She asked me to meet you instead and ask you a bunch of questions.'  Then she pulled a sheet of paper out of the pocket of her shorts and proceeds to grill me on likes and dislikes.  Halfway through-"

"Your girlfriend came out of the coal car and said she'd heard enough; you seemed like a decent guy."

His jaw dropped.  "How the hell-"

She smiled.  "I'm guessing you're Brian and you ended up marrying Nancy, whom I met when I was fourteen?"  She stuck out her hand.  "Nice to meet you officially, Brian."

Question:  
Have you ever switched places with a friend, to 'test out' the blind date? 

Welcome to my world!  One lucky commenter will win his/her choice of my back list:)  So browse through the covers and pick the one which appeals to you the most. Don't forget to leave your choice and your contact info in your comment!

The Anderson Chronicles (trilogy).....

When Amber Johnson agrees to fill in as a last-minute chef of a dinner party, she is surprised to learn the client is none other than her ex-boyfriend, Marc Denton. The kitchen sizzles with their unfinished business; will the flames of love reignite, or will Marc’s scheming father succeed in keeping them apart?

Marc and Amber are furious when they discover lies that have kept them apart for three years. With Amber by his side again, will Marc find the courage to stand up to his father and hold on to his true love?

Buy link:
Freya's  Bower

Amazon


Nook


ARE

After being burned pretty badly by two different women in his past, Brian Vellinger has sworn off romance. Commitment-shy for the past fifteen years, he is stunned by his sudden attraction to a woman he's not seen since the last day of their senior year.

Natalie Collier thinks she's successfully put Brian Vellinger out of her mind. After harboring a secret crush all through high school and into college, she is both alarmed and thrilled when Brian makes his intentions known at their 25th class reunion. But will she succeed in softening his casual, 'sex only' policy, or will she end up just another notch on his belt?

Buy links:
Freya's Bower

Amazon

Nook

Austin Harmon is intrigued by his quiet, efficient new administrative assistant. Why does she have an obsession with her watch, and what does she do after hours?

Cara has put her social life on hold while caring for her elderly mother. But after her boss helps her through a crisis, she can't deny their attraction. Romance and Alzheimer's don't mix... or do they?

Buy Links:
Freya's Bower

Amazon

Nook

Teacher's Pet is a stand-alone, and happens to be my best-seller!

What happens when you discover the man you had mind-blowing sex with three months ago is your son's teacher?  Tammy Saunders is horrified when she realizes the man who set her heart racing is her son's favorite teacher.  With one bad relationship behind her, will she trust her heart again, or will she continue to deny her feminine side?
 
And is this particular teacher popular only with his students?  Kevin has made some bad choices in his life, but sleeping with not only one, but now two, of his students' mothers, has got to be the worst mistake he ever made. Especially when he realizes he's lost his heart to one of them...

Buy link:
Freya's Bower

Amazon

Nook 

Please visit these sites for more chances to win, the more you visit the more chances you have to win. We have 46 participating authors. You can stop at as many or as little blogs as you wish. At each stop, you will find either two chances to enter per blog to win some awesome prizes. If you visit all, that's 92 chances to win! There will be five, lucky winners.

Take the Blog Train and Visit These Blogs for more chances to win
Marci Baun/Kit Wylde
Critters at the Keyboard
Teresa D'Amario
Judith Leger, Fantasy and Comtemporary Romance Author
Writing
The Fictional World of Jaime Samms
Follow Where the Path will Take You
The Wandering Mind of Lizzy P. Bellows
Where Love and Magic Meet
Kissa Starling
Marianna Heusler
Hell's Ambrosia
C.M. Michaels
The Shadow Portal
The Blog Zone
Blog By iMagine
Ardyth DeBruyn Author Blog
Shadows of the Past
Dear Reader
Cassie Exline -- Mystery and Romance
Sarcastic Rambling & Writing
That's What I Think
Sue's Random Ramblings
Make Old Bones
Elements of Mystery
Molly Dean's Blog
Kenzie's Place
The Forbidden Blog
David Huffstetler
Cassandra Ulrich
Carol Marvell
Andrew Richardson
Nick Lloyd
Fiddleeebod -- land of stories
Nita Wick's Blog
Ruth G. Zavitsanos
Too Poor for Texas
Jenn Nixon
City of Thieves
Musings and Doodles
Husein
The Western Writer
Bike Cop Blog
The Character Depot
Allen Currier
Tracy Holohan

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SCP Blog Hop

Welcome to the SCP Blog Hop!  For a complete list of participating authors, please visit the SCP Blog.  Happy Hopping!

My family and I took a vacation to Estes Park, Colorado, in order to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary.  We had a wonderful time, and I even began writing a sequel to my latest release, Wild At Heart, since part of that book takes place in Estes Park and showcases Nicky's Steakhouse, where we held our celebration.

We also had a bittersweet moment, when we saw the booth where my grandmother, who passed away in 2011, 'held court' during breakfast in 2002.  She would arrive and order her meal, then various family members would drift in and out until we planned our excursion for the day.

Here's the family picture:  Front Row, L-R:  Nephew D (10), Mom (it was also her 71st b-day), Niece R (7), Dad, granddaughter A (age 1), Son W (9).  Back Row:  Sister W, Son K (21); me, Spouse D (59); Daughter S (19)

For your reading enjoyment, here's the scene at Nicky's, where Emma tries to put Brad in his place.

. Gavin encouraged him to try a beer labeled Stella Artois. As they sipped their beverages and enjoyed hot Buffalo wings, Emma appeared. Her damp hair was caught up in a silver clip, and dark blonde ringlets cascaded down her back. Her cowboy boots sounded firm on the wooden floor as she walked toward the men, her slight frame clad in black jeans and a loose red shirt. Brad felt his mouth go dry when he realized there was no bra under that shirt, and had to keep tearing his eyes away from the glimpse of cleavage when she greeted Gavin. She slid into the chair beside the older man, and Brad shifted uncomfortably every time she leaned forward.

Emma reached for the hot wings Gavin had ordered and told the waitress to bring her a Coors.

“Gavin likes that crap, but I prefer to stick with a Colorado beer,” she stated as Brad shifted in his seat again. “Something wrong, Mr. Morrison?”

“No, no. It’s just I’ve had too much good food the past two days,” he lied.

“Don’t they feed you back home?” Emma stretched her arm back and patted Gavin on the back. Brad swallowed at the sight of her nipples through the fabric and looked away. Keep breathing, remember Angie…

“Actually, my girlfriend is quite a cook.” Brad managed to get his tongue working. He reached for a wing at the same time she did, and as their fingers brushed, Brad felt an electric jolt all the way to his groin.

“Maybe she doesn’t feed you enough,” Gavin laughed, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents.

Brad was spared by the appearance of the waitress, ready to take their orders. Brad and Gavin ordered the Prime Rib; Emma opted for the shrimp scampi. Brad ordered another beer, and then excused himself to the men’s room, hoping to get his raging hormones under control.

Wild At Heart can be purchased at Secret Cravings, Amazon, and B&N. 

Want to win your copy of Wild At Heart?  Let me know which of my six covers you like the best and why:)

Final Stop! Are You Enjoying Yourself?

Final destination today is Book Freak:) At the end of the day, not only will a comment win a free download of my back list, but two more comments will be chosen from ALL comments this week for a download of Class Reunion plus a $10 Amazon AND a $10 Freya's Bower GC.

Excerpt:
“It’s…been a long time for me, Austin, so go easy?”

“Anything you want,” he promised. He eased a hand between her thighs and stroked her damp petals, kissing her when she jumped. Moist heat closed around his finger as she panted. He slipped in another finger and was rewarded with a small cry of delight. God she was tight! He teased her some more with his fingers before withdrawing and slipping the tip of his latex-lined cock into her. “Are you sure you’re not a virgin?” He gasped as her muscles gripped him.

“Maybe it grew back?” Cara slid her palms up his arms and guided his lips back to hers, spreading her legs wide and arching upwards. “Ohhhh…”


“Sweet Jesus.”

Welcome To Day #4!

Come on over to Harlie's Book Blog:) I always have a good time over there so here's hoping she doesn't disappoint me!

Plus, a very Happy Birthday to my mom!  This time last year, she underwent hernia surgery, so to have her up and walking around, pain-free this year is HUGE relief!

Excerpt:
Austin captured her once inside the darkened office and swung her into his arms for another kiss.  Her shoes hit the floor as she moaned, and felt his tongue slip past her teeth.

Cara struggled and tore her mouth from his.  “Wait. This can’t be happening.”

“Why not?  I’ve enjoyed the past two weeks of getting to know you.  I’d like to get to know you a little better, that’s all.”  Austin pulled her back and covered her mouth with his.

She hesitated a moment.  How long had it been since her last kiss?  It’d been two years since David had broken up with her, not understanding her responsibilities to her mother.  With a muffled groan, Cara tossed her purse to the floor and twined her arms around his neck.  Moisture pooled between her thighs as his tongue explored the corners of her mouth.  She eagerly returned the kiss, and was rewarded when one of Austin’s hands slid upwards to palm her breast.  Cara didn’t pull away; soon his cool fingers slid inside her bodice and nudged the lace of her bra aside.  She moaned when he rolled the nipple between two fingers and pressed herself closer to him.  Dimly in the background, she heard the vague tones of Bette Midler singing “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

“Wait. My phone’s ringing.  Austin,” she pleaded and forced herself to pull away.

“Can’t you ignore it?” He panted, reaching for her waist.

“I can’t.  This one is important.”  Cara stepped to the side and fumbled with the clasp with shaking hands.  Doreen wouldn’t have called unless something happened!  One look at the clock on the outside told her it was past ten o’clock.  “Hi, it’s Cara.”  She cleared her throat to sound normal.  “I’m sorry, Doreen, I just looked at the clock–What?”  She reached back for Austin’s hand to steady herself.  “Oh my god, which hospital?  Thanks.  I’ll be right there.”  She snapped her phone shut and whirled around.  “I have to go.”

“Wait a moment, Cara.  Hospital?  Let me go with you.”


Cara shook her head as she tried to shove her feet into her shoes.  “No, this is something I have to do.  It’s my responsibility.  Besides, you have guests.”

Buy link

Day #3 of the 'Tour'

I'm over at Jany's Book Blog today, so come by and give me some love?

Today's excerpt foreshadows Off The Clock.  I was happily writing CR when all of a sudden, Austin 'demanded' I include Harmony House.  Enjoy!

Excerpt:
“Lisa was telling me about it.  She said the restaurant is open, but not the rest?  Something about it being part charity, part club, part teenage hangout?  And Austin Harmon owns it?”

Brian drained his cup.  “Yes.  Remember how Austin used to get into so much trouble, and spent time in juvenile hall? He won the lottery last year and decided to provide a safe place for kids to hang out so he bought some acreage and began building last fall.  The kids can take golf lessons, tennis lessons, swim in the pool, shoot hoops, play soccer, and get homework help –basically, anything they could want or need.  He’s not going to turn anyone away because of their income level.”

“That’s a fantastic idea,” Natalie exclaimed.  “How about transportation from school?”

“He’s hired one of the bus drivers.  A lot of the programs are still in the experimental phase.”  Brian stood up and fished his cell phone from the pocket of his shorts.  “I’ll give him a call and see if he’s open tonight.”

“It’s Sunday and late,” she objected.  “I don’t want to bother him.”


“Nat…he’s a friend.  He won’t mind.”  Brian had already dialed and was listening to the music in his ear.  “Austin?  How are you?”

CR can be bought here:) 

Day #2 of the Goddess Fish Tour:)

Welcome to Day #2 of the Review Tour!  Today you get to go to two places, DanaSquare and Freda's Voice.  So comment away!

Today's Excerpt:
Austin drummed his fingers on his desktop, and, as the door to his office opened, picked up a sheaf of papers and waved them at her. “Care to explain this?” 

Cara’s complexion paled, but she continued to look him in the eye. “The snack bar is in need of an overhaul. The counter is rotting, the windows are cracked, and there’s no air conditioning out there. One of the microwaves needs replaced, and shelves need to be built in the storeroom.” She crossed the room as she spoke and settled herself in the oak chair in front of the desk. “Those are the estimates from bidders. I told them you’d make a decision by the end of the week. Repairs are set to begin at the end of the month.” 

Austin struggled to contain his rising temper. “And how did you come by this information?” he demanded. “I hired you to straighten out my office, not to start running the place.”

Buy Link: 

On The Road With Goddess Fish:)

This entire week my latest, Off The Clock, will be on a review tour, courtesy of my publisher and Goddess Fish:)

At the end of each day, one lucky comment will be chosen for reader's choice of my back list, and yes, comments count if you post them here or on my FB page:)  Info can also be found on Molly's blog and the Goddess Fish blog.  So come show me some love this week?  It's already gotten two so-so ratings on GoodReads, so I have a feeling my ego's going to be a bit bruised.  At the end of the tour, all comments go into a hat and someone will win a copy of Class Reunion, plus a $10 Amazon GC.  Publisher is awarding a $10 Freya's Bower GC, so the more you comment, the more chances you have to win:)

In the Good News category, according to my sales report, Class Reunion is catching up with Teacher's Pet for the title of Kenzie's Best Seller.  Thank you to everyone who's purchased my books!  I'll have to get busy and finish those twelve WIPS, ha ha!

For today's stop, go over to Addicted Reader

Blurb:
Austin Harmon is intrigued by his quiet, efficient new administrative assistant. Why does she have an obsession with her watch, and what does she do after hours?

Cara has put her social life on hold while caring for her elderly mother. But after her boss helps her through a crisis, she can't deny their attraction. Romance and Alzheimer's don't mix... or do they?

Excerpt:
“Austin! Where did you find her?” His best friend Ryan clapped him on the back. “She’s fantastic, man! Nothing like Leslie.” 

“She answered my ad in the paper. She’s my office assistant.” Austin Harmon took a sip of his drink and followed her with his eyes as she paused to speak with an elderly couple. 

“You lucky dog! You banging her or is she taken?” Ryan adjusted his striped tie. 

A flash of anger welled up. “Stay away from her,” Austin warned. “Leslie left my office records a mess and 
Cara finished sorting everything out today. She’s a dream come true.” 

“I’ll say. And are you kidding? Andrea would string me up alive if she even caught me looking at another woman. I was just thinking of you, man.” Ryan smiled and held out his hand. 

Austin shook it. “After the Leslie fiasco, no more office romances. Harmony House doesn’t need any more visits from the Health Department.” .” He spotted one of his suppliers moving toward him and disengaged his hand. 

“Excuse me a moment. Drew! How are you?” 

“I’m doing well, Austin. Tell your young lady the delivery will be made at nine o’clock sharp on Thursday, and that I’m tossing in a surprise for her at no charge.” The middle-aged man with the bad comb-over smiled and pumped Austin’s hand. “I had no idea you had plans to improve the snack bar by the pool. Excellent idea, and I’ll be glad to fax over the new supply list in the morning.” 

Austin’s smile froze. “New supply list?” he repeated. 

Drew Daniels looked puzzled. “Yes, for the new line we just started last month, for healthier snacks. Didn’t 
Leslie tell you? I sent her the form a month ago. Cara called me yesterday, and I told her more about it earlier tonight.” 

“Oh, that supply list.” Austin recovered from his slip. “I’m sorry; Cara did mention it, but we haven’t really had a chance to discuss it in detail. And Leslie is no longer in charge of my office.” 


“Yes, so I’ve heard.” Drew adjusted his glasses. “If you don’t mind me saying this, I’d give Cara a raise. That girl has worked her magic. Everyone I’ve spoken to has sung her praises tonight, in a way they never spoke about Leslie, no offense.” 

Buy link:  Freya's Bower
ARE: 
Kindle: