Tag: Dee S Knight

Too long apart #MFRWHooks

This is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

Naval Maneuvers by Dee S. KnightBlurb:
Men and women of the armed forces experience lust and love pretty much like everyone else. Except, well, there is that uniform. And the hard-to-resist attraction of “duty, honor, service” as a man might apply them to a woman’s pleasure. All things considered, romance among the military is a pretty sexy, compelling force for which you’d better be armed, whether weighing anchor and moving forward into desire, dropping anchor and staying put for passion, or setting a course for renewed love with anchor home. Explore the world of love and the military and see just how hot Naval Maneuvers can be.

Buy link:
Kindle Unlimited

MFRW Book HooksExcerpt:
I loved talking with you face-to-face. I loved seeing your smile. Todd e-mailed almost immediately after their teleconference. Just so you know, this is the first time I’ve ever counted the days until the ship docks in Norfolk.

“You got yourself a beauty there, Todd.” Fred Maxwell, a fellow chief and one of Todd’s best friends came into the mess. He poured a cup of coffee and sat down across from Todd.

“Beautiful and smart,” Todd said.

“I don’t know about smart. She says she loves you, right?”

“Prick.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Fred said. “Like I tell my son, ‘Sticks and stones,’ and all that. I will grant you though, she is sexy,” he added. When Todd frowned, Fred held up his hand. “I say that as an impartial observer, not an interested party. I got enough on my hands with my wife, without taking on someone else’s woman. You gonna marry her?”

“I’m going to ask and hope like hell she says yes.”

“Does she know you’re retiring?” Fred eyed him.

Todd frowned again. “No.”

“That’s kind of a big decision to make without talking it through. Will she mind?”

“I hope not. She has years left before she’s eligible to retire and she has a profession.”

“Hell, you do, too. What are your plans?”

Todd checked to make sure he hadn’t received a reply from Carie, and then logged out and closed the laptop kept in the chief’s mess. Hell, when had he started waiting like a high school kid for a return note from a girl? Since Carie.

He got up to pour himself a cup of strong, hot coffee. Navy coffee. “I’ve put out feelers to engineering firms. Already have an offer for a contract job in the D.C. area, so that’s a start.”

“If it’s that easy to get a job, maybe I should think about retiring, too.”

“How many kids do you have?” Todd sat down and grinned.

“Hell,” Fred muttered. “Six under ten and another on the way. Damn twins up the number fast.” He took a healthy gulp of coffee.

“And how many Med cruises have we been on together?”

Fred grinned back. “Five. One for each pregnancy. Maybe I should stay home for a while. It’s the going away part that makes us want to screw like rabbits. Hell, we’d probably never have sex if I was there all the time.”

Todd thought about being with Carie. The surge of electric sensations that passed between them when they touched hadn’t let up. He had the feeling they’d be having sex when they were old and gray.

Author Dee S. Knight:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website. And all three offer some of the best romance you can find! Also, once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

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Writing: Don Quixote or J.R. Ewing? #MFRWauthor

The question this week is whether characters are more fun as idealists or pragmatists. You know, do you prefer to write (or read) those characters who always strive for the vision and tilt at windmills, perhaps, or characters who see tings as they really are—and who maybe take advantage of that realism, as J.R. did. I think the answer is, too much of anything can be, well, too much.

Especially in romance, I think having characters who The Cinderella Curse by Dee S. Knightdream a little bit are necessary. In my newly (re)published erotic romance The Cinderella Curse, heroine Charlotte dreams of meeting and capturing her Prince Charming, the head of her publishing firm. He’s somewhat out of her league in that he’s rich, influential, and worldly. And she’s…not. But still, she sees her goal and simply won’t accept that she can’t have him. We all know what happened to Cinderella when she made her wish and then made it to the ball: Katy bar the door!

In the same book, hero Cooper knows the man Charlotte has set her sights on, and he’s pretty sure he’s not the right man for Charlotte. But in his own practical way, he hesitantly helps her map a path to her goal, all while counseling, aiding, and reminding her of what life can be like when she keeps her feet on the ground and head out of the clouds. Together they make quite a pair. But did I enjoy writing one more than the other? No. Did I hear from readers who said they liked reading one more than the others? Well, yeah, kinda. Readers loved Cooper (me, too!) but that’s because I made him yummy, not because he was a pragmatist.

Cinderella ball gownWould I have enjoyed these two if I had written them too strongly in one direction or another? No. Charlotte had to have some common sense and Cooper some flexibility in order for them to be fun and realistic. A good book is composed of characters of both stripes. That can create good conflict and fun reading, no matter which type of character you tend towards.

Do you have a preference? If so, which is it?

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

Parents! Gotta love ‘em #MFRWHooks

This is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

Only a Good Man Will Do
Only a Good Man Will Do by Dee S. KnightBlurb:
Seriously ambitious man seeks woman to encourage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar’s wife. Good luck with that!

Daniel Goodman is a man on a mission. He aims to become headmaster of Westover Academy. For that he needs a particular, special woman to help him set high standards. Into his cut and dried life of moral and upright behavior, comes Eve Star, formerly one of Europe’s foremost exotic dancers. Her life is anything but cut and dried, black and white. Daniel is drawn to her like a kid to chocolate. Nothing good can come of this attraction. Or can it? He is after all, a good man.

Buy link:
Kindle Unlimited

MFRW Book HooksExcerpt:
Jonah’s frown disappeared. Nothing bothered him for long. “You know, it’s pretty up here in the fall.”

“Yes, isn’t it? You came at the perfect time, too. Good thing you can stay with me. During foliage, when the leaves are turning, you can’t get a hotel room from here to Connecticut.”

“Oh, I can’t stay, Daniel. In fact, right after dinner I have to make the train to Boston so I can catch the six a.m. flight back to Charleston.”

Daniel stopped and spun toward his brother in amazement. “What? Jonah, your note didn’t say you’d only be here a couple of hours. I would have made arrangements for someone to take my classes. We could have had more time. Jesus, it’s been two or three years since we’ve seen each other.”

With a concerted effort, he refrained from raking his hand through his hair, a nervous habit from childhood it had taken him years to break. His near relapse must be due to the emotion he felt seeing Jonah again. If it was true that a special bond existed between twins, then an even stronger tie bound the set of rare, identical triplets. And while he, Mark, and Jonah had gone their separate ways since high school—almost twenty years ago—he always felt incomplete, as though a small piece of him was missing when they weren’t in contact. Being with Jonah now made him realize how alone he was. Not for companionship, but for someone who understood the soul of him, without words or judgments or questions. No one did that but his brothers.

Jonah laid his hand on Daniel’s arm. “I know. I feel the same.” Their telepathic communication always surprised, and in some cases frightened, friends and relatives. But Jonah and Daniel took it as a matter of course.

They began walking again.

“What do you hear from Mark?” Daniel asked.

“Nothing much.” Jonah frowned. “Why don’t we stay in better touch?”

“Because we’re guys? I don’t know.”

“Well, as far as I know, Mark is still in Richmond, being a nerd.” Jonah flicked a leaf that had drifted into his hair to the ground.

“Still with that same finance company?”

“Hell, you probably know as much as I do. But gossiping about Mark is not why I came up. I came up to deliver a message. It’s something I didn’t think you should hear over the phone. It’s about mom and dad.”

Daniel stopped again and grabbed Jonah’s arm to halt his progress. “Oh, my God! They’re not—”

“No, sorry, no. Nothing like that.”

Daniel blew a breath of relief. “Then what could be so important you’d fly all the way to New Hampshire to tell me?”

Jonah grinned. “Well, Daniel, it’s like this.” He pulled himself to his impressive full six feet two inches, clasped his hands in prayer and recited, “Friends, we are gathered here in the presence of God and this company, to witness—”

“What!?”

“Yeah! Isn’t it great? This November we can give thanks that our parents are finally getting married.”

Jonah, the idiot, grinned even wider, like a puppy who’d just been tossed a big old steak bone. Obviously, he didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.

“And they’re not keeping it quiet, either. Nope, they’re doing it up right. Turns out, one of the men who knew mom from her days in show business—”

Daniel closed his eyes. “She was a stripper, Jonah, not a movie star.”

Jonah flapped his hand. “Whatever. Anyway, he’s arranged for them to use the country club. And you know dad’s old friends at the bank never held his troubles against him—

“His troubles? He stole money, Jonah. It was only because the bank president liked dad and the money was returned that he didn’t spend hard time in federal prison.”

Jonah put a hand on his shoulder, thinking to calm him, no doubt. Too late for that.

“I know. But the fact remains, Dad’s well-liked, so they’ve got a big bachelor party planned.”

The groan he heard had to have come from him. His brother was having too much fun to make a sound filled with such angst.

“They’ve scheduled the whole shebang for over the Thanksgiving holidays. I don’t have to work and you won’t have school, so we can both be there. The local paper’s already featured them in the society section. Couple Finally Ties Knot After Thirty-Seven Years Together. Sons Serve As Witnesses. You should see them, Daniel. They’re like kids.”

Yes, he could just imagine. The stripper and the embezzler. Sounded like a farce from a burlesque show. Daniel frowned. How was it Jonah didn’t see the ridiculousness of the situation? Daniel loved his parents dearly, but really, what was the point in getting married now? Why hadn’t they committed to each other when it could have served some purpose? Like before their sons were born.

 

Author Dee S. Knight:

A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website. And all three offer some of the best romance you can find! Also, once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.

Where to find her (them):
Website: https://nomadauthors.com
Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749
Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

Fashion, smashion #MFRWauthor

High fashionWhen I was growing up, my mom would come home from work, strip off her hose and bra and get comfy in her bathrobe. I never thought anything of it. But when my dad and she got divorced (20 years later, so it’s not like it was a snap decision), the fact that Mom spent a lot of her home time in a bathrobe might have been mentioned once or twice. So I decided that not using my robe as home fashion might be a prudent idea. However… I have going-out clothes and stay-at-home clothes. One set is decidedly more comfortable than the other. Neither is what I’d call fashionable.

I’ve never had a shape to wear fashionable clothes, though when I was working I strove to be neat and professional. I still buy colors that look good on me, whether they are the season’s colors or not. Stylish I may not be, but I wear clothes for function and comfort, and not what the magazines say ae in.

The same goes for hairstyles. Right now, my hair is pretty long because I Comfort clotheshaven’t been to get it cut since COVID struck. Normally, I keep it pretty short, mostly because of ease of care and not because the latest cut says to do so. It’s driving me crazy right now. My pigtails aren’t straight and hair is straggled all over the place. No one would say I was stylish. But then, as long as hubby and I are okay with how I look and what I wear, what do I care?

Are your clothes form or function?

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

Review of Desire Me Again, BVS’s newest anthology!

Desire Me Again anthology

I adored this book! I’m giving Desire Me Again a 5-star rating. It’s sometimes hard to put together a great anthology collection, but overall, the stories in Desire Me Again are superb! I am, of course, not reviewing my own story, but I hope readers like it!

Renewing Forever
Virginia Wallace
David, all human, is married to Jillian, all wolf-shifter, but lately he’s been unsettled. He moved from his home in upstate New York thinking Virginia would be sunnier in the winter, he gave up his beloved Camara for a station wagon when they started a family, and now Jillian seems to be moody all the time. He’s pretty convinced she’s going to leave him. He hopes she and her family don’t eat him in the process. I really liked this story. It’s about a human/shifter marriage but it’s really a treatise on marriage itself—especially a blended or mix-marriage. Insecurity, doubts, fears, they all play a part in this story. As they do in real life. Kudos, Virginia, for this second chance between a married couple who find what it means to love forever!

Temperance
Gibby Campbell
Dominant Pete took a chance with his tarot-reading submissive, Lexie, years before and lost her. Now, long after she’d given up on seeing Pete again, the King of Swords keeps popping out of her tarot deck. The card symbolizes change. Sure enough, like the card, Pete pops back into her life. He’s successful—as is she—and seems to have matured. But can Lexie trust that a second chance will mean Pete will take better care of her heart? I loved the slight paranormal aspect of this story and the twist that using tarot cards adds. Gibby knows her stuff—both in reading the cards and writing a wonderful story that explores the D/s world.

Desire Me Again anthology

Lost and Found: A Soldier’s Return
R.M. Olivia
Kasey is a wife who’s unsure if she wants her husband to come home from Afghanistan. Oh, she wants him alive and well, but maybe not at home with her and their two daughters. He’s been gone two years on his deployment, and part of that time he was MIA. Before he left the last time, he’d displayed horrifying behavior of PTSD—locking himself in their bedroom with his pistol. But he refused to get help. She doesn’t know now who might be coming home. Add to it, their daughters are young and demanding (as children are), and her mother-in-law has been living with them to help out with the girls. It’s no wonder Kasey needs a time-out. This tender story struck home with me as a Navy brat who saw first-hand the trials military families often face with long separations and then the coming home, which always changes things. Add the horrors of war, and a second chance at a loving relationship is harder. Well done, R.M.!

A Convict’s Prayer
Jan Selbourne
This story will blow you away, especially since it’s based on one of Jan’s ancestors!
In 1841, Eleanor Craddock is transported from Ireland to Van Dieman’s Land (now Tasmania) for the crime of stealing 10 sovereigns. Her children were starving and what’s a desperate mother who can’t find work to do? For that, she was stripped from her family and home. For some, transportation was a death sentence. For others, it’s a second chance. Which will it be for Eleanor? Jan brings this tale to life with her great writing and attention to historical accuracy. It’s a touching story that shows how hope can change one’s life. I loved it!

The Hand-cuff Proposal
Patricia Elliott
Long-time friends Jason and Cora share a house. Well, it’s actually Jason’s house. He’s a cop and can better afford to offer Cora a place to stay. Cora waitresses—normally. Just that day she lost her job. Then she came home to find that Jason had eaten her last ice cream drumstick (yum! I like them, too!). Bad things come in threes, so what else is about to happen? Jason and Cora have both developed feelings for the other way beyond BFFs, but neither is willing to take the chance of losing their friendship to bring up the matter. Until Cora lands on a plan. When looking for work, she finds an ad for a local strip joint. She can take a job there, wait for Jason to stop by on his rounds, be swept home in a wave of male protective traits and then swept into bed. It’s a great plan, right? What was that about bad things coming in threes…? This second chance will take a bit of work. Patricia really brings these characters to life. I couldn’t help but feel for them while they tried to feel their way to each other. And watching Cora work through her plan? I just wanted to nudge her around the strip joint and to some nice, family diner.

Desire Me AgainFlight to the Stars
Zia Westfield
Talon is a man under a curse. He has a connection to a falcon, but is unable to shift, something that tears at his soul. Plus, his family is under a curse. For the last five generations, the oldest son has died on his 30th birthday. Talon’s birthday is that weekend. An emergency among the paranormal entities has brought Talon back together with his former love, Vega. With her talents, Talon hopes to find the source of the trouble and end it. Trouble is, nine years ago, Talon turned his back on her and walked away. He didn’t want her to have to face the consequences of his curse. Now, however, with only a day left, he wants a second chance to spend every moment in her arms. I loved this story! With the combination of a crisis and mystery, and the clock ticking, plus some nice comedic moments, this is a fine tale and great writing.

Together at Last
Carol Schoenig
Seconds after she hears barking, Grace is pushed into the freezing lake by a huge dog. Fortunately, the dog’s owner jumps in to save her. Battling hypothermia, they both nearly drown before Joe drags Grace from the lake and breathes life back into her. Not knowing what else to do, he carries Grace to his truck and takes her to his grandfather’s house, where he warms her before the fire and then hands her over to the care of his grandfather. When Grace opens her eyes, she thinks she’s seeing a ghost. Ian stars back—the first time she’d seen him in years. She’d been in high school and he in college when they broke up in a violent encounter. Since then, they’d married others and raised children. Are there too many years between them to find a second chance? This is a sweet and warm story that proves that where’s there’s true love, there’s always a way.

Xposé
Annabel Allen
I liked this title because it represents two things in the story: Xposé as the swinger club’s dungeon and exposé as a reporter.
Arianna is a member of a swingers’ club but we find out at the beginning that she has a reason for it beyond the erotic adventure. When Arianna is invited to join Master K in the dungeon, she thinks she’s going to find the answer to why several women have disappeared from the club and make her bones as a reporter. Instead, she gets the shock of her life when Master K turns out to be her high school love, Koran. He sure didn’t have all those defined abs in high school, or really the ability to make her want to climb him like an animal longing to have wild monkey sex. She also didn’t expect to be one of the women being snatched from the club! If something good doesn’t happen soon, she and Koran will miss their second chance! I liked that Annabel had Ava Goode and Reichen make cameo appearances in this story. Well done, well-written story with mystery and a bit of BDSM!

The Holiday Mermaid
Alice Renaud
Adam is stunned when a gorgeous, bikini-clad wonder comes up to him on the beach and invites him to take her for a drink. That moment leads to a month of heaven, and then he wakes one morning to find her gone. Now, at Christmas, Rowena has returned. She hasn’t been able to forget him, despite knowing that love between a mermaid and a human can’t be. When Adam finds her, she’s injured. He cares for her and they rediscover their love. But let’s face it, love is hard enough to negotiate without throwing in the complication of a different species! She has to return to the Morvann Islands once more, to ask for advice and help, but then she hopes to come back to Adam for good. Can they find their way to a second chance? This delightful story is the end to Alice’s Sea of Love series. I’ve enjoyed each and every book, and this story of a mermaid finding love while on holiday is a fitting tribute and great ending!

As I said at the beginning, I enjoyed all of the stories in this 5-star collection, Desire Me Again. BVS puts together wonderful anthologies, from the fabulous covers (by Jessica Greeley) to the compilations themselves. I’m proud and honored to be among the authors selected for these books.

Charity Sunday: Hire Heroes USA

Charity Sunday: Dee S. Knight

How Charity Sunday works: for every comment made on this blog post, I will donate money to the charity named. The same promise is made for every blog site listed in the group–click the Linky Links link at the bottom of this post to see the list of participants and read/comment on any of them to see a donation go to that blogger’s charity. We’re all different! Thanks for your help and your participation!

Hire Heroes USA

This month I’d like to highlight Hire Heroes USA, an organization that helps military separated from the service find jobs. Wounded warriors often worry about how they will support their families as much as their getting well. And members who retire from the service sometimes find what they were trained for and excel at, are skills not suited for civilian needs.

One of the things I really like is that they also help military spouses find work. I remember the years when my mom was unable to find a decent job as we moved from base to base because in military areas it’s well-known that the service member will be transferred after 2-3 years. It’s hard to blame employers because who wants to train someone who has a good chance of leaving in a short time. Yet, often the military spouse is the one left at home during deployments with the responsibility of being main support for the family. It’s hard to do that without a job.

The mission of Hire Heroes USA is this: “Hire Heroes USA empowers U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce.” The story of how Hire Heroes USA started is inspiring. This charity has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator four years in a row, so I know it’s a safe bet that our donation will reach the intended people. Please comment and help send me send the best donation!

My feature book is Burning Bridges (Anne Krist). In it, Paul Steinert left the Navy but he didn’t need a job—he returned to the family farm when his dad got sick. He didn’t regret going home, but he did love the Navy, and he can hardly be farther from the sea and ships than in Iowa! In this excerpt, Paul has discovered he has a gown daughter he never knew in South Carolina and he’s decided to move there in order to get to know her. He’s just told his brother and his wife.

Burning Bridges by Anne KristThe moment Paul dreaded most had just passed, explaining to Mark and Becca why he had to leave. Mark had been shocked speechless. Becca had surprised Paul with her calm acceptance, almost as though she’d expected him to come home with such news.

“Are you sure about this? I thought you just needed a break to clear the air between you and Sara, get the past out of your system. I didn’t really think…” Mark looked confused.

Paul knew how he felt. The last couple of days had proven to be life changing and he hadn’t been prepared, himself. Taking the farm responsibility fully onto his shoulders would certainly be as life altering for Mark.

“The restlessness you noticed in me wasn’t just Sara’s visit, although that’s what set it off. Seeing her made me remember being young and having dreams. I was never cut out to be a farmer, Mark, never wanted to be one. You know that.”

Mark nodded. “You always had an over-defined sense of duty. We needed you when Dad got sick and you came.” He looked down to smooth his thumb across a worn spot on the table, evidence of all the years that same place had been rubbed. “I’ve always been grateful to you. I know you gave up a lot, and I don’t know what would have happened otherwise. I guess I just thought you stayed because you wanted to.”

“I never resented being here, never. But when you and Becca got married—” he smiled at his sister-in-law, “—I should have left. I always found some excuse not to, but it’s time now. It won’t be long before Luke brings home a girl and starts the next generation of Steinerts. I don’t want to wait until it’s too late and I have no choice but to hang on here.”

“If I’d known you were unhappy—”

“I wasn’t, not at all. I was too damn lazy, or too much a coward maybe, to do what I knew I should have. Now I’ve been pushed into making a decision, and there’s only one right choice.”

He stared hard at Mark. “I don’t want you to think I went to bed every night thinking about Sara or woke up every day wishing I was someplace else. That’s not the way it was at all. I haven’t been unhappy, not like you mean. I’ve loved the years working with you and Luke. I really have. And I think we’ve done Dad proud.”

Without a word, Becca got up and went to the living room.

Paul spoke to his brother in a low voice. “You said that I had a sense of duty. That’s not true, Mark. I probably should have stayed home instead of joining the Navy. You were too young to handle much, and I knew Dad wanted me here. But I wanted to go and I found a way that no one could get too angry about. I used duty to country as a way to escape duty to family.”

“Paul, that’s not the way Dad or any of us saw it, you know that. He hated that you went to Vietnam, but he was proud of you. God, you should have seen his face whenever a letter came.”

Tears filled Paul’s eyes, but he quickly blinked them away. “I tried to make up for it by coming home when he asked. Tried to clean up the mess I’d made of my life for him, when I wouldn’t do it for myself. But Mark, I failed the woman I said I loved. I had an obligation to Sara and myself to find out what happened, to make sure she was all right. Because I didn’t, Paula grew up without knowing who I am, who she is. I can’t let her live the rest of her life like that. But I hate like hell leaving you with everything so suddenly.”

Mark’s face filled with determination. “Don’t worry about it. Luke and I can handle things, and that Lintz boy has been asking about whether we have any work. Maybe he’ll hire on when we need extra hands.” He gave a soft chuckle. “On the bright side, Luke’ll miss you like hell, but he’ll love moving out of the house and into your place. It’s just out back, but to him it’ll be like living in town.”

Paul laughed too, then studied his hands, folded on the table. When he looked up, it was to find his brother silently examining him.

“You might not have been unhappy exactly, but you were lonely, weren’t you?”

“What kind of question is that to ask?” Paul squirmed in his seat, his face flushed with embarrassment. “I’ll tell you this. If I was lonely, it was for something I didn’t even realize. I want you to know, Mark, I’ve never envied you, except maybe in the general sense. That you had a good wife and family, sure, but I never begrudged you Becca or Luke.”

He snorted a soft laugh. “In fact, I never truly understood what you must have felt, having a child, holding him, seeing his features change to resemble your own, being proud. No one on the outside can understand it. But when I looked up and saw Paula—”

His voice broke and it took a beat for him to continue. “It’s irrational, but true. I didn’t even know her and I loved her. For one moment, my heart broke. I was a father, and finally I knew some small part of what you must feel when you look at Luke. Except I’d missed it all, her whole life. I have so much lost time to make up for. So much of her to learn.”

“While you’re getting to know your daughter, you might remember that you once loved her mother. Maybe she hasn’t changed so much as you think. You’re not old, Paul. There’s no reason on God’s green earth for you to be alone.”

Paul nodded. “I know, but I think too much time has passed. Sara’s a bridge I’ve already burned. This move isn’t about the two of us.”

He recalled the night they’d shared, when he thought he’d grabbed a piece of the past and things could be worked out. When what mattered in life could be found in her arms.

Maybe two nights were all he’d ever have with her. One night to create a daughter and another to discover her. Two nights weren’t much, but they’d been more than enough to set the world spinning in new directions.

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New Second Chance anthology! Desire Me Again

Desire Me Again anthologyDesire Me Again
The hopeless romantic believes that a soulmate exists for each of us. That there is one person who makes us feel how good it is to love them. For some couples, things trigger them to push that love away. They find out too late they’ve lost true-love. Sometimes genuine love deserves a second-chance at the happy ending that eluded them the first time.
Desire Me Again is an eclectic assortment of short stories exploring a second-chance at love. The collection is as diverse as the authors who wrote them. Here’s a chance to read the work of talented writers you may not have read before. Within these pages, there are blends of tender, often moving and thought-provoking stories.
Be sure to join the book launch party on October 25th to get to know the authors and have some fun! It’s from 2 pm to 8:30 pm Eastern time on the BVS Facebook page.
Desire Me Again is available on Amazon and other online retailers

Lost and Found- A Soldier’s Return – R.M. Olivia
When Isiah Johnson returns home after being M.I.A for two years, his wife Kasey doesn’t know just what to expect. After a night of lovemaking, she is feeling satisfied that they are being offered a second chance to correct all that was wrong in their marriage. But is that reality?

Isiah is the walking wounded after witnessing his best friend getting killed. In the midst of his devastation, he decides to take his own life. Luckily, the gun barrel is empty and he survives. Mrs. Johnson, Isiah’s mother has been living with Kasey and the twins while her son was away. Kasey appreciates her mother-in-law’s help; she also resents her intrusive manner.

Her husband may now be with them physically yet emotionally he is gone. With the change in his circumstances, he is no longer battling an outside enemy. He is battling himself. Can his wife help him find the man he once was?

The Holiday Mermaid – Alice Renaud
Adam fell for surfer girl Rowena the second he saw her. But just as their summer fling was becoming serious, she left him without any explanation. Now, with Christmas just a few days away, she’s back… and Adam discovers that she’s a shape-shifting mermaid, from a Clan that hates humans. Can he love her as she is? Can she brave her family to be with Adam for good, not just for Christmas?

Second Chance by Dee S. KnightSecond Chance – Dee S. Knight
Sandy Henderson had been a sweet, wholesome girl in her first year of college, sure of herself and totally in love with her high school sweetheart, Tom Pritchard. Then something happened that shattered her dreams, her confidence, her will to live. When she meets Tom again many years later, she resists taking a chance on love because of her secret, but Tom won’t give up on her. On them. Or will he, once she tells him about her past?

Temperance – Gibby Campbell
Doms aren’t perfect. Sometimes they screw up. When it’s true love, though, they deserve a second chance. Even the tarot cards think so in this erotic short story.

Desire Me Again

The Handcuff Proposal – Patricia Elliott
Cora Kegan’s day doesn’t end well, and she finds herself fired from her waitressing job. When she returns home, she learns that her roommate ate the last drumstick, which makes her day even worse. Who doesn’t like to drown their sorrows with ice cream?

Especially when that sorrow includes still having the hots for your ex-boyfriend, who just so happens to be your roommate…

What kind of trouble does she find when she visits a strip club to get his attention?

Xposé – Annabel Allan
Arianna Pierson is an up-and-coming journalist with the Toronto Star. Being a newbie, she mainly writes fluff pieces, like baby or bridal showers. Then she gets wind of a story that could break her into the mainstream—the recent disappearance of three girls from the sex club Xposed.

Arianna takes it upon herself to investigate, going undercover as a regular at the club. While there, she runs into Koran Conley, her first kiss and first love from high school. She tries to keep her focus on the story rather than her growing obsession for a man she had thought walked out of her life so long ago. Her lust is a wonderful distraction…until it becomes her life on the line.

Desire Me Again anthology

Together at Last – Carol Schoenig
Grace Burrows and Ian Hobbs were high school sweethearts. After three years together, they parted with broken dreams and little hope for the future.

Years later Grace visits the lake where she and Ian had spent many a day. It was to say a final good-bye to her lost dreams before moving on with her life. Lost in the memories, she turns to watch a barking dog running toward her. She loses her balance and falls in the lake. A turn of events brings her face to face with Ian. Is it a reunion filled with hope or is it dead in the water?

Flight to the Stars – Zia Westfield
Nine years ago, Talon LaRue left Vega Cosmos without a word. Now he’s back in her life with an offer she can’t refuse. Help him find a stolen database of supernatural beings and she’ll not only establish her business, she’ll also be protecting her family. But Vega discovers there’s much more at stake. Talon’s life hangs in the balance. Is she willing to let go of old hurts to grasp a second chance at love?

A Convict’s Prayer – Jan SelbourneA Convict's Prayer by Jan Selbourne
Famine, disease, poverty and crime dominates 19th century Ireland, and Eleanor Craddock is just one of the thousands convicted of stealing to survive. However, it is her brother Thomas’s treachery that sentences her to transportation to Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania, Australia) for fourteen years. The only thing that keeps Eleanor going is her prayer that one day she will earn her ticket of leave, because only then can she apply for her two children to join her on the free emigration scheme. This prayer is sorely tested during the long 13,000-mile journey on the convict ship Hope, the brutal Hobart Cascades Female Factory and her years as an assigned servant to the wealthy Ian Franks. Richard Barnett, horse trainer for Franks finds it almost impossible to break through Eleanor’s hard defensive wall until a theft of important documents. This is a true story of two people finding love again.

Renewing Forever – Virginia Wallace
Most of us wander blissfully throughout our daily lives. We pass in and out of crowds on a daily basis, willfully oblivious to those around us. Anonymity is comforting; it simplifies life. But anonymity is a double-edged sword because it can also provide a mask for monsters, allowing them to walk un-detected among us.

But even monsters often seek a sense of normalcy. They run errands, hold down ordinary jobs, and sometimes they even get married. It is in marriage that the difference between plebeian and monster disappears, for all marriages suffer friction. Conflicts can be caused by issues such as children, money, careers, and cultural differences.

David Wollstonecroft has always tried to be a good husband to his wife, Jillian. Jillian was born into a world of shadows, and secrets; she comes from a society quite different from David’s, and thus their marriage occasionally falters. Lately, it almost seems destined to fail.
David, however, is determined to repair the damage…
Because if he can’t, Jillian might literally tear him to pieces.

What’s one to do with a renegade daughter #MFRWHooks

This is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

One Woman Only by Dee S. KnightBlurb:
As one of a set of triplets, Jonah Goodman has always stood out as the least academic—and the last one to take the world, or commitment, seriously. Thing is, that’s not really who he is. But who can he convince of that? Not his family, who see him as they always have. And maybe not his one love, the sweetheart he left behind in high school but with whom he is now sharing an erotic holiday. Will he get his second chance to prove to Kelly that he is a loving man who wants more than a sensual few days, but a real relationship with the woman he lost once and doesn’t want to lose again? With that chance and Kelly’s love, Jonah knows that a “good man” can become a better man.

Buy link:

Kindle Unlimited

MFRW Book HooksExcerpt:

Kelly’s father cleared his throat again. “Could we get back on topic, please?” Both women shifted their gazes to him. “That’s better. Now Kelly, I want to talk to you about taking your place in the company.”

She blinked. “My place? I don’t have a place in the company.”

“You most certainly do. You’ll take over management. With a proper trial and training period, of course.” Picking up his knife and fork, he speared a piece of onion and casually ate, as if he hadn’t dropped another bombshell.

“Father, don’t you remember when I was about thirteen and wanted to come to the office with you, you said that girls had no place in business? That was for Robbie, even though he was two years younger than me and had no interest in the factory. After a year or so of learning all I could about the embroidery business and even interning for a summer in college, I finally got the point. Even so, I went on to get my MBA, on the outside chance that would convince you to ask me into the business.”

Her dad at least had the grace to look contrite.

“And now, I have no interest. If you’re retiring, it’s Robbie you should talk to. I already have a job.”

“It has to be you. Robbie left the company three months ago and refuses to come back. Ungrateful sonofa—”

“Stuart!”

“Yes, sorry, dear.” Once more with the throat clearing. “That’s why it has to be you to take over. We’ve been in the embroidery business for three generations. The Shepherd Embroidery plant has been here in Lucky Strike for forty-five years. I won’t sell it. But managing the company will kill me as it did your grandfather if I stick with it. So, you will have to move back and do your duty.”

Her duty. Right. She hadn’t even been home six hours and for the first time she was hearing that her father was sick, he was retiring and expected her to drop her life to help out, and her brother had up and run off to God only knew where. Her stomach roiled in anger. She tightened the grip on her knife and fork to keep from tossing them onto the table like a child having a tantrum. She was an adult, damn it, and she’d handle this like an adult.

“Like hell I will. You expect me to drop everything and rush back here? Forget it. Fifteen years ago—hell, ten years ago, when Brad and I divorced—I might have jumped to do your bidding. But not now.”

Well, maybe she wouldn’t act totally like an adult.

Looking down at her plate, she saw that the gravy had begun to congeal, like the lump in her stomach. The meal that had looked and smelled so delicious a short time ago she now wanted nothing to do with. Was it too much to ask that she be able to have one meal with her parents and not get upset over something?

Except this wasn’t “something.” This was a demand that she change everything in her life, and she wouldn’t do it.

Would. Not.

“I don’t appreciate your attitude,” her mother said.

Fuck it, Mother. I don’t appreciate your attitude much, either.

Author Dee S. Knight:

A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website. And all three offer some of the best romance you can find! Also, once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

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The Navy way #MFRWsteam

Naval Maneuvers by Dee S. KnightBlurb:
Men and women of the armed forces experience lust and love pretty much like everyone else. Except, well, there is that uniform. And the hard-to-resist attraction of “duty, honor, service” as a man might apply them to a woman’s pleasure. All things considered, romance among the military is a pretty sexy, compelling force for which you’d better be armed, whether weighing anchor and moving forward into desire, dropping anchor and staying put for passion, or setting a course for renewed love with anchor home. Explore the world of love and the military and see just how hot Naval Maneuvers can be.

Weighing Anchor (allowing a ship to move forward by retrieving the anchor): A professional woman sworn to avoiding all things military finds herself in love with a lieutenant commander in the Navy. Love won’t conquer all if she allows her childhood memories to eclipse future happiness.
Dropping Anchor (securing movement by dropping the anchor): Two people find (surprisingly) that they are both in the Navy and love their chosen professions—until one turns out to be an officer but not a gentleman and the other is a gentleman but not an officer.
Anchor Home (safe, smooth sailing): When two former lovers find each other after more than a decade, will a long-hidden secret threaten the course of a rekindled romance or be the cause of it?

MFRW SteamExcerpt from Weighing Anchor:
David swung open the door of their room after only one knock. He took her in with one quick glance and proclaimed her fucking beautiful. He’d been aching for this all afternoon.

Holding up a white bag he said, “As promised, I brought Italian. And I’m hungry. But not for baked ziti.” He dropped the bag on the room’s café table and opened his arms. Mel rushed to him. Molding her body to his and feeling her soften in his arms, taking her lips in a greedy kiss that she met with equal hunger—this is what he’d imagined and longed for. What he knew now he would always long for.

“You’re mine,” he ground out in a raspy voice. “Mine.”

Flipping positions so that she backed the wall, he dropped to his knees and reached under her skirt—thank God she’d worn something other than slacks. “You naughty girl. You’ve gone all commando on me.” He nestled his nose to the apex of her thighs and inhaled, taking the scent of her arousal deep into his lungs. He nudged her legs apart and pushed her skirt to her waist and with one, long lick, he took in her taste. She was fucking delicious.

Mel’s moans faded to the background as he proceeded to mine her pussy with his tongue. He loved the way she kept herself clean shaven, knowing how much he enjoyed eating her out, something he intended to do several times before they separated on Sunday afternoon—something he hated the thought of doing. Feasting on Melissa had turned into one of his favorite things in the world. How could he do without?

By the time he’d switched from his tongue to two fingers lightly stroking her pussy while his tongue sought out and attended to her clit, Mel had stabbed her fingers into his hair and pressed his mouth closer. Her hips rocked against him. She was close. Her moans had changed to sweet little sounds between pants.

Once again, David used his tongue on her pussy and pressed her clit hard with his thumb. Mel screamed his name and her cream drenched his mouth and chin. He lapped at her, taking all she had to give before pressing his forehead into her stomach and catching his breath.

Finally, as shaky as she, he stood up and took her mouth. Their tongues battled for supremacy. Mel pushed into his mouth and he pushed back. “God, I missed you,” he said when they broke for breath.

She smiled and smoothed her hand over his hair. “It was only a few hours. But I missed you, too,” she said, and then kissed him once more. “I have to admit, after being apart you sure know how to welcome a girl.”

“That? That was nothing. I have hours of pleasure saved up to share with you.” He laid his forehead against hers. “Did you really miss me? Even with all the texts?”

Her arms were around his neck and she lazily stroked his neck. He loved when she touched him. Anywhere. “They only made me miss you more. I don’t know how people stand long distance relationships. If I’d had to go longer than these few hours, I would have died.” She took his mouth again, but this time, in addition to the passion, a tiny frisson of worry ran down his spine.

He pushed it away. It’s the kind of things lovers say—I couldn’t wait to be with you, or I couldn’t stand another minute away from you—but in the end, people put away that hyperbole and dealt with the realities of life. That is, people in love do. And he hoped Mel was in love with him because he sure as hell was in love with her.

“If you can wait a few more minutes to eat, we have the microwave to reheat dinner. I think I need some more Mel time,” he said with a grin. “Let’s get you off your feet.” Sweeping her into his arms, he took her into the bedroom.

“And what do you intend to do now that you have me off my feet?” she asked in an innocent voice.

“Have my wicked way with you,” he answered with a growl. “But first, naked. I need you naked.”

She smiled, exchanging innocence for sexy in a nanosecond. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

He’d thought his cock couldn’t be any more needy but he’d been wrong. “You’re on,” he ground out.

Instead of hopping to get out of her clothes, though, she lay back and regarded him. “David, are you…are you clean? That is—”

His hand froze on his belt buckle. “Yes! Yes, I’m good, I swear.” Was she implying what he thought she was? “And I can assure you, I’m not the kind of guy who slept around much, but during those times I’ve never, ever been without a condom.” Maybe he should ask about her, but she was a doctor, right? Surely she wouldn’t take any risks.

“Then do you think…I mean I really care for you. A lot. And if you think you care for me, too, maybe we could forego the condoms? I’m on the pill.”

Stunned, David wondered the correct thing to do here. He’d never been in this situation before and he wanted to get it right. Instead of continuing to strip, he lay on the bed beside her. He stroked her lips with his finger and took in her scent, which was unique to her.

“Melissa, this is early on. I know we’ve hardly known each other a month, and we haven’t been together for the majority of that time, but I know myself pretty damn well and I’m not afraid to say the words.” She gasped and her eyes grew wide. “I love you, Mel. Nothing like you has ever happened to me. As impossible as it seems after so little time, I love you.”

She was silent, staring at him with wonder. It was wonder, wasn’t it, and not horror or disgust?

“David, I love you, too.”

Fucking yeah. He gave a metal fist pump. Taking her into his arms, he kissed her tenderly, hoping to convey through his lips the sentiments he’d just expressed in words. He loved her damn it, and she loved him back. The world was one hell of a happy place.

When she leaned back from him he said, “So, shall we see what this feels like, skin to skin? It’s something I’ve never felt before.”

“Me either.”

He wrapped a strand of hair around his finger, loving the way it looked, binding them together for the moment the way his next actions would bind them for forever. This act of sex would be an emotional tie as well as a physical one. She was his woman. His. And he was about to claim her. She would claim him, too, and strangely, a calm settled over David with that knowledge.

“Think it will be different?”

“I know it will be because it will be new to each of us, a sign of our love and trust. And when I come,” he whispered, “a part of me will stay inside you for days, you and me as one.” He kissed her. “We can’t get any closer.”

In less than a minute the two were naked. David looked into her eyes and saw desire and a depth of feeling he’d never known. Love filled his heart and he knew this is how he would feel forever.

This is the way it’s always going to be for us. That was David’s last cogent thought before sliding into the wet heat of her body.

* * *

Mel had never felt anything like it. She wrapped her legs around David’s waist and used them to pull him closer, further inside her. Her breath came in erratic pants, her fingers clawed at his back, urging him on.

But David wouldn’t be rushed. He seemed to have his own time table for bringing her off. He pushed in and then pulled out until his cock lingered at the entrance to her pussy. Slowly—ever so slowly—he glided back in. She trembled with desire and the love she knew she held for him. Mel had never been so happy.

“So fucking good, baby. God, you feel so fucking good.”

“Yes,” she murmured and nipped his neck where his shoulder met it. Stroking that same place with her tongue as he started his slow but purposeful entry brought forth a guttural moan. She dug her hips into the mattress and then thrust forward to meet him.

“David, I love you!” She couldn’t hold back. This felt too damn good, too right. This was her man. Hers. And she wanted this for the rest of her life, this friction of his loving, his cock making her feel alive, his smile to wake to every morning, his hands sending shock waves of pleasure through her body.

“Melissa. Oh, God, Melissa!” David increased his speed, his thrusts becoming hard and fast. He took her mouth in a rage of passion. His tongue invaded and conquered, his lips ate at her mouth. Breaking off, he took her shoulder in an open-mouth kiss, nipping and sucking.

Mel was so close, so very close. Every deep thrust rubbed her clit until she thought she would scream. Instead, she gasped in a breath, sure she would let go, not wanting to so that this would go on and on. His thrusts rocketed her to a state of mindlessness and she gave up all thought, surrendering to pure feelings.

Naval Maneuvers by Dee S. Knight

About Dee:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website. And all three offer some of the best romance you can find! Also, once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.

Where to find her (them):

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

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The curse (or joy) of Christmas catalogues #MFRWauthor

Shopping for ChristmasAnyone who’s ever ordered anything from a catalogue knows that once you have, you’ve condemned yourself to a lifetime of a mailbox filled that catalogue’s brethren, forevermore. It only takes one small, single purchase from even the most obscure catalogue and your name goes on every mailing list for all catalogues, big and small. It’s a racket, and you’re the sucker.

All that said, I love looking through Christmas catalogues. That’s when Packages from shopping in cataloguesretailers pull out all the stops. Tee shirts have cute sayings on them, each page is alight with candles, fairy lights, flashing outdoor lights, flashing indoor lights, and so on. I love all those lights! I love looking at the beautiful sweaters and coats. I love seeing models standing in snow (because A) it’s not real, and B) I don’t have to stand in it) while they show off the latest winter footwear. Gifts, gifts, gifts! They’re so much fun to look at!!

Now, do I buy? Um… No. Not usually. It’s window shopping from my couch, in my bunny slippers. And, I love it.

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers