Wow! Following Anya Bast on Jacquelyn Frank’s Blog. Look at me go! I LOVE Jacquelyn Frank! I love her work and I think she’s an amazing person. And Anya Bast! What a writer—and so pretty.

To tell you the truth, I guess I’m used to following a hot blond everywhere I go. Notice I said blond and not blonde. The blond who leads me around doesn’t write hot stories, or read them either.

My blond is all wavy soft hair, hard muscle and big brown eyes. And he’s a gentleman through and through.

He was younger here...

When we’re out walking around he helps me think, keeps me fit, and keeps me out of trouble. When we’re inside and I’m writing, he entertains his cats and keeps me from forgetting to eat. More importantly, he reminds me of the time—6:30, Noon, and 5:00 –mealtimes.

Needless to say, he doesn’t show up in every book—not obviously at least. But he’s there. A lot of my favorite heroes have white-blond hair or brown eyes…funny though, none of them have a pink Labrador nose. Hmmm… Do you think it’s a form of prejudice?

I’ll have to work on that. (along with my picture taking--this came from my phone. Blind people shouldn't take pictures, huh?)


Oh, and here are excerpts from two short stories that came out this summer. (and a blurb from a long one) One is a short story that’s part of a wonderful anthology. It’s the first in a series I’m writing about some longtime friends called Beach House and one story will come out each season in a fantasy anthology from Twilight Fantasies.

Beach House: Old Friends

by J.J. Massa

Evie and Gibb are busy people with high-powered careers. Sometimes it seems like there's no time to rest, relax, calm down.

What could be better than a week at the beach in the company of old friends? If only they could take it with them when the week is up…

Turning to face forward, Evie settled against him. "We're quite a pair, aren't we? Barely exchanging two words when we're with the old crowd, working in the same industry but we don't speak. And look at us now."

Tightening his arms around her, Gibb inhaled a deep breath of her light scent and released it, not knowing what he should say. There was plenty he could tell her, but wouldn't. "Maybe discretion really is the better part of valor," he murmured, petting a hand over her long, satiny hair.

"Maybe," she agreed. Angling her head slightly, she arched a delicate brow at him. "So how valiant are you feeling right this minute?"

Another little shift brought his erection against her lower back, answering the question for both of them. "Shit," he growled, tilting his head against the lounger's cushion.

"Supper out?" she asked sheepishly, scooting away from him on the chaise.

LATER:

Evie knew that Gibb had risen with her, some kind of choreographed dance. Reaching for him, she wasn't surprised when he pulled her in, fingers threaded as she pressed against him.

He opened his mouth as if to speak, thought better of it and leaned over her. Pushing up against his hands, she stood on tiptoes, face to face with him. His eyes were intense, bolts of blue lightning against the fabric of a summer sky—hot and riveting.

She moved against him as he lowered his head, no teasing now. Masculine lips covered hers, warm, demanding, insistent as his tongue swept her willing mouth.

A new space opened inside her, pulling her in as she savored his unique flavor: red, red wine, wild summer oceans and spicy Gibb—Evie was quickly addicted. She held onto him, tasting, feeling, she was drunk on his heady flavor now and so little had happened yet. Knowing that there was more to come was nearly overwhelming as they made their way up the beach, kissing, stumbling as they went.

Amazing. Blown away. Overwhelmed. And they'd just barely touched. What would happen when they made love? And they would…were going to, were minutes away. The idea of it made Evie's knees weak and she stumbled over the threshold.

"You still with me?" he rumbled, his arm around her back.

They were on the stairs now, she could make it that little bit further. "Fine," she agreed, moving on automatic, eager like she'd never been before.

--------------------------------------------
Reconciling Andrea
Part One

Life has been difficult for Andrea, but she's a survivor. Sometimes surviving is so much harder than letting go.

Tadeo Rice has been looking for his soul mate. He's been hearing her voice in his head for a year and knows she's been suffering. When he finally finds her, will she accept him and all that he longs to do for her?

"I'm telling you, Meredith," Marty Stevens said to Tadeo Rice's secretary, "he told me himself. This is the lady that he's been..."

Both Marty and Meredith watched, agog, as Andrea bolted from their boss's office.

She was only a few feet in front of them when the big guy himself snatched her around the waist.
They could hear her erratic breathing that almost sounded like sobs. They watched the drama unfold with interest.

"Meu Deus, Andrea! I've searched for you too long to let you go!" Tadeo growled, turning her to press her against his body.

"No!" she cried, struggling. "You don't really know me and I CERTAINLY don't know you, MR. Rice!"

Unknowingly, she confirmed what Tadeo had intimated to Marty earlier. He was now convinced that Andrea had known his boss but hadn't realized that he was billionaire, Tadeo Rice, head of

Rice Hotels International. Apparently, she felt hurt and betrayed. Go figure.

"Andrea, you must listen to me! I won't let anyone hurt you ever again!" He tried to calm her but she twisted and turned.

"You intend to do just what Father would do to me! NO! Let me go!"

Tadeo scooped her into his arms and barked, "Hold my calls and cancel everything!"

Clamping his mouth over hers, he whirled around with Andrea in his arms, still kissing her, and carried her into his office, kicking the door shut behind him.

"Oh my gosh!" breathed Meredith. "That was the most romantic thing I've ever seen... EVER!"

"I tried to tell you!" Marty couldn't have been prouder if he'd orchestrated the whole thing himself.

"They must love each other so much. I'm gonna cry! I never thought such things were real!"

Marty rubbed her shoulder, grinning to himself as Meredith crowed in romantic ecstasy.
---------------------------------



The Edge by J.J. Massa
(expanded)

Detective Paytah has spent his entire life fighting to overcome ignorance and gain acceptance in a world too quick to judge. Always willing to take on any challenge, the tough-as-nails Native American has never shied away from the truth. Until he meets Tyler Baker, that is.

Tyler represents everything that Paytah hates; the blond haired blue-eyed gay detective with a penchant for bending the rules was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and a champagne glass in his hand.

When Paytah is assigned to work with Tyler he anticipates that the partnership will be difficult. After all, working high profile serial murder cases are always challenging. But, as the case of the decade unravels, so does his ability to control his attraction and to deny his own needs.

This book by J.J. Massa has it all—passion, desire, intrigue, and an unforgettable ending that promises to take you to The Edge.


If you'd like a chance to win a download of one of these books, or any of my books email me at [email protected] with the word CONTEST in the subject line. I will announce the winner in the comment section here on TUESDAY-- AUGUST 21, 2007. 😊

I hope Jacquelyn is doing well and that every one of you are having a great summer!

Take Care!

J.J.

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