Wednesday 31 August 2016

#MidWeekTease where Kristin gets an unexpected visitor...



Welcome to my #MidWeekTease. This is a fun way of sharing a few paragraphs of a book or WIP.

Except this week I seem to have cotton wool in my brain, and I couldn't decide what to share. 

So eventually, I decided to go back to an oldie and revisti a very special island on Loch Lomond.

Ballingal



Why? 

this is why...

They were a tight-knit group. Justine at seventy something was the oldest, and Kristin still in her mid-twenties, the youngest. Six women drawn together by something indefinable. No one questioned why any one of them had the need to live on Ballingal. Friendship was extended and help given. But all through it there was an unspoken commandment. 
Woman ruled Ballingal. 
Justine, Nicole, Leo, Susan, Eva and Kristin. Each had their own strengths and talents and each complimented the other. They were Ballingal.
Kristin grabbed her cloak and flung it around her shoulders. She wrapped it tightly around her body and held it close to stop the ever- present wind tugging it out of her hands and letting it flap around her. Living on an island in the middle of the Loch, you got used to every season in a day.
Why the cloak? Was it symbolic? There were plenty of other coats and jackets of hers in the cloakroom, so why choose this? It was an
impractical choice if she had to carry a big sack of post, or help day visitors across the gap from boat to shore.
She made her way across the short grass toward the pebble path that led visitors from the ferry landing in the direction of the group of buildings that housed Nicole’s guest house, the craft shops, workshops, and refreshment facilities. The rest of the island, apart from well-marked flora and fauna trails was kept as hard to access as possible. In Kristin’s case, her house was furthest away, almost inaccessible except by boat, and to do that, you’d need pretty good sea—or loch—man-ship. The only other way was along an unmarked and complicated trail. As much as she loved the others, after all, they were like sisters and a mum to her, she relished her own company. Her little house with its attic was perfect for her.
Why then, when everything was going well was she so unsettled? Okay there wasn’t a man in her life, but Felix the Finger, as she called her vibrating bullet, did a more than adequate job when needed. It was a pity he only worked in one area at once, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. He was better than the assholes who turned up on Ballingal and expected the women to be so sex starved that they’d jump at the chance of inferior, wham, bam, thank you ma’am, no-strings sex. They soon learned.
Kristin reached the wooden jetty and walked toward the spot where the post boat, which doubled as a ferry, tied up. It called on its way down the loch, and then again several hours later, on its return journey. Just long enough for people to get off, wander round, and see what birds and animals they could catch a glimpse of, then hopefully spend some money in the cafe and shops before they left and Ballingal returned to its allegedly sleepy self.
The boat, not much more than a small cabin cruiser, gave its customary double blast of its horn as it approached. Whether it was as warning it was about to arrive or a welcome toot, no one was ever sure. A warning wasn’t needed. As it only called three times a week, someone was always ready to collect whatever parcels and post arrived.
As any of them would, Kristin let go of her cloak to catch the rope that swung toward her, and tied it around the bollard. Even though it would berth no longer than the few minutes it took to unload, safety was paramount. No one wanted it to swing out and leave some poor unsuspecting disembarking passenger between the boat and the shore.
The cloak, freed from its confines, flapped in the wind like a demented hen. Kristin’s long red hair joined suit, and hairpins scattered over the jetty like pebbles on a beach. Strands of hair filled her mouth and covered her eyes as she checked the mooring rope was secure. Once satisfied, she blew her hair off her face, straightened up, and moved forward to help any passengers onto dry land. Then she would point them in the direction they needed to go, before she collected the post sack.
She was so busy trying to plait her hair and hope the strands stayed twisted together long enough for her to greet people politely, that she almost missed the prickle that snaked up her spine.
The “something is amiss and it’s not going to be good” prickle. “Well, hello, Mrs. McCrory. We meet again.”
Surely after all this time, she should know better than to ignore

that early warning signal. She jerked her head up and squinted into the late spring sunshine. The plait disintegrated into flying strands once more.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” she demanded.
Flynn McCrory stood in front of her. Tall dark, and oh so dangerous. And he looked like death warmed up.
What the hell has happened to him?
Kristin’s muscles contracted and a dart of lust shot through her from her nipples to her pussy. She clenched her teeth to stop a long low moan escaping.
Damn him, why do I react like a sex-starved teenager when I see him?
He removed the ever-present sunglasses, squinted at her, and flicked the messy curls of his hair back from his face. Then he smiled. It didn’t reach his eyes.
“I’m ready to sub.” 

~~~~~~~
Catch the other #MidWeekTease excerpts


happy reading,

love Raven x

Sunday 28 August 2016

#SexySnippets and a man at the end of his teather


Hi everyone, and welcome to #SexySnippets. Where we tease you with seven sentences from a book or WIP.



It's always great fun choosing a snippet and this week was no exception. However, really there was no contest. After all I just got a brand new cover title and blurb for a Regency that is up for preorder on Amazon and Kobo.


The Lord's Persuasion of Lady Lydia



Don't you just love the cover? I was privileged to be asked for some input and this is just perfect and I truly love it.

Blurb...


Seducing the wallflower…
Over the years, Lydia Field has perfected the art of being a wallflower. It’s the only way to avoid the attention of unwanted suitors – and the perils of a convenient, loveless marriage! Instead, she dreams of the day she can leave London’s high society behind her, trading the glamorous balls and afternoon teas for a quiet life in the country.
But in an unguarded moment, she finds herself catching the eye of notorious rake ‘Handsome Harry’, Lord Birnham. Now that he’s glimpsed the wildness and fire that lurks beneath Lydia’s demure exterior, Lord Birnham will not rest until he has unleashed the full extent of her passion!

For if there’s one skill that Lord Birnham is known for, it’s the art of persuasion…

and your #SexySnippets

Lydia gasped and Esther coughed dramatically. Jeremy ignored them both.
‘Manners.’ Harry narrowed his eyes and Jeremy looked a little discomforted. ‘I know so,’ Harry continued implacably. ‘Now unless you intend to be polite and greet us like a proper human being I suggest you leave.’ Harry paused. ‘Now.’
‘Oh all right, good afternoon everyone.’ Jeremy looked at Lydia with a curious expression. 
      Calculating, considering, almost evil; it made her shudder in trepidation. 

Catch all the other #SexySnippets here 

The Lord's Persuasion of Lady Lydia is now up for preorder.

Happy reading,

love Raven x

Wednesday 24 August 2016

#MidWeekTease where Harry asks Lydia a very important question #TeamHarry


Hi all and welcome to #MidWeekTease


Where we tease and hopefully tantalise you with a few paragraphs of a book or WIP.

This week I got my lovely cover, title and blurb for my latest Regency which is up for preorder 
on Amazon .com here
on Amazon .co.uk here
and also on Kobo here



blurb...

Seducing the wallflower…
Over the years, Lydia Field has perfected the art of being a wallflower. It’s the only way to avoid the attention of unwanted suitors – and the perils of a convenient, loveless marriage! Instead, she dreams of the day she can leave London’s high society behind her, trading the glamorous balls and afternoon teas for a quiet life in the country.
But in an unguarded moment, she finds herself catching the eye of notorious rake ‘Handsome Harry’, Lord Birnham. Now that he’s glimpsed the wildness and fire that lurks beneath Lydia’s demure exterior, Lord Birnham will not rest until he has unleashed the full extent of her passion!

For if there’s one skill that Lord Birnham is known for, it’s the art of persuasion…

And your #MidWeekTease...

‘Why people think you are sweet and effacing, I can not fathom. You are anything but, aren’t you?’
Lydia glanced around to make sure no one else was in earshot. As most people were either on the dance floor, gossiping in groups or at the card tables in another salon, the room was almost empty. ‘I want to be seen to be all of those things. I do not want to be part of all this.’ She waved her hand towards the ballroom. ‘I can’t do much else for my parents other than be seen as a disappointment to them, and therefore intend to cause no, or only a small scandal when I retire in a week or so. It will be “Those poor Fields, but it’s all for the better. Lydia was never going to catch the eye of a gentleman so she’s in the best place for her. Now the Fields can enjoy life without worrying what to do with her.” No one will actually enquire where I am. Or if they do will be told something innocuous.’ She took another sip of wine and looked at Harry over the rim of the heavy crystal goblet. He sat back in the chair next to her, his long legs stretched out in front of him and eyed her closely.
‘What? Do I have wine on my gown or a spider in my hair?’
He shook his head. ‘I can not believe how well you have deceived everyone, including me. Life will be interesting from now on.’
 Why? Lydia decided not to ask him. She put her glass down and stood up. ‘I best go back to the ballroom before my mama realises I’m gone.’
 ‘Oh she’ll have realised,’ Harry said, ‘but also seen you were with me and accepted it,’ he finished shrewdly. ‘But by all means run away.’
 Lydia glowered at him and curtseyed. ‘Thank you, my lord. There is no need for me to run. A brisk walk with be sufficient.’ His shout of laughter made her sit down again with a thump.
 Damned infuriating man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Catch all the other #MidWeekTease posts

Happy reading.
love Raven x 

Sunday 21 August 2016

#SexySnippets from #TeamHarry where he wonders...rather a lot

...which will be named and have a cover reveal tomorrow,at 3pm...


'Be gentle, Harry, she’s not the sort who understands innuendo and the badinage you men enjoy with ladies of a more robust nature. Lydia is a quiet, biddable sweet young thing who would make any man a dutiful wife.’
His godmother sounded so certain, Harry wondered if he had imagined those few moments of vivacity from Lydia earlier. Maybe it was down to her situation at that time? Although the thought of Lydia naked writhing under him in excstacy as he discovered the true woman beneath the prim and proper and boring persona she presented, was enough for him to rue how tight his clothes were.

Harry smiled vaguely, discretely adjusted his now more than interested cock and ran his finger around the top of the immaculate cravat that threatened to choke him. 
Whatever, he still intended to carry out his plan.

This is on Amazon as book 7 for preorder. 

You can read all the #SexySnippets by clicking here

Happy reading, and roll on Monday at 3pm Uk time
love, Raven x