And The Winner is....

Sebrina!!

Congratulations and I'll get those copies of A Perfect Lady and Playing with Fire to you ASAP!

Thanks to everyone who followed and commented! It's great to see some new faces around here and I hope you'll all come by and visit again!

Yes, I am Still Here

Clawing out from beneath the mountain of Real Life and Book-to-be-Written that has buried me for the last two weeks to remind everyone that yes, I am still alive and well and have great hopes of someday returning to the world of regular blogging.

At the moment, I hate A Perfect Lady. Hate it. Want to punch James and Rebecca in the face kind of hate it. So, I'm taking a few days to wrap up a few other projects. Then I'll go back and deal with those two. God help them if they don't behave. Seriously. I'd kill one of them off, except I need them.Gah!

I've also been thinking about the contest I was running. Since it seems as if there is no interest, I'm going to call it off. However, if anyone who commented is still interested, just drop me an email at kimberlynee AT gmail DOT com and let me know.

I'm so hopelessly behind in my blog-reading and commenting as well. And my Six-Sentences just haven't happened. I used to think it would be so awesome to be offered a contract based on a very loose outline. But I'm thinking that's not necessarily the case. I far prefer having a finished book to having to write the entire thing under such a tight deadline. I normally write well under pressure, but this has just been a bit too much, especially with everything else going on in Real Life. A Perfect Lady and the need to simply. Get. It. Written. is proving to be more pressure than I want or need right now. Maybe someday, when life calms a bit. But now? Not a good idea. I don't know how other writers do it.

So bear with me for a few more weeks - once this book is finished - and I will be back.

You have been warned. :-D

Happy Birthday, A Few Thoughts (And Some News, Too!)

Okay, it's a little silly, but today, A Few Thoughts turns five. I looked back at the very first post, which is amazingly boring. Some six months after I posted it, someone commented. I remember being shocked - shocked, I tells ya - that someone actually --yanno - read my blog. I clicked on it (I was moderating comments at the time) and....

It was spam for a porn site.

Ouch.

Okay, so the blog's come a long way since then - now my comments are usually from real people (I still get the occasional spam link) and I love reading them! I don't blog as much as I used to - although I keep telling myself I will get back to it. And I will. Promise. :-)

And now for the news...

I recently sold A Perfect Lady to Aspen Mountain Press/Aurora Regency Historicals and it's set to be released in October to coincide with Aurora Regency Historicals first anniversary. It's the first book I've sold based on only a rough outline, so now I'm under the gun to get the book written. It's almost halfway finished right now and it's what's keeping me from a lot of other things. I've never worked under these circumstances - my books are usually completed by the time I sell them - so this is new (and stressful) for me.

A Perfect Lady is a McKenzie book, a prequel to Playing with Fire and The Pursuit. It's James and Rebecca McKenzie's story, which starts with one night of unbridled passion (if you're going to have passion, it might as well be unbridled, right?) and ends with... well... you'll just have to read the book when it comes out, right?

So, in order to celebrate both this sale and A Few Thoughts' birthday, I think I'll hold a bit of a contest. From now until May 15th, just leave a comment here to enter for your chance to win digital copies of Playing with Fire and The Pursuit.

Happy reading!

Oh Look! Another Contest!

Like contests? Want to win some free books?

If so, then have I got a contest for you!

Pop on over to the Aurora Regency/Aurora Regency Historicals blog and check out your chance to win five free Aurora Regency/Aurora Regency Historicals ebooks! The contest runs from now through March 31st and it's very easy to enter. So pop on over and take a look!

Quick Update

Thanks to everyone who entered my "Name That Book" contest! There were some terrific entries and I will be posting the winner in just a few days. Unfortunately, I've been sick since the end of last week so things have kind of gone by the wayside. I was feeling better until yesterday, when I started feeling lousy all over again.

Just bear with me - I'll be back soon.

At Last! A Contest!

And it's a very simple contest. As I said in a previous post, I hate the title for The King's Bride and I need to change it before I submit it. Trouble is, no matter what, I can't think of anything better.

So, here's the contest - best book title wins a copy of Tiger Eyes and After the Storm (and an acknowledgment in the book when/if it sells!) I'll post the synopsis to the King's Bride, and all you need to do is come up a title for it. The contest will run through January 31st and all entries should be sent to kimberlynee AT gmail DOT com.

Good luck!!!

The King’s Bride

Synopsis

With his coronation imminent, Stefan Vanechka, the Crown Prince of Mordainia, has no choice but to accept the bride who has already been chosen for him, a woman he has never met. Faced with threats from both outside his kingdom, as well as within, he not only must do his duty, but he needs this woman. The woman chosen to be his bride is a Seer, and he will do what he must in order to protect his people and his throne.

Kristian Petroviya never knew she carried royal blood in her veins, and that she was betrothed at birth to the future King of Mordainia. Spirited far into the wilds of Mordainia as a child, she grew up knowing nothing of her heritage, or what was expected of her in regards to her gift. Rather, she was raised as being only one step above a peasant, reared by an aunt who used that gift for her own advantage, until Kristian was able to free herself  and begin her life anew. Marriage to anyone, least of all a future king, was the furthest thing on her mind and the last thing she wished to do.

Left with no choice but to accompany Stefan and his men back to Mordainia’s capital, Kristian is forced to accept a truth she’d never dreamed possible. And as they journey on, neither can deny the growing attraction between them. But when Kristian discovers the truth as to why he has come for her, and what her gift means for the future of his reign, it threatens to destroy not only lifelong friendships and growing trust, but Mordainia’s existence as well.

Edited: Please put Title Contest in the subject line of your email. ! :-)

Release Day and a Possible Contest!

Okay, I kind of forgot about the excerpts (sorry about that), but After the Storm is now available both in digital format and in print!

Here's the back cover copy:

When her father’s death leaves her in need of the protection of marriage, Miranda MacDonough travels from her home in Scotland to live in England with an aunt she hardly knows. There, she will learn everything necessary to make her into an acceptable society lady. The only problem is, the one man who makes her heart beat faster and her breath difficult to catch belongs to someone else.

Hugh Montgomery, the Duke of Thorpeton, has spent his life doing exactly what was expected of him, right down to the woman he is expected to marry, one chosen for him. What he hadn’t expected was to meet a woman such as Miranda, who will turn his world upside down and leave him torn between honoring his father’s dying wish or surrendering to his desire.

And here is an excerpt:

...she prayed time would halt but for five minutes. That was all she asked—five minutes more.

But time would not freeze and her absence would be noticed. “Hugh,” she whispered, “I should be going below…my aunt…you need to finish dressing and this is utterly improper. Why, should someone catch us…”

Hugh shook his head ever so slowly, still holding her gaze. “No one would dare enter without my permission. Not even my valet takes such liberty.” He stroked her thumbs again, his voice softer and deeper still. “I thank you for your help, Randi. There are those days when I miss my youth. When I needed no help. From anyone.”

"You are hardly old, Your Grace.” Why was her breath so hard to catch? Another flutter through her belly and the breathlessness worsened.

“I am fraying a tad at the seams these days, I’m afraid.” His words were soft, and sadness tinged his grin.

A deep breath did little to quell that returning sense of wickedness as she bent forward to whisper in his ear, “I happen to like frayed seams.”

He turned, caught her completely by surprise as his lips found hers.

Want to read more (and you know you do!)?? You can find it in digital format at Amazon, and The Wild Rose Press. Want a print copy? Check it out here and here!

Now, I've been thinking of holding a contest to celebrate the releases of both After the Storm and Tiger Eyes. But then I thought, what if I announce it, and no one is interested (the horror!)?

So, I am going to do a little research (begging? pleading?) to find out if there's any interest. The idea was a Name My Next Book contest. The King's Bride is ready to go out on submission, except I hate the title. And since I suck at titles, I thought - why not pick everyone else's brains and throw in a few prizes for their effort? I'd post the book's synopsis, and offer copies of Tiger Eyes and After the Storm for the best title.

Interested? Let me know what you think!

A Quick Detour

I'm thinking of hosting a contest to celebrate the true releases of The Pursuit and Playing With Fire. Now they won't be out until later this fall, but it's never too soon to begin planning, right?

So, here is where I call on my wonderful readers (and I know you're out there!) to tell me what they think or what they'd like to see as prizes.

Right now. I have books to offer as prizes. I have ARCs (complete with editor notes that'll make you laugh or cringe.) I have earlier drafts loaded with my own revisions and notes scratched from front to back on page after page. If it's on paper - I have it as a possible prize.

But I also had an interesting idea. I've seen done before and wondered about holding a contest where the main winner - the grand prize, so to speak - is the winner appearing in a future book as a major secondary character. Now, I've never done a contest of this sort, so I'd love to hear some information either for or against such a contest. Pros and cons would be super appreciated, so anyone who has an experience to share - I'd love to hear it so leave me a comment!

I've got time, but it's going to go fast, so get your ideas in quickly! I'm dying to hear any and all suggestions!

Happy Birthday, A Few Thoughts!

Whoa... I was checking my email when a Google reminder popped up to let me know that my little blog is four years old. Egads... that's so hard to believe. Four years of rants and raves, ups and downs, good news and bad news...

Thanks to everyone who's read it - whether on a regular basis or a Oh, yeah, I haven't been on that blog in forever. Maybe she actually has something new posted basis. And many thanks to everyone who's taken the time to leave a comment (even if it wasn't the nicest of comments. :D)

Now, unfortunately, since I kind of **coughcough**forgot**coughcough** about this birthday, I don't have anything to celebrate it. However, I will. I promise. It will combine this and my upcoming Aspen Mountain Aurora Regency release, The Pursuit. Perhaps an ARC as a prize... I don't know yet. Either way, I will eventually have something (since The Pursuit doesn't come out until July... ugh... I should set that reminder for more than the day before. **facepalm** what was I  thinking??

And, as always, any contest suggestions (or prize suggestions) are always welcome!

The Sammies are Here!

It's that time again - Samhain Publishing is awarding the Reader's Choice Sammie to the best book(s) of 2009.

Sooo... here's my shameless plea - pop on over to Samhain Publishing's website, follow the link, and vote for Eden's Pass!

Please and thank you!!!!!!

Beyond Frustrating

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know at least a little something about the ongoing saga of my website and why my (hopefully) soon to be ex-web guy drives me to drink. I seriously wonder how this guy can possibly still be in business. If he returns emails to everyone the way he returns mine (which is to say, he doesn't in anything remotely resembling a timely fashion), it defies all logic.

The saga began in mid-December, when my website was, once again, no longer accessible. It took me almost two weeks of emailing him to get that resolved. That's when I decided (since having to chase this fool down is SOP) I would rather have the headache of doing the website myself than the migraine of chasing this fool down.

And so it began, on January 2. It took me days to get a response each time I had to email him about something. I got the file transfer protocol thingie loaded on my machine - had a problem with it, emailed him about it. I never heard back, despite several emails. Finally, by sheer, dumb luck, I stumbled across the answer to the problem myself and fixed it. Still no word from web guy.

The last time I've heard from him was January 24. My most recent (and decidedly testier) email went out on February 6. Still no word. I've gotten a hosting account, the FTP, and everything else ready. All I need is him to give me the freakin' files.

Have I heard anything?

NO!!!!!

Okay, is it me? Am I being too demanding? Am I out of line in thinking that it should never take this much time and/or aggravation to get something that belongs to me in the first place? I know I'm not the most patient person in the world, but I think I've been pretty relaxed about this whole nightmare and now, I'm getting pissed off. Am I overreacting?

This is so beyond ridiculous that I can actually feel my blood pressure rise at the thought alone. Am I asking so much, that he not take two or three weeks to answer an email?

I can not wait for this to be over with and to tell this fool where he can go. I've had it. I'm sick of chasing him down and hounding him to get responses. If this is his idea of professionalism, it goes beyond sucking.

Okay, rant over. I feel better. And on a happier note, don't forget to check out the Valentine's Contest over at Editortera's Blog!

Getting It Together

Finally, the WIP stack is coming under control. For now anyway.

I'm about thisclose to being almost finished with the revised version of After the Storm, which is a huuuuuge deal, since I've been rewriting it since mid-October. Amongst other things, that is. But it's almost done and that's a good thing. I'm sick of looking at it, to be honest.

I spent last week knitting like a fool. My nephew's due date was Valentine's Day. So I figured I'd be finished with his blanket by this past weekend. You'll notice I'm using past tense there. That is because he decided to make his entrance into the world a week early! Yay! Even though it meant I basically did nothing but knit from 8AM Friday morning until 3AM Saturday morning to finish his blanket. But I did and all was well. He's beautiful and healthy and home with Mommy and Daddy, both of whom are frazzled but good as well. So that's a happy deadline I didn't mind nearly killing myself to make.

My back is also thisclose to being back (haha) to 100%, though it is a little tired from emptying the gerbil tanks last night. Still, it isn't exactly pain, so all is right there as well.

I spent part of yesterday going through my NaNo novel. Yep - I think there's a salvageable story there and the wheels are spinning on the revisions. Yay for that.

And so it's back to work now. Gotta finish up After the Storm since my goal is to have it on my editor's cyber desk by the end of the week!

Also, don't forget to check out Editortera's Blog. The Valentine's contest is going strong and if you missed my excerpt on Friday (why? how?) there's still time to enter for the Grand Prize - which is pretty cool! Go and check it out. Now!!! =)

Odds n' Ends

So, I'm still waiting for my web guy to get back to me. How many emails can you send someone before it's considered stalking? It's driving me batty because I really want to get my web site up to date, and there's nothing more irritating than emails that aren't answered. Well, there is, but right now, this is at the top of my tick-me-off list.

I finished the major revisions on After the Storm. Now it's time to let it stew for a few days, give it a final read-through, and then off to my editor. Yay! That means I'll be able to tackle the other WIPs cluttering my desk. I think I'll attack my NaNo manuscript first. That was a fun story, and hopefully I'll be able to do something with it.

After that? Well, I just don't know. And I'm not worrying about it, either, so there.

It snowed today - I went out and romped with the kids before dinner. It was a lot of fun, but my back's still not at 100%, so it's a little tight right now. Nothing that a few hours with the heating pad, and an Icy/Hot patch at bedtime won't cure. I need to get back to the gym before I go completely insane. It's been 3 weeks. Ugh. Three. Frickin'. Weeks.

My husband's sick. Again. He was sick about three weeks ago (right around the time I first hurt my back. Hmmm... a connection, perhaps???). And now he's sick again. I managed to avoid it last time and I can only hope that I avoid it again.

Oh, make sure you go and check out Editortera's Blog this week. She's my editor over at Samhain, and hosting a contest that runs from now until February 13. It's a totally cool contest in which Samhain authors Danielle Devon, T.A. Chase, Rita Oberlies, Dawn Brown, Lexi Adair, Avery Beck, Angelle Trieste, Lissa Matthews, Denise Belinda McDonald, Kelly Jamieson, and I will each post an excerpt (one per day) and you get to continue writing the story as you think it should unfold (up to 250 words). A winner will be chosen each day, and a grand prize will be drawn on February 14th! And, let me tell you, there are some pretty sweet prizes being offered. So go on over and check it out, read some awesome excerpts by some awesome authors and unleash your own creative side!

What a Week...

I promise, I will get back to regular blogging someday. Honest. But the last two weeks have been majorly sucky and my time seems to just kind of go poof! And before I know it, it's time for me to go to sleep.

I tweaked my back again last week - cleaning the stupid gerbil tank. Then my husband, who knew I was going to clean the tank - and for the benefit of those of you who weren't in my house last Saturday - here is a recap:

Him: What do you need that for? (points to Hefty bag in my hand)

Me: I'm going up to clean out the boys' tank,

Him: I thought you only had to do that every two weeks?

Me: Well, you do usually - but there are four gerbils in one tank, and it kind of smells a little. Might as well empty it.

Him: Oh. Okay.

Now mind you, this is a big 20-gallon tank. A heavy 20 gallon tank. An awkward 20-gallon tank.

And I am dumb.

So after the Girl and I corral the gerbils into their little tiny travel box, it's time to tackle the tank.

I pick it up and **owowowowowowowowowow**

Back. Hurts. Ow.

But the tank won't clean itself.

And I am dumb.

Did I mention that?

So I clean the tank. It's easy, really. Dump out the fluff, (CareFresh bedding - great stuff if you have gerbils or hamsters) wipe out any leftover fluff with a damp paper towel. Replace fluff with fresh fluff (I try to do blue for the boys and pink for Eddie - who's a girl - but it doesn't always work out. Right now, they have a blend of pink and purple. They don't complain, so I guess they like it.)

By now, I'm walking bent at a 45 degree angle. My. Back. HURTS.

Put refill the fluff. (ow) Put the toys back. (ow) Get fresh water. (ow) Give them food. (ow)

And now, I look over at Eddie's tank. It's small - 5-gallons. Light. Or, as light as a 5-gallon tank can be.

So what do you think I do?

Remember, I am dumb.

By the time I finished cleaning her tank, I can barely move. But I am dumb, so I pick up the now-full Hefty bag (thank GOD the fluff weighed almost nothing or else I might have cried the entire way back down to throw it out.)

I gimp into the family room, (2 floors down) and I am shuffling along, like my feet were tied together.

Husband looks up at me.

Him: What's with you.

Me: (owowowowow) I hurt my back again.

Him: Why didn't you ask me to empty the tanks?

Me: **POOF** (head exploding)

Me: WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO ASK YOU WHEN YOU KNEW I WAS GOING UP TO EMPTY IT!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE OFFERED!!!

Him: Oh.

So, at 7:30PM, I was in bed, watching Season Five (or maybe six, I don't really remember) of M*A*S*H, heating pad on, Tylenol working its way through my system.

It's feeling better now, thank God.

But I'm still waiting for my web guy to send me the files I need to take over my website. I've been waiting since last Saturday. How many emails does one person need to receive to figure out that I'd really like a reply and I'd really like those freakin' files? THIS is why I'm chancing doing this website thing myself. Am I overreacting or is this just insanity? Am I asking that much - that he actually reply to me in a timely manner? I think over a week is not exactly timely. Grrr... I get ticked just thinking about it. I can't wait until this is all behind me...

And so, that was my week. Busy. Sore. And I am sooooo not getting near those gerbil tanks at all this weekend.

So, I will return to regular blogging in the next week or so.

Or so I hope.


Oh, and one little reminder - There's a great contest coming up over on my editor's blog right here. It'll run from February 1-14 - with excerpts and great prizes. So go over and check it out and look for my excerpt on February 6!

Still Cruisin' Along

So, the new book is coming along nicely. It's just wonderful when a story cooperates, isn't it? And this one is definitely cooperating. Well, it's cooperating for now, anyway. I don't want to jinx it, you know. But it's behaving itself and I'm enjoying writing it. It's funny, because I thought I was done with the Regency for a while, but Diego's story, which I was working on, hit a snag. I think I hooked Diego and Gabby up too quickly. It works in the story, since they have a past and all, but I think it still might have happened too soon. So, up on the shelf it went, so to speak, and I went wandering back to the Regency. I like it there. I have a lot of notes and research materials, and it concerns characters I've already created, so it's like visiting with old friends.

Went to see my ortho today and, just as I expected, he wants an MRI. The Lodine didn't do much aside from make me itchy, which really isn't what my doctor or I wanted, so off to the radiology people tomorrow for the MRI. I've never had one before, and I was very relieved to hear that I will only be in the tube roughly up to my shoulders. Whew. I get claustrophobic, so I was glad to hear that my entire self doesn't have to go in the tube. And there'll be no needles either, which is another whew. Don't like needles. At. All.

We've also got a winner in the Eden's Pass contest - I will be announcing that either tomorrow or Saturday, after I contact the winner to let them know.

We're having the Boy's birthday party on Saturday, which should be fun, but then it's back to writing, writing, writing. I'm on a roll and can't wait to get back to it!

Mea Culpa and All That...

Unfortunately, between two sick kids and various other unforeseen twists, the excerpt contest for Eden's Pass has come to an early and kind of abrupt end. Thanks to everyone who participated, and the winner will announced later in the week. I apologize for yanking it so suddenly, but it isn't fair to anyone if I can't concentrate fully on what I"m excerpting and the questions going along with it.

Hopefully, I'll resume regular blogging - but I'm in the midst of a writing frenzy and licking my wounds from a recent rejection (it sucks, no matter how many books you've had published, trust me) so it may be some time. And, of course, there's NaNoWriMo looming on the horizon. And then we're heading into the holidays - yikes... always a busy time and this year's no different. =)

So again, thanks to all who entered and the winner will be notified by email before I post anything here!

Eden's Pass Excerpt #4

I have to apologize for not posting this yesterday - real life got in the way....


The scene - It is the first time Finn assists Captain Sebastiano with his bath...

~*~

The flutters swirled wildly out of control as there came a knock at the door and Iñigo bade entry to two men carrying a large bathing tub made of hammered brass.

Water must have been already heating, for it wasn’t much longer before those same two men were lugging in buckets to empty into the tub. With each splash, Finn’s mouth grew drier and her palms clammier. Her heart hammered against her ribs and her nervousness rose tenfold as the last bucket was emptied and both men left. Iñigo bolted the door behind them and turned to her, saying, "Show a leg, Finn."

Finn glanced at the table, where the lash still lay, then back at the captain. He smiled, as if he knew what she was thinking. "If you think you might outrun me, dear boy, by all means, try to grab it."

"I’ve no need for a whip." She shook her head. "I’ll end your life with a blade."


"Of course you will." He turned away from her, and she was certain her heart actually ceased to beat as he parted the black silk shirt he wore and tossed it onto the chair.

Her gaze swept over his bared back, her mouth suddenly as dry as sand. His skin was dark—bronzed by both sun and heritage. At the slightest movement, thick cords of muscle bunched across his shoulders. For one daring moment, she imagined what that part of his body looked like—that part now covered by snug black breeches.


"Finn."

She jumped, then sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the hammock. Heat swelled inside her, until she was certain her face must be a flaming red. It didn’t stop her from easing down and crossing over to him on trembling legs. "Aye?"


He turned, smiling at her muttered growl. "Ah, I only had to repeat it once. Good. You are learning."

She averted her eyes, but not before catching her first glimpse of his nude chest. That damn heat swelled further at the sight—beautiful and bronzed and—

Where the devil had beautiful come from? She swallowed hard. Her thoughts caused almost as much discomfort as his bared body. They made her giddy, almost faint, and her wobbly legs grew wobblier still. The lack of food was most likely the cause behind it. There could be no other logical explanation why she was on the verge of collapsing.

Of course, why should his chest fluster her the way it did? Why should it make her so shaky? It made no sense. It certainly was not the first time she’d ever seen a man’s bared chest. Beauregard's crew often went shirtless beneath the hot West Indies sun. There were many times when she almost wished she could do the same, rather than sweat beneath those powerful rays.


But flustered she was. She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the funny tightening in her belly. Gaze remaining focused on the floor, she muttered, "Aye."

"Feeling a bit priggish, dear boy?" Iñigo asked mildly.


Her head jerked up and she hoped he couldn’t see the blush burning her cheeks. "I beg your pardon?"

"Priggish. Embarrassed. Surely I’ve nothing your own clothes do not cover as well."


She was as impressed by his command of English as she was embarrassed by his state of undress. Were it not for the curious, almost musical, lilt to his words, she would guess English was his native tongue. This wasn’t the time to dwell upon it, as he awaited her response—

"No, of-of course not." Her voice cracked, much to her dismay.


He chuckled. "If it bothers you, you may wait until I am in the water, then."

Relieved, she nodded. "If you’d not mind."


She turned, wincing at his dry chuckle of, "I’d not mind." Water sloshed, spattering on the floor and her belly twisted when he sighed appreciatively. A moment later, came his almost-purred, "You may begin, Finn."

She took a deep breath before turning to see Iñigo relaxing in the tub, eyes closed and head resting back, arms resting on the rim, long-fingered hands at ease as they dangled over the sides. His expression was one of a man at total peace.


A washrag and a small cake of soap lay on the chair beside the tub. Willing her knees to stop quaking, Finn forced herself to cross over and lift both items, one in each hand. Kneeling, she dunked the rag into the hot water before mangling the soap with it. "Captain?"

Without a word, Iñigo sat up, leaning forward and resting his forearms on his drawn-up knees. She had to tighten her grip on the soap to keep from dropping it as the water sloshed to accommodate Iñigo’s big body. It rose above his hips and was still quite clear, giving her more than a bit of an enticing peek at the firm curve of his backside.

Her hand trembled as she splopped the rag against his smooth skin and began washing him. She pressed into his flesh, lathering his golden skin to a foamy whiteness, struggling not to notice how solid he was, how broad his shoulders were, how wide his back was. Tried not to notice the way those thick bands of muscle bunched with the tiniest hint of movement.

Scrubbing the back of his neck, she was nearly overcome with the maddest urge to lean forward and nibble swarthy skin she’d bared. The soap slipped from her grasp, plunking into the water to send up a showering spray of droplets. "Oh, bloody hell!"

"Take care, Finn," Iñigo growled, lifting his head to peer over one shoulder. "You’d not like it if I thought my life might be in danger."

"I—I apologize." She thrust her hand into the water to scrabble about for the soap. Gritting her teeth against her rising curse, she managed to snag it on the third grab.

Iñigo let out a long, low purr of satisfaction as she resumed scrubbing. Water beaded along the swells of muscle on his shoulders and down his back. Instead of making his hair limp, the steam made the black waves curl about his nape and his temples, appearing to make it even thicker.

She clutched the rag and soap in a fist as she moved around to the side. The groan teasing her lips was even harder to suppress. Her hunger forgotten, she leaned over to drag the rag over his chest. One whiff of his clean, masculine scent, and her knees almost buckled.

He leaned back and she hesitated, glancing down at the now sudsy water hiding his most secret part. Nothing ventured. She dipped down to scrub his inner thigh.

Iñigo lunged forward to seize both soap and rag, nearly toppling her face-first into the tub. Catching herself on the tub’s rim, she managed to regain her balance, sputtering, "What the devil—?"

Iñigo's expression was one of pure disgust as he snarled, "Get yourself dressed, boy. I can finish this myself."

A firm hand to her breastbone accompanied his order, shoving her back and away from the tub. Landing on her backside with a jarring thud, she stared, unable to decide whether she ought be angry or confused. A sudden giggle rose in her throat. He reacted only when she’d ventured down between his legs, and she swallowed it as quickly as possible, not wanting to anger him further.

~*~

Enjoy!

Eden's Past Contest - Questions for Round #3

And here they are -

1) What was it Finn almost prayed for?

2) what did Finn find so amusing

3) What did Inigo show little concern for?

Good luck! =)

Eden's Pass Contest ~ Excerpt #3

The setting - the Spaniards have just defeated the crew of the Smiling Jack...

Enjoy! =)


Finn squelched the urge to look at Captain Beauregard again. She did not wish to see what these marauders had done to him, did not wish to see any more spilled blood. She'd seen more than enough to last her a lifetime already. Besides, it mattered not how he died—all that mattered was that he had. It was something she'd almost prayed for, but this was not the ending for which she'd hoped. She was to be free, not the possession of yet another.


She pulled her eyes from her weapon now in the Spaniard's hands. "What have you planned for us, then?"

The man ignored her. His men apparently awaited his orders and he was quick to issue them in rapid-fire Spanish. Only moments later, the few men who'd surrendered had already taken the oath to join the Spanish crew. They marched from the Smiling Jack across the makeshift bridge to the ship now quietly bumping up against them.


Thoroughly defeated now, she turned back to the Spaniard, repeating, "And what of us?"

He flashed a maddeningly smug smile. "You will come with me, boy. I could use able-bodied swordsmen, seeing as how you dispatched one of my best men. This one seems equally skilled. You will be given the opportunity to earn your keep. After you pledge fealty to me, of course."

Mayhap it wasn't merely good fortune after all, if the Spaniard considered her an able-bodied swordsman. It was almost amusing, wondering what he'd think if he knew the truth. Her amusement was short-lived though. Nay. He also must never know the truth. "You wish me to join you?"


"Aye, lad. I am Captain Iñigo Sebastiano and you are my new cabin boy. And you, lad—" he clapped Ennis on the shoulder, "—will make for a fine deckhand."

Ennis nodded. "Aye, Captain. That is how I served Beauregard. I will, of course, take your oath."
Captain Sebastiano smiled down at both of them. "You will not be unhappy, my new friends. I run a fair ship. There are few who complain."


Finn gritted her teeth at his jovial tone. Few who complain, eh? Well, she supposed she could find some way to swallow any complaints she might have. It did not sit well, having her promised freedom stolen with such swift ease, but she would eventually find her way to it. She had no intention of vowing loyalty to him. Not now and not ever.

Her resolve was short-lived, though. How terrible could it be? After all, it was exactly what she had done onboard Beauregard's ship, wasn't it? Of course, it would mean remaining in disguise, but at least she might find some way to obtain the elusive specter of freedom. Exhaling heavily, she nodded. "Very well. I, too, will pledge loyalty."


Iñigo smiled again. "Shall we?" He gestured toward the makeshift bridge and she swallowed hard again. He didn't seem to be the least bit concerned with the cargo the Smiling Jack carried. It was almost as if his battle with them was personal. But why would this Spaniard have a vendetta against Captain Beauregard?

She kept quiet as Iñigo took her by the arm, shouted something across the deck, and they were joined by a second Spaniard who was every bit as frightening as the first. "Aye, Captain?"


"Diego—" The name was all she understood as he broke into Spanish, walking her and Ennis toward the rickety-looking bridge spanning the distance between the two ships. Diego was almost as tall as the captain, with a thick fall of shaggy black hair and an equally shaggy black beard. His heavy-lidded, dark-eyed gaze flicked in her direction, but snapped back as Iñigo spoke in rapid Spanish. Apparently, his orders had been to separate her and Ennis, for when they set foot onboard the Spaniard's ship, Diego steered Ennis in the opposite direction.

The pit of her stomach dropped with a sickening splash as Iñigo faced her again. She debated grabbing the dagger tucked in her tunic, but her hand remained still. There were too many Spaniards still swarming about. It was better to bide her time and await the right moment to show itself.


~*~

I'll post the questions tomorrow! Happy reading!

Eden's Pass Contest - 2nd Verse, Same as the First

I hope you enjoyed the second excerpt from Eden's Pass, and here are the questions relating to that excerpt. Just email them to me at kimberlynee AT gmail DOT com and put Excerpt #2 in the Subject line...

1.) Where is Finn wounded

2.) What jolts Finn from her daze?

3.) How is Ennis restrained?

Good luck! =)