Erotic Romance

“…maybe you’ll want to stay for coffee.” The Merry Widow #MRFWHooks #EroticRomance #Excerpt #BookSale

Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more. Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!

Here’s little steam from The Merry Widow to heat you up against the wintry weather…

EXCERPT

Jim tried to breathe normally. That wasn’t going to happen as long as he stayed in this woman’s presence. Her lips started to move. He tried to focus on what she was saying.

“No apology required. If I remember correctly—my brain is still somewhat fried—I wasn’t holding back any. I don’t want a different detective.” Merry gave him a sultry smile. “Your cock will do quite fine. I’ll gladly attest to that.”

He crossed the foyer in a flash and crushed her to his body. He kissed her hair, her forehead, her lips while her hands roamed across his back and buttocks.

“Jesus,” he exclaimed, feeling himself harden again. “I’m not a twenty-year-old.”

“Thank God.”

He jerked himself from their embrace. “I don’t know what your game is, lady. I don’t know what you want. But I’m finding it damn hard to walk out of here.”

Merry laughed. She actually laughed at him.

She gripped his arousal. “You don’t seem to have much difficulty getting hard again.” She lowered her hand. “I’m not into games, Detective. Maybe I’m too old for that. I don’t have any particular wants other than some good, mind-blowing sex—which you’ve already demonstrated the capacity for. That’s all I ask. No strings. No commitments. No expectations. No anything but hot sex.”

“Hmm. I’d be one of many if I sign on?”

“Probably.” She never hesitated. She never blinked.

“Never done it that way before.”

Merry smiled. “Neither have I, but I’m learning it can be quite stimulating—quite invigorating, actually. And after so many years of abstinence, I’m not looking for a lovey-dovey relationship. Maybe someday, but not now. I’ve made a commitment to myself to be open to new sexual experiences, new opportunities.”

“Your commitment is to yourself?”

She shrugged. “Yes. And I don’t feel a bit guilty about that. I’ve sacrificed so much of myself because of commitment, I’m setting about to reclaim part of myself.”

“So I was merely part of that reclaiming.”

“Maybe. I enjoyed it. I think you did, too. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe once was enough. Or maybe you want to stay for coffee.”

 

BLURB

The millennium arrived with such promise—will it deliver for recently widowed Merry Delaney?

 

 

So much for all the anticipation about the new millennium. Merry Delaney’s life is still in a rut and shows no signs of changing. Sex? A fading memory, gone long before her husband actually died. Excitement? Hardly the hallmark of an accountant’s life. At forty-two, what can she look forward to?

Until her best friend takes Merry’s predicament into her practiced hands. One passionate kiss unleashes possibilities Merry never dreamed of—and she wants to sample them all. Men? Women? Young? Old? Ménage? Toys? Yes, to all, to pleasure, to making up for lost time.

Enter Chicago Detective Jim Barnes, who solicits Merry’s help with a mob funds-skimming case. Can the scorching passion that soon smolders between Merry and Jim survive the escalating mob threats of exposure? Having discovered a zest for sex, will Merry ever again be satisfied with one man?

BUY LINKS

On Sale through 12/31 at Extasy Books, 40% off

https://www.extasybooks.com/the-merry-widow

Buy at other retailers:

Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/u/mK61gP

 

Click on the links to travel to the rest of today’s hooks:

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Coming in January! Swingers Light Up Vegas #Menage #EroticRomance #ShortStory

I’ve been so busy with my newest release, A Reluctant Santa, that I’ve forgotten to tell you about what’s coming next!

Swingers Light Up Vegas will release on January 30. Stay tuned for the Cover Reveal next Monday, January 2, here at the blog, on Twitter, on Facebook, and on Instagram!

On our trip to Las Vegas in November, we scoured the city for photos and adventures we could gift to a pair of our characters. We created a (very) short story to give our readers a sample of the highly charged erotic world enjoyed by a fictional mid-life couple in the swing lifestyle.

Here are some of our favorite photos:

One of the places we’ve stayed sported a Lazy River, which we fell in love with. There are several more at other venues across the city. And no, we’re not going to be specific, either about where we stayed, or where we sent our fictional couple to stay!

The High Roller LINQ sure lights up the sky at night!

Here’s the view from the lounge at the top of the Stratosphere, just after dusk:

The view out our window:

We’re looking west – the Alliant stadium is on the left, and the view sweeps northward up the Strip from there. Sunset was stunning, every night!

We were hoping something from one of these photos could be used on the cover. Did we succeed? Stay tuned for our upcoming cover reveal, on January 2.

Oh – did you think we were going to share pics of a Swing Club? This is a fictional pair, remember? However, you might enjoy our blog post about a swing club we were privileged to interview and visit a few years ago:

https://web7.editstage.com/swing-lifestyle/stay-sexy-behind-the-scenes-at-a-real-swing-club/

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Erotic Romance

Yuletide Eve Scenes and a wish from us for you #Love #Peace #Hope

Both of us who write under this pen name honor all who celebrate turning towards the light, in whatever tradition has come to be meaningful for you. At the center of this turning is warmth, love, peace, light, and hope. This is what we wish for all of you, not just in this season, but year round.

Sometimes our characters experience this as well. Here is Christmas Eve from two of our books:

From A Reluctant Santa

Set Up: Cliff spent the middle of the day playing Santa to needy kids, hosted by a local golf course lodge, with Carol assisting him as his elf. Now it’s late evening.

Carol snuggled into Cliff with his arm around her waist as they leaned against the lodge balcony railing, both of them in awe of the star-studded sky forming a canopy overhead. “This is so spectacular. The stars seem so close. And so many more are visible up here than in the city.”

“For sure. Sometimes I feel like time stands still while the night sky does its nightly dance. You should be here sometime when the Northern Lights put on a show. Dazzling. It can be like sheets of color fading in and out, daring you to ignore them. The night sky up here is so vast, almost overwhelming.”

“The stars are so brilliant. Santa won’t have any trouble navigating his way tonight.”

Cliff squeezed her tighter. “Especially if his favorite elf serves as his navigator.”

“Thanks again for taking me to the Christmas Eve service. It was so special.”

“Sarah thought you would like it.”

“It was just right. I gave up long time ago trying to deal with Christmas intellectually. I’m not into debating whether this happened or that didn’t. It’s the feeling of Christmas that moves me. And those kids certainly did that tonight. I nearly lost it when they marched down the aisle to The Little Drummer Boy with coffee cans hanging around their necks, pounding those cans like they were the most sophisticated drums ever made.”

“They were happy and proud, from the oldest to the youngest.”

“That says a lot about the adults, including children in the service like that. Wonderful. The Christmas spirit was palpable.” Carol suddenly pointed toward the sky. “Did you see that?”

“A shooting star. I hoped if we stood out here long enough we’d see some. That was a long, bright one. Don’t see many of those.”

“So fitting for the night. For Santa.” Carol hesitated. “For Santa and his elf.”

 

From The Unmasking

Set up: Nancy and Matt are dating but unsure whether it may be just a fling. She’s invited him to Christmas with her family in their North Woods cabin, and it’s now Christmas Eve:

The evening meal was a buffet of cold cuts, cheeses, breads, veggies, nuts, and eggnog. Much of the evening was spent calming the children down or revving them up about Santa. Most of the adults and even the children, with the exception of the youngest, shared stories of special Christmas memories.

Matt enjoyed listening to the stories. He laughed when Nancy’s mother said that as a child, she once thought Santa was just leaving her coal when she mistook the delivery man – dressed in a red coat, no less – for Santa. Matt’s eyes misted when Nancy shared a story of her father bouncing her on one knee while reciting from memory “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

He became anxious when he realized there were only three others remaining who had not yet shared a story. Nancy’s family was a fun family to observe, but he didn’t fit in with them. What could he offer for a story? He knew they’d expect one.

When it was his turn, the words came of their own volition. “One of my best gifts was a book called The Flight of Dragons. I was eight years old. It was a rich and wonderful book and had lots of detail about exactly how dragons fly – using the same gases that they use to breathe fire. It sure was high adventure for me – we hardly ever went to movies, and we had no TV.”

“No TV!” Michael said, aghast.

Matt smiled at the boy and continued, “That book was probably the seed that began my quest for more knowledge about ancient cultures and myths.”

“Without that book, you wouldn’t be sitting here with us tonight.” Nancy’s voice was unusually quiet, and he couldn’t read the soft expression on her face.

“I suppose you’re right. Every little step along the way shapes us in one way or another. But,” he turned to speak to the children, “I want you to know this was a fun book. I couldn’t stop reading, and I finished it by bedtime on Christmas night. Of course, I started rereading it the next morning.”

The children applauded and were joined by the adults. “I want to get that book, professor,” Michael said, coming to stand before Matt. “It sounds exciting. I especially like books about the Knights of the Round Table.”

“Me too,” Matt replied, absently brushing back a lock of hair from the boy’s forehead. “I expect in my library I have just about every book written on the subject that’s available to the public.”

“Really!” The boy’s eyes grew huge. “I’d sure like to see that library.”

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A Giveaway on every post! @LASReviews Winter Blogfest #Giveaways #RomanceNovels

Be sure to stop by Long and Short Reviews, anytime between now and December 30, for the Winter Blogfest and Giveaway. Great reading for when you need a break from your holiday prep – just leave a comment on an author’s post to enter their giveaway! Winners will be drawn on January 1.

My blogpost goes live next Thursday, December 29. I’m giving away a copy of my newest holiday story, A Reluctant Santa.

BLURB

Is it ever too late to find happiness?

They’re in their fifties. Grief-stricken (her) and battle scarred (him) from their previous loves, they don’t want to risk more heartbreak, ever. They’ll have to take it slow, talk it through, test the waters carefully. Can they make it happen at this speed, get it done in a short story, and reap the benefits of sizzling sex at their age? Why not?

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK

https://books2read.com/u/3RzZzD

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“You’re part of the problem…” #MFRWHooks #Holiday #Menage #LGBTQIA+

Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more. Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!

When I and my husband first invented Meghan Keenan, we envisioned writing a sexy romp with lots of menage scenes, capitalizing on her bisexuality. We had no idea she’d hang around for so many books. We also were moved by the way she handles herself. She’s always up front with potential relationships about the fact that she’s bi and non-monogamous. What you see is what you get.

Her good friend in Las Vegas hasn’t got that sorted out yet, and now she finds herself in a relationship that’s turning serous but is missing a crucial piece of information…

BLURB

A ring for Christmas? Sometimes what you hope for and what you fear are one and the same.

In Las Vegas for a brief stint in a musical revue and ready for some uncomplicated sex with a kindred spirit, Meghan Keenan is only too happy to resume connections with her sometimes lover, Lisa Perkins.

But Lisa’s in a quandary. Her most recent boyfriend has suddenly become serious, with hints of a diamond ring in her future – and she’s never told him she’s bisexual. What if he freaks? What if he makes her choose?

Professional photographer Bryce Henry spends his days up close and personal with beautiful models and actresses. Now he’s deeply in love with Lisa and ready to pop the question, but even he wonders about long term fidelity. What does he want, and how bad does he want it?

What will happen when Meg takes hold of Lisa’s problem and runs with it?

EXCERPT

Set Up: Lisa and Meg have spent the afternoon making love, and now they’re sitting in Lisa’s kitchen.

“So you think Bryce is going to give you a ring for Christmas?” Meg asked.

Lisa bit her lower lip and nodded.

Meg cocked her head to the side. “And that’s not good? Or is it? Do you love him?

“Of course I love him,” Lisa retorted. “That’s not the problem.”

“Well, he must love you, or he wouldn’t be giving you a ring.”

“I know he does.” Lisa paused, tightening her finger around the coffee cup. “He says he does. I believe him. At least he thinks he does.”

“Sounds like some hesitancy on your part. Are you hoping there will be a ring for Christmas?”

“Yes. But…”

Meg reached across the small table and patted Lisa’s hand. “What is it? You know you can tell me.”

“I know.” Lisa pulled her hand away. “You’re part of the problem.”

“Me! How can I be part of the problem? I’ve only met Bryce a few times, including the other night. He seems like a nice guy. And the two of you seem to do well together.”

“I don’t mean just you.” Lisa fought back tears. “Bryce doesn’t know I’m into women. That I’m bi.”

Meg gulped. “Oh my. And you think he’ll dump you because you’re bi?”

“I don’t know. I should’ve told him.”

“That’s very true. Why haven’t you?”

“I wanted to.” Lisa looked away. “In the beginning, it didn’t matter—we weren’t serious. And then once things started to change, the time never seemed quite right. I didn’t want to lose him. But now that he’s been hinting about a ring, I seem to be paralyzed.”

“But you have to tell him. Right?”

Looking back at Meg, Lisa nodded slowly. “He’ll wonder why I waited so long.”

“That can’t be helped. Now is now. How are you going to take what apparently will be a leap of faith?”

“I don’t know. I thought maybe you could help – that you might think of something I haven’t yet. I’ve thought of simply blurting it out in the middle of lovemaking. Maybe he’d like another woman to join us. I’ve thought of writing a letter, but that seems too clinical and detached. I keep wringing my hands over this, but I can’t get the words out.”

“I take it you’re not ready to give up women.”

Lisa wet her lips. “I’ve thought about it. I can’t do it. I’m bi. I like women as well as men. That’s the way it is. I’m sure there are plenty of bi women who set aside their desire for the touch of a woman to be with a man. I don’t think I can do it. That wouldn’t be me. If I tried and failed, that would be worse than what I’m facing now.”

BOOK INFO

A Ring for Christmas
Meghan’s Playhouse, Book 4
Can be read as a standalone
Pages: 37
Words: 11, 276
Genres: LGBTQIA+, Erotic Romance, Holiday Story, Contemporary Romance, Menage

 

BUY LINKS

A Ring for Christmas is on sale at the publisher’s, now through December 31, for half price:

BUY AT EXTASY BOOKS FOR $1.00  https://www.extasybooks.com/a-ring-for-christmas

BUY AT OTHER RETAIL OUTLETS  https://books2read.com/u/m2daPo

Click on the links to travel to the rest of today’s hooks:

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Don’t miss the Extasy Books Holiday Takeover Bash #Giveaways #Games #Prizes #MeetAuthors

Are you ready for another holiday party? Want to win some books?

EXtasy Books is holding a 3-day bash on the EXtasy Facebook Reader group, The Book Carousel. Lots of authors, lots of giveaways, games, contests, and I’ll give away winner’s choice of one of these four holiday books:

All you have to do is join the group and comment at least once on one of my posts in the group, December 19-21. Comment by midnight your time on the 21st and I’ll hold the drawing on the 22nd. Comment on more than one post for more contest entries – and if I get lots of comments, I’ll give away more books.

Here’s the link to join the group – and if you do join, stick around. This is where EXtasy authors run takeovers, giveaways, and fun games all year round. A great reader hangout!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookcarousel

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#New from @LisabetSarai ~ Once Upon a Blizzard: A Bisexual Holiday Romance

Lisabet Sarai has a new holiday release, and it looks yummy!

New England Nostalgia

For the past two decades I’ve resided in the tropics of Southeast Asia, but before we moved here, my husband and I lived in a rural town in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. The region offers fantastic natural beauty, wonderful local food, and a culture of easy-going individualism that suited us well. However, it also requires a certain level of fortitude from its inhabitants. One spends a significant amount of time and effort dealing with the environment: battling undergrowth, pulling weeds, raking leaves, shoveling snow, cleaning gutters, installing or removing storm windows and snow tires, checking the anti-freeze in the radiator and the oil in the furnace tank, storing summer clothing while exhuming winter garb and vice versa, catching and evicting mice and squirrels, and so on. Folks in the Pioneer Valley have to be tough.

New England winters are not as cold as some parts of the U.S., like Wisconsin or Minnesota, but they’re far less predictable. I can remember sixty degree weather on Christmas Eve in some years, temperatures below zero in others. Ice storms are a real menace; one year an ice-laded bough snapped off one of our trees and thoroughly crushed the roof of my car. Then there was the morning I skidded on a snowy road on my way to work and rammed into a tree,   crumpling the front end like tin foil. Scary indeed.

No, New England was not for the faint of heart. After the easy life here in Asia, I can’t imagine ever going back.

Nevertheless, I have incredibly vivid memories of New England’s unique charms and I do find myself becoming nostalgic. One of the joys of being a writer that I can channel this nostalgia into my stories.

Once Upon a Blizzard draws heavily from my own experience. The farm house occupied by Gino and Harris is based on the home of our close neighbor (although they didn’t have a hot tub in their back yard). The crispness of the winter air, the clarity of the winter sky, the distant clank of the snow plows when they finally arrive – I’ve been there.

The strangely freeing experience of being snowed in, without electricity, heat or running water is something I remember well. It’s almost like a holiday. Time is suspended. You’re forced to let go. You’ll get dug out, eventually. You’re not that worried, because of course you’re prepared with wood for the fireplace, propane for the stove, candles and flash lights. That’s just how New Englanders are.

My heroine in Once Upon a Blizzard grew up in the Pioneer Valley, but she has been working in Silicon Valley for a decade. In writing this story I was rediscovering, with her, the special magic of New England.

BLURB

No electricity. No water. Plenty of heat.

Suzanne and Gino have a history going back to high school, but for more than a decade the workaholic CEO has been thousands of miles from her New England home town.

A mistletoe kiss at a Christmas party rekindles the old spark and Suzanne finds some things do indeed get better with age. When Gino rescues her from a blizzard, though, she discovers that she’s not the only love in his life. Gino shares his bed and his colonial-era farm house with taciturn painter Harris Steele.

Snowed in with two lusty men who truly seem to care, she wonders why she’s so determined to return to her lonely West Coast life. Is there really a chance for a holiday happy ending?

X-RATED EXCERPT (MMF)

Harris urged Gino onto his hands and knees, crosswise on the king-sized bed. Kneeling behind, he pulled the globes of Gino’s butt apart and wiggled his fingers back into the hole between them. “Still loose and juicy,” he commented.

“Oh, yeah,” breathed Gino. “Take me, lover.”

Harris stroked his cock a few times then placed the knob against stretched ring of muscle and pushed. He held Gino open so that Suzanne could see the rigid length of flesh disappearing inch by inch into Gino’s back passage.

“Oh, God!” Gino gasped as Harris filled him.

“Oh God!” echoed Suzanne, as her pussy clenched and her rear hole twitched with sympathetic pleasure.

Harris grasped Gino’s hips and pumped his cock in and out. Gino relaxed and let Harris take him over. Gino’s swollen cock jutted underneath him, bouncing against his belly each time Harris thrust into his ass. Suzanne ached to feel that bulk inside her. But she was the guest here—this was Harris’ turf and she had to let him call the shots.

She slipped two fingers into her wet sex, hoping that the men wouldn’t mind, and frigged herself in time with Harris’ strokes. As Harris picked up speed, she did also, skirting close to the edge of climax. Then she backed off. She wanted to come with Gino inside her. She only hoped she’d get the chance soon.

Harris paused as if he had read her mind. He shifted position, kneeling back onto his heels and dragging Gino, still impaled, onto his lap. Gino’s thighs splayed out on either side of his lover’s. His erection pointed straight at the ceiling.

“Climb on,” Harris instructed. “We’ll see if he can handle both of us.”

Suzanne didn’t need a second invitation. She clambered over to their joined bodies, squatted above Gino’s tempting bulk and settled down, swallowing him with her pussy.

Gino gasped as her heat enfolded him. He grabbed her shoulders, pulling her into a frantic kiss. Meanwhile, Harris flexed his thighs and drove his cock up into Gino’s ass. The force sent Gino’s rod deeper into Suzanne’s body. Suzanne rocked in Gino’s lap, her hands on his shoulders, her feet braced against Harris’ thighs. The blond man didn’t seem to mind. He just picked up the pace, ramming hard and fast into Gino’s body and sending Gino’s cock careening into her body in reaction.

Gino looked dazed. His lips were parted, hoarse breath forced out with each thrust. His hair was plastered on his sweaty forehead. Harris clasped him around the waist with strong, wiry arms. Every so often Suzanne felt the artist’s long fingers circle the base of Gino’s cock and give it a squeeze, brushing her cunt lips in the process and sending high voltage sizzling up her spine.

BUY LINKS

Amazon  US –  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPMPZ7NG

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BPMPZ7NG

Smashwords –  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1263368

Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/once-upon-a-blizzard-lisabet-sarai/1142821106

Kobo –  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/once-upon-a-blizzard

Apple Books – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6445045725

Add on Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65004121-once-upon-a-blizzard

ABOUT LISABET SARAI

I became addicted to words at an early age. I began reading when I was four. I wrote my first story at five years old and my first poem at seven. Since then, I have written plays, tutorials, scholarly articles, marketing brochures, software specifications, self-help books, press releases, a five-hundred page dissertation, and lots of erotica and erotic romance – more than fifty single author titles, plus dozens of short stories in various erotic anthologies, including the Lambda winner Where the Girls Are and the IPPIE Best Erotic Book of 2011, Carnal Machines. My gay scifi erotic romance Quarantine won a Rainbow Awards 2012 Honorable Mention.

I have more degrees than anyone would ever need, from prestigious educational institutions who would no doubt be deeply embarrassed by my chosen genre. Travel is one of my passions. I’ve visited every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Currently I live in Southeast Asia with my indulgent husband of more than thirty years and two exceptional felines, where I pursue an alternative career that is completely unrelated to my creative writing.

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Erotic Romance

Happily Ever Afters for Bi Women #LGBTQ #EroticRomance #HolidayStory

On the 15th of every month, I’m featured at Sweet ‘n Sexy Divas to highlight LGBTQ Books.

Today I’m talking about what bi women seek for their Happily Ever Afters – Meg’s good friend and sometimes lover, Lisa, is facing a major dilemma. Sometimes what you wish for and what you fear are one and the same…

Head on over to find out more!

https://sweetnsexydivas.blogspot.com/2022/12/happily-ever-after-for-bi-heroine-lgbtq.html?zx=a1596549d70d02b

 

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One Lonely Christmas Eve, by Tim Smith #HolidayRomance #EroticRomance

My blog guest today is fellow Extasy author Tim Smith, here with a holiday romance you won’t want to miss:

I’m pleased to share my most recent holiday Stocking Stuffer romance from Extasy Books, One Lonely Christmas Eve. This is a bittersweet love story about two friends who try to come up with a cure for the holiday blues.

This story was inspired by some real experiences. I’ve always looked forward to the holidays, but when I came up with this idea, I found myself in a dark place. I was between relationships, and quarantine overshadowed a family Christmas gathering, I was still making the adjustment to early retirement, and I dreaded the idea of spending the holiday alone. Thanks to a good friend I didn’t have to, but that was the jumping off point. I also used this to relive some past holidays, because I was feeling nostalgic. This opening scene is based on an actual occurrence that happened to me a few years ago

BLURB

Christmas can be a lonesome time of year, especially when you have no one special to share it with. Alex March stops at his favorite diner on Christmas Eve to avoid going home to an empty apartment, but that isn’t the only reason. He really wants to see Denise Del Florio, the attractive widow of one of his best friends, who is dreading her first solo holiday. In the year since her husband was killed, Alex has been there for her, and they’ve developed a close friendship. He feels a nostalgic longing for holidays gone by and thinks that together, he and Denise can provide a remedy for their mutual loneliness. Will they still be besties when the holiday is over, or will they have moved on to something more serious?

EXCERPT

Alex sipped his coffee, then glanced at the clock mounted on the wall behind the cash register in the nearly empty restaurant. He stared at his reflection in the front window and absently raked his fingers through his thick brown hair. 6:45, and it’s pitch-black outside. Not that much traffic, either, especially in here. Guess most people have had their pre-holiday dinner and gone to church, or decided to pack it in for the evening to wait for Santa by the fireplace. I should do the same, but I don’t really want to go home to an empty apartment.  

Denise Del Florio approached inside the counter, with a glass coffee pot in hand. “Refill, Alex?”

Alex’s gaze traveled from her head to her feet then back up again, taking in her trim form encased in snug black slacks and a white shirt with a name tag. Her light brown hair with blonde highlights was pulled into a ponytail and a few wisps carelessly hung over her face. Her hazel eyes seemed to take on an extra bit of sparkle when she looked at him. “Thanks, but I’ve had enough for one night.”

She exhaled a deep breath. “Good decision. We’re getting ready to close, and this stuff would take the paint off your car.” She stretched. “I’m definitely ready to get off my feet after today.”

“I’m surprised you aren’t busier.”

Denise poured herself some coffee, then took a sip. “You should’ve been here earlier. It was non-stop from lunchtime on. People stopped in for their holiday pie orders and decided to eat while they were here.”

“Sounds hectic.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t really mind. It kept me busy, and I made a fortune in tips.”

Alex laughed. “I figured that’s why you volunteered to work the holiday shift.”

Denise gave a shy smile and cast her gaze downward briefly. “I keep forgetting what a good detective you are.”

He finished his coffee. “It wasn’t hard to figure out, Denise. I suspected you didn’t mind working tonight for the same reason I’m not going home yet.”

She looked into his eyes for a moment. “I’m not ready to face an empty house, especially this holiday.”

“The first one alone is always the hardest.”

She was silent for a few moments. “How long did it take for you to…”

“Still working on it,” he finished. “I’ve been divorced for eight years, and there are some holidays I don’t look forward to. But I know it’s different in your case.”

She drank some coffee. “Yeah, you could say that. Divorce is one thing to adjust to, but losing your life partner in the line of duty is something else.” She paused. “Is that why you’re here tonight?”

“Where else would I be?”

“I heard you’ve been seeing someone. Thought you’d be with them.”

“So happens the young lady is spending the holidays in Louisville with her family. Why do you think I only came here to check up on you?”

“Because I know you, Alex. You and Tony were close friends before you had to leave the police department. Even after you went private, you kept in touch and you were there for me when he got killed earlier this year.”

He cast his gaze down. “Guilty as charged. Maybe I was worried about you.”

Denise placed her hand on his and squeezed. “I appreciate that, more than you know. You gave me a shoulder to lean on when I needed it, and you’ve been there ever since. That means a lot.”

Alex felt embarrassed. “Come on, Denise. I was just doing the right thing. Tony and I were patrol partners before I became a detective, and we were fishing and drinking buddies. I always thought of him as one of my best friends.”

“He was.” She flashed a playful smile. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. I’m alone, you’re alone, and neither of us is in a hurry to get home tonight. Think we can find someplace where two good friends can have a drink?”

Alex brought her hand to his lips, then kissed it. “I think there must be someplace out there that caters to people with nowhere to go on a lonely night like this.”

BUY LINKS

Half off at Extasy Books: https://www.extasybooks.com/one-lonely-christmas-eve

Other retail sellers

Amazon https://www.extasybooks.com/one-lonely-christmas-eve

Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-lonely-christmas-eve-tim-smith/1138520224

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/one-lonely-christmas-eve 

BIOGRAPHY

I’m an award-winning, bestselling author of mystery/thrillers and contemporary erotic romance. I’m also a freelance writer/photographer and blogger. When I’m not writing I can often be found in The Florida Keys, indulging my passion for parasailing while seeking out the perfect Mojito.

LINKS

Website   Facebook   Goodreads   Amazon   Linkedin

 

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Erotic Romance

“I wouldn’t want to be a third wheel…” #MFRWHooks #HolidayStory #EroticRomance #LGBTQIA+

Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more. Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!

All my prior published holiday stories are half off at Extasy Books, now through December 31. Today I’m featuring The Gift Echange, an erotic romance menage holiday story.

BLURB

It’s Christmas Eve—what gifts will Mack, Carol and Tara unwrap together?

What is Carol up to now? Mack has always known his free-spirited wife is bisexual, but it seems she has new adventures on her mind this Christmas season.

Carol has long entertained fantasies of a threesome with herself, her husband, and their attractive nearby neighbor, Tara. Now that Tara’s troublesome ex is out of the picture, is this the season to make Carol’s fantasies come true?

Tara’s felt a little deprived since breaking things off with her ex, and she’ll admit she envies what Mack and her best friend Carol seem to share. If they invite her to join them, will she dare?

EXCERPT

“Cocoa and marshmallows are heavenly after snowshoeing,” Carol said, wrapping her fingers around the hot mug Tara had set on the kitchen table for her. She took another sip and watched Tara inhale the steam of her mug deeply. This was the moment. She couldn’t tell which she wanted more—to watch Mack respond as Tara pleasured him, or to give him the gift of watching her and Tara play together. Both, she decided. Would her fantasies come true?

“You are so right,” Tara responded. “It’s been a grand morning. The air was crisp, but not too cold. And the snow was just right. The snowshoes didn’t sink so deep that we had to work hard.” Tara brushed fingers through her long reddish locks. “Sometimes it felt like we were walking right on top of the snow.”

“Yeah, felt like we were on top of the world. So exhilarating. Not many experiences top that.” She gave Tara a knowing smile.

“Right. Don’t get yourself worked up. You know I have to head into town for an appointment. We only have twenty minutes before I have to leave.”

“I know. I know. Sipping cocoa with you will have to tide me over.” Carol grinned broadly. “I wish we had all day to play.”

“Me, too. But when I get back I’m going to really have to buckle down on my writing. I have an editing deadline just before Christmas. I’ll never accept another deadline like that again—there’s hardly time to think about Christmas. It’s not like I’m going anywhere, but I do so much enjoy the season. When there’s time.”

“Speaking of Christmas…not sure how much we’ll see you before, but Mack and I want you to join us for Christmas Eve.”

“Really?” Tara’s eyes misted. “But I know that’s such a special time for you guys. You’ve told me every year how you celebrate Christmas.” She arched an eyebrow. “Capping it off in bed, if I recall correctly.”

“The Night before Christmas story takes place in bed, right?”

Tara broke up laughing. “Yes, but I believe your night before Christmas is a bit more erotic. I don’t think there’s room for me.”

“Nonsense. We don’t want you to be alone. We’ll have our own little party. We can finish decorating the tree, exchange some gifts, and share a toast or two with eggnog…maybe even play some reindeer games.”

“That sounds like fun. But I wouldn’t want to be a third wheel.”

“You won’t be.”

BUY LINKS

BUY AT EXTASY BOOKS FOR 80 CENTS  https://www.extasybooks.com/the-gift-exchange

BUY AT OTHER RETAIL OUTLETS  https://books2read.com/u/bP7rqJ

Click on the links to travel to the rest of today’s Book Hooks:

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