Sweet N Sexy Soulful Quotes

Hello everyone and welcome to another addition of Soulful Quotes. Today, I have several great books I think you will like for this month's feature. And since it's nearing Halloween, I've chosen books that have a paranormal theme to them.

So, grab a seat, pick up a pen and paper so you can add these to your TBR list, and enjoy! Remember, these are all lines from authors unafraid of getting a little soulful, sappy, or even suggestive in their books.

Please feel free to let me know which ones interest you. I'm sure the authors would be glad to hear some feedback.
Happy reading!

"I wanted you since the moment I first saw you downstairs."

So, he had been watching her. She buried her fingers in his hair, arching her neck as he pressed his lips to the hollow behind her ear. "You have a thing for Greek goddesses then, huh?"

He chuckled and lifted his head to gaze down at her. "Only when they’re as beautiful as you are."

~ Paige Tyler, Unmasked

Hunter raised his head, and Fisher could see the light of mischief in his eyes. "You want to know if being a vampire keeps me from getting it up?"

"That's a crude version of my question, but yes." Hunter had a way of seeing through everything he said or did, he always had.

Hunter took Fisher's hand, and guided it to his bulging crotch. "Does that answer your question?"

"Pretty much, yeah," Fisher tried to sound casual, although his voice managed to jump a complete octave, in spite of his best efforts to contain it. The feel of Hunter's hardness, the immediacy of having it beneath his palm, was having a definite effect on him.

"Don't worry, darling," Hunter whispered in a husky contralto that was meant to be amusing but was only serving to raise Fisher's blood pressure, "I won't get you pregnant."~ Julie Lynn Hayes, Leonardo DiCaprio Is A Vampire

"Do you want me?" Eamon asked in a brogue so sweet she wished she could taste it. "It's forever, acushla, if you'll have me."

~ Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy, Would Without End, Amen

"I wish we had more than this one night. I know we can talk and be friends and all, but I don't know how I'll manage to wait a whole year until we can make love properly again." Spyridion's eyes were dark and glittering with suppressed tears.

~ Berengaria Brown, Ghostly Indulgence

Past Soulful Quotes segments for those who'd like to increase their TBR list...

* Sweet N Sexy Divas

* Nice N Naughty Authors

Places to find Renee Vincent:

Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Deep In The Heart Romance

Don't Go In There!

I love October and Halloween in particular. There is something awesome about the change in the weather, the way everyone has finally settled back down into the school routine (even if you're no longer in school) and the approach of one of my personal favourite holidays.

I've loved horror almost as long as I've loved romance. There is something fun about getting my blood pumping from a good fright. Movies, stories and visiting haunted locations are always things I enjoy.

There are a lot of scary places you can visit around the world. I had a chance to do a Jack the Ripper walking tour when I was in London one year. It was a cold November night and we walked the trail that Jack would have taken. It was one of the creepiest experience of my life.

I don't have to go far to get a good fright either. There are a number of creepy places in Canada that I can pop in for a visit. Here is a list of some of the spookiest places you can visit in Toronto.
Want to get the spooky with some world travel? Why not check out the top spooky spots in the world?

Personally, that giant corn maze my kids are going to make me do in the next week or so is what's going to freak me out the most. I mean...have you not seen the horror movies out there? Nothing good happens in a corn field!!


About Christine d'Abo

Christine has been writing and publishing romance for over four years now. She is published with Ellora's Cave, Carina Press, Cleis Press, Samhain Publishing, and Berkley. Her most recent release, A Shot In the Dark, will be available from Carina Press November 7th.


Blurb - A Shot in the Dark, Long Shots book 2

Carter is one of the hottest men ever to walk into Paige Long's coffee shop. The attraction is mutual, and when Carter reveals himself to be a Dom, the submissive in Paige is aroused. Yet she brushes him off—her last relationship was abusive and she's unwilling to get involved with another Dom.

But when Carter returns the next day—in his firefighter uniform—Paige's fantasies really heat up. She can't resist his offer to get to know him over a drink at Mavericks, a local sex club. Their conversation quickly escalates to a session in one of the private rooms, and Paige is both thoroughly satisfied by Carter's skills in domination, and impressed with his selflessness as a lover.

Paige is ready to move on with her life. But can she trust in herself and submit to happiness?

What is the scariest movie you've seen?

When October rolls around, we think about the crisp air, harvesting our gardens, Thanksgiving and of course Halloween and scary movies. I'm not one to watch horror movies, the movies that scare me the most are more subtle in their frightening message. True stories of murder, violence and ways real life villains have destroyed people's lives are scary for me.

There are however a few fictionalized movies that have stayed with me and have given me goosebumps and scared me in that bone chilling way.

Wait Until Dark
I’m an avid Audrey Hepburn fan, so I have seen all of her movies. Her movies have made me laugh, cry, daydream and sigh with contentment. There are no monsters, zombies or evil vampires in this movie, but Wait Until Dark had me literally jumping out of my seat in fear. The movie slowly builds tension, increases it throughout the movie and holds on to it until the very end. The brilliant performances make you care about the characters and connect with them all (both the good guys and bad guys). It’s Audrey Hepburn who is the shining star of this movie, with her realistic portrayal of a blind woman who needs to rely on her senses and brains to keep herself alive. Wait Until Dark is a thriller masterpiece, and I recommend it to anyone who appreciates an intelligent plot and wants to be scared at the same time.

Time Enough At Last (Twilight Zone Episode)
This isn’t a movie, but it is one of the scariest shows I remember watching. For those who haven’t seen this episode, warning: I’ll be posting a spoiler. What scared me the most about this movie was the ending. Again, there were no characters that go bump in the night, it’s a story about a bookworm who wanted one thing—to be left alone to read as much as he wanted . He was unhappy at his job, had a nagging wife so he kept wishing they would all go away so he could just read the books he loved. He took a lunch break in the bank’s vault one day, and a nuclear war destroyed the world, fortunately he was saved. He leaves the vault and goes to the public library and finds all the books are intact and readable. Finally, he can read all he wants without being interrupted. He accidentally breaks his thick glasses, he’s virtually blind without them. He can’t put his glasses together because he can’t see a thing. He got what he wished for, he was left alone. Burgess Meredith’s performance and the intensity of his passion for books along with the ending, was a frigtening to watch.

Jaws
Great white hungry shark. Beach resort. I love the beach, I love to swim. The sound effects still reverberate in my head, any time I go to the ocean, and those warning flags, brings the whole movie back to life for me.

Carrie
I actually found this movie more sad than scary—up until the end. I felt so bad for Carrie, the way she was mocked, teased and bullied, even by her own mother. The story itself didn’t scare me, as I thought the gory scenes were a bit over the top. However, the last scene with her hand coming up from the grave—yeah, that made me jump out of my seat.

What are some of your scariest movies?

About Selena Robins:

Author of Genre-defying, Witty, Sexy Romances, Selena is a dragon slayer, and a chocolate guru. In love with her husband, family, friends, reading, writing & red wine, Selena dances with her dog, sings into her hairbrush & writes in her PJ's. Her recent release, WHAT A GIRL WANTS is a contemporary romance filled with humor, mystery and sensuality.

Selena's Website
Selena's Blog

SWEET DANGER IS HERE!

Sweet Danger is my first contemporary romantic suspense novel. Up until this point, I have stuck with writing western historicals, though my third book, Time Plains Drifter, which is due to be released next month, is also a bit of a departure from that, venturing into the paranormal/time travel aspect, as well as historical.

Sweet Danger is the story of Jesse Nightwalker, an undercover cop, and Lindy Oliver, his beautiful next-door neighbor. They’ve been very much aware of one another for the past year or so, but have never formally met, until one fateful Friday morning when they both come into the local deli and end up next to each other in line.

But things turn deadly as a gang of criminals takes over the deli in what seems to be a robbery. Unfortunately for Jesse, the leader of the pack is Tabor Hardin, a vicious cop killer that Jesse helped put behind bars. Hardin’s purpose changes instantly. The robbery was only a façade for a much more heinous crime—kidnapping the governor’s children from the adjoining daycare. Now, Hardin swears to make Jesse pay for his part in Hardin’s imprisonment before anything else takes place.

As if things couldn’t get worse, one of the other children in the daycare is Jesse’s own son, Nash. Jesse has to walk a fine line to figure out what he can do to save his son and Lindy, as well as the other hostages—even though it means certain death for himself.

When his wife died four years earlier, Jesse cut off all romantic feelings, immersing himself in his undercover work. Now, Lindy Oliver has reawakened those feelings at a most inopportune time, and Jesse is incredulous at what’s happening between them, now that he stands to lose it all at Hardin’s bloody hands.

I loved the premise of this book, and especially loved figuring out how to make it all “come around” so that Jesse and Lindy could have the HEA they so richly deserved.

Sweet Danger became available through the Wild Rose Press on October 1, 2010. It’s also available through Barnes and Noble and Amazon, among other distributors. I’ve posted the blurb and an excerpt below for your reading pleasure! Please leave a comment. Visit my website at http://www.cherylpierson.com E-mail me at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com

BLURB:

When undercover cop Jesse Nightwalker enters Silverman’s Deli, he doesn't expect to find himself at the mercy of Tabor Hardin, a sadistic murderer he helped put in prison five years earlier. Now, Hardin’s escaped, and he’s out for more blood—Jesse’s.

Lindy Oliver has had her eye on her handsome neighbor for several months. Fate provides the opportunity for them to finally meet when they both choose the same deli for breakfast. Becoming a hostage was not in Lindy’s plans when she sat down to share a pastry with Jesse, but neither was the hot kiss he gave her when bullets began to fly. That kiss seals both their fates, binding them to one another with the certainty of a vow.

But Jesse’s got some hard-hitting secrets. With both their lives at stake, Lindy has a plan that just might save them—if Hardin takes the bait. Will they find unending love in the midst of Sweet Danger?





EXCERPT FROM SWEET DANGER:

This excerpt takes place in the first chapter. Jesse Nightwalker, an undercover cop, runs into his neighbor, Lindy Oliver, in the local deli. Though they've never met, they are very aware of one another. The deli owner introduces them officially and points them toward the only available booth. But their Friday morning takes a quick nosedive in the next few minutes. Here's what happens.

Jesse looked past her, his smile fading rapidly. As the flash of worry entered his expression, Lindy became aware of a sudden lull in the noisy racket of the deli. Jesse’s dark gaze was locked on the front door, a scowl twisting his features.
“Damn it,” he swore, reaching for her hand. “Get down! Under the table, Lindy…”
But she hesitated a second too long, not understanding what was happening. In the next instant, the sound of semi-automatic gunfire and shattering glass filled the air.

Lindy reflexively ducked, covering her head. The breath of a bullet fanned her cheek as Jesse dragged her down beneath the sparse cover of the small table. He shielded her, his hard body crushing against her, on top of her, pushing her to the floor. The breath rushed out of her, and she felt the hard bulge of the shoulder holster he wore beneath the denim jacket as it pressed against her back.

Her heart pounded wildly, realization of their situation flooding through her. A robbery! But why, at this hour of the morning when the take would be so low? The gunfire stopped as abruptly as it had started. From somewhere near the counter, a man shouted, “Come out and you won’t be hurt! Come out—now!”

Lindy looked up into Jesse’s face, scant inches from her own. What would he do? They were somewhat concealed here at the back of the deli, but these men were sporting semi-automatic weapons.

“There’s a back door,” Jesse whispered raggedly. “Get the hell out of here. I’m gonna be your diversion.” She didn’t answer; couldn’t answer. He was likely to be killed, helping her go free. He gave her a slight shake. “Okay?”

An interminable moment passed between them before she finally nodded. “Get going as soon as I get their attention.” He reached to brush a strand of hair out of her eyes, his own gaze softening as he leaned toward her and closed the gap between them. “Take care of yourself, Lindy,” he whispered, just before his mouth closed over hers.

The instant their lips met shook her solidly. Every coherent thought fled, leaving nothing but the smoldering touch of his lips on hers, burning like wildfire through her mind. Soft, yet firm. Insistent and insolent. His teeth skimmed her lower lip, followed by his tongue, as he tasted her. Then, he pulled away from her, their eyes connecting for a heart-wrenching second.

“Safe passage,” he whispered.

Lindy didn’t answer, more stunned by the sudden sweet kiss than by the madness surrounding them. Jesse pushed himself out from under the table and stood up, directly in front of where Lindy crouched. Only then did she hear his muted groan of pain, his sharp, hissing intake of breath. The blossoming red stain of crimson contrasted starkly with the pale blue of his faded denim jacket as his blood sprang from the bullet wound, soaking the material.

He’d been shot!

Lindy gasped softly at the realization. How could she leave him now?

You can order SWEET DANGER here: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002JV8GUE

Writing Balance

Balance seems to be harder and harder to achieve the more I persevere in this writing life. I spend most of my day at the computer, reading my email, commenting on blogs, and chatting with people at various on-line groups. I now have fan pages on Facebook and Twitter. I join discussions on Amazon and Goodreads. I read tips on marketing and articles on promotion. I attend meetings, blog twice a month, read and critique pages from other writers. Before I know it, it’s time to start supper. The day is over and I haven’t written a word.

My goal this fall is to write more (when I’m not working—darn that day job), to dedicate a minimum of two hours each day to actually putting words on the page rather than thinking about them as I walk the dog. I started my new novel a little over a year ago and it’s still not finished. Granted research also demands a good chunk of time, and once again there is that balance issue again.

During my sacred two hours I will not worry about the phone, laundry, dishes or clumps of dog hair gathered in corners. Chapter Nine will be written. Actually it’s already written, it needs to be re-written. Victoria, Ryder and Percy will get their story, sooner rather than later, because they probably won’t leave me alone until they do.

Wanted: More Time to Read!

I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying that all of us who are authors write because somewhere along the line we fell in love with the magic of words. Others may be in love with numbers and math does have its own attraction. But words and the worlds they create are what we live for.

I tell young people that reading is the only way we can escape the loneliness of being trapped in our own minds. When I read another author's words I am, for a short time, thinking his or her thoughts, or being entertained by the characters who once lived only in the author's imagination. As an author I'm often amused by how loudly the characters in my head demand attention, insisting I need to write their stories so they can have existence in minds other than mine. And to be able to experience life as someone did hundreds of years ago is a potent magical experience for me.

Unfortunately, due to having 3 kids in college this year, I'm working multiple jobs. I try to squeeze in some blogging at the end of my long days, but often the need for sleep is too overwhelming. My own writing has had to move to a back burner, so the characters in my head alternately sulk in silence, or yell loudly at me to get my attention--often they resort to showing me in dreams what they want me to write.

But this means that I have little to no time to indulge my love for experiencing the magic of another author's words. That is, until it is time for the yearly book contest run by EPIC--The Electronic Publishing Internet Coalition. I volunteer to judge each year because I feel a need to contribute to an organization that has given me so much: contacts and insight into the world of e-publishing, as well as a feeling of belonging here...almost as if I'm a "real" author!

I usually try to read the books I'm judging in one sitting; telling myself that I need to read for a couple of hours allows me to not feel guilty about the other things I also need to do. Last night I read a book that was so well-written that I was disappointed when it was done because though the story arc was done, I wanted it to go on. Then I looked at the time and realized I'd only get a few hours of sleep, and I reluctantly crawled to bed, only to replay favorite scenes in my mind.

The mark of a truly good book is that I feel enriched for having read it. Typically I also feel insecure, questioning my own abilities as a writer, wondering if any reader will ever feel so moved by any of my books. I can only hope...and keep writing what the voices in my head tell me to write.
* * *
My latest book, Undercover Lovers, is the sequel to Secret Love, the first book about people who work for a shadowy spy agency, who hope they are doing more good than bad as they attempt to influence world events. I was truly excited to get a 5 star review for this book less than a week after it was published! Usually it takes months to even hear back from the review sites.

Blurb:
Ameena has never been able to forget what she endured on her last assignment before she left the agency. She was the only female agent to live through what The Executioner did to his victims, but she still bears the scars, both physical and psychological. When he escapes from his prison cell, her ex-handler brings two agents with him to tell her that one or the other will be her shadow until her torturer is caught again...only this time he will allow her to kill him. Having kept herself too busy for romance, she is caught off-guard by the sudden insertion into her life of two gorgeous men, one who actively pursues her and one whom she finds more attractive for his shyness. Will she live long enough to make a choice? And is that the end of the story...or the beginning?

Learn more at my website: www.fionamcgier.com
Buy link for Undercover Lovers:http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=608

Get Yourself Some Artistic Appeal

The follow up to Legal Artistrty, Artistic Appeal, will be available from Dreamspinner Press on Friday October 21.   This is the story of Brian, the lawyer who takes over the case of The Woman in Blue and Nicolai a deaf art restorer who immediately captures Brian's attention as well as that of Brian's daughter Zoe.  I hope you enjoy the excerpt.

Blurb: 

Brian Watson knows close friends Gerald Young and Dieter Krumpf have an ulterior motive when they invite him to their Christmas party. Brian has taken over the case to secure the return of the famous painting called The Woman in Blue to Dieter, but they don’t want Brian to be all work and no play. They intend to set him up with a friend, but he’s not who catches Brian's eye. Instead, it's Nicolai, the deaf art restorer caring for the works already returned to Dieter.

But pursuing Nicolai won't be easy. A year ago Nicolai had to fight to regain his independence after a bad break-up, and he's reluctant to give up his freedom a second time. Plus, Brian has competition in Justin, Nicolai's ex, who wants him back badly.

Nicolai's reluctance isn't the only roadblock. Brian was married to a woman for almost ten years. Now he has to confess to his mother, his ex-wife, and his young daughter that he loves a man—all while conducting a potentially groundbreaking court case and trying to convince Nicolai that love isn't about co-dependence, it's about support.

Add to your Dreamspinner Press Wish List

Excerpt: 

Over the past year, his main companion outside of work had been Zoe, and Brian hadn’t realized how much he missed adult company and conversation until he was deep in a conversation with Harold about his upcoming deep-sea fishing trip to Florida. God, it had been a long time since he’d simply talked to another adult.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Dieter said, and Brian and Harold paused their conversation. “I’m taking Zoe up to the television room so she can watch her video.”

“Thank you,” Brian said, grateful to his friend. Dieter left, and Brian and Harold continued their conversation. After a while, Harold excused himself and got up. Brian, deciding he wanted another glass of wine, walked through the house to the kitchen. The room was full of people, and Brian poured a glass of wine and was about to leave when he lightly bumped into another man. Pausing to excuse himself, Brian stopped and the tall man turned around. Bright blue eyes stared into Brian’s, and for one of the few times in his life, Brian stared open-mouthed, completely at a loss for words. This man was stunning, rather than beautiful, with piercing eyes that nearly made him flinch and deep black hair that shone in the light against his olive-toned skin. “I’m sorry,” Brian said, for bumping him, and the man smiled slightly, nodding his head before turning away .

People shifted in the kitchen as glasses were filled and new faces moved to the bar for refills. Brian made his way back into the living room and nearly bumped into Gerald, thankfully not spilling any of his wine. “Who’s the man over there with the dark hair?” Brian indicated the man he’d seen in the kitchen.

Gerald smiled at him. “That’s Nicolai Romanov. He’s an art restorer, and he’s been helping Dieter with the paintings. He’s a really sweet man,” Gerald said, lowering his voice, “and very handsome. He’s also available, or so I understand.”

“What about the man with him?” Brian asked, his eyes following Nicolai and the other man around the room. They looked rather cozy to him.

“That’s Peter, and they’re not a couple. He’s a friend and sort of acts as Nicolai’s interpreter because he’s deaf. Besides, Peter’s as straight as an arrow, and if there were a lot of women here, Nicolai wouldn’t be getting as much interpreting time. Peter’s a bit of a ladies’ man. Come on, I’ll introduce you. Nicolai reads lips, so speak clearly and look at him, and you’ll be fine.” Before Brian could stop him, Gerald was leading him into the hallway where Nicolai was looking closely at one of the paintings. Gerald lightly touched him on the shoulder and stepped back.

“Nicolai,” Gerald said once he’d turned around, “this is Brian.” He noticed that Gerald made eye contact and spoke clearly, but not loudly, to Nicolai, who held out his hand.

“Very pleased to meet you,” Nicolai said slowly, his consonants very smooth, and it took some concentration, but Brian was able to understand him. Brian shook his hand and wondered what to say. Thankfully Gerald started things off.

“I work with Brian. He and I try to get art works returned to its proper owners. Brian is handling The Woman in Blue case for Dieter and me,” Gerald explained, and Brian saw Nicolai’s eyes light up.

“That must be exciting,” Nicolai said. “Dieter has told me about his great-grandmother. It is a very exciting story.” Brian saw Nicolai’s fingers and hands moving, presumably out of habit.

“Daddy.” Zoe barreled into him laughing before turning to her Uncle Dieter. “I turned off the player.”

“Zoe,” Brian said, still looking at Nicolai, “this is Mr. Romanov.”

“Hello.” She suddenly seemed shy, and Brian hugged her to his side.

“Nicolai, this is my daughter Zoe.” Brian made sure to face Nicolai so he could read his lips.

“Hello, Zoe,” Nicolai said as he signed, and Brian heard Zoe inhale in surprise as she watched Nicolai’s hands. “Zoe,” Nicolai said rather clearly as he slowly signed her name. Zoe brought up her hands and began to move them, mimicking the movements. Nicolai gently corrected her fingers, and soon Zoe could sign her name. “Nic,” Nicolai said and then performed the signs for his name. Brian found himself watching every movement of Nic’s graceful hands, trying to make the signs himself along with his daughter.

            “Like this,” Nicolai told him, and Brian nearly jumped when the handsome man touched his fingers, lightly caressing his skin as he coached him through the signs. Brian repeated the movements for the three letters, and Nicolai smiled his encouragement. Brian wanted to ask Nicolai to teach him more signs, if only to get the other man to touch his hands again.

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