Thursday, August 30, 2012

Giveaway #6 - Janelle Denison


I would love to welcome Janelle Denison to the blog today. I have an excerpt from her newest release HARD TO RESIST and a contest!



Renee Griffen always did have a thing for Jake Copeland, especially since they’d been each other’s “firsts” in high school. But now, ten years later, he’s offering her a sexy “do-over” of that less-than-satisfying night, and Renee finds his offer hard to refuse. Jake might have blundered their first time together, but he’s all about second chances, and this time he’s playing for keeps.


Excerpt
(rated 18+)


“Was it as good for you as it was for me?”

Jake Copeland’s husky, sex-infused voice washed over Renee Griffen, making her shiver all over again. “Oh, yeah, it was spectacular.”

Her face warmed at the realization that she’d just had Skype sex with the same guy she’d willing gone all the way with at the end of her senior year in high school, based on a mutual pact that neither one of them wanted to head out into the real world as inexperienced virgins.

Ten years later, and the boy had become a devastatingly gorgeous man who knew exactly what to say and do to make a woman unravel and come apart — without even physically touching her. A part of her couldn’t believe that she’d let his seduction go so far, but then again, things had been heading in this direction ever since they’d reconnected on Facebook a little over a month ago. They’d gone from getting reacquainted via emails, to flirtatious phone calls, then more intimate Skype sessions. But for as much as they’d shared, she wasn’t sure how to define this long distance relationship of theirs. It was something they’d never talked about, and she honestly had no idea how Jake felt about them. And it didn’t help matters that she lived inChicago, and he resided inAtlanta working for a marketing firm, which made it even more difficult to purse a deeper and more lasting connection.

Smiling shyly at her laptop’s web cam, she readjusted the thin straps of the lacey camisole top she’d worn so that her breasts were covered once again. “The only thing that would have made it better was you being here in person.”

“Yeah, we need to arrange that,” he agreed, his blue eyes still holding remnants of lust and heat from their steamy encounter.

He braced his forearms on his desk and leaned closer to his own camera. He’d taken off his shirt just before things had gotten down and dirty, displaying a nicely muscled chest that she wished she could reach out and stroke and caress right through her monitor. As fun and sexy as this live video chat had been, and for as much as she enjoyed reconnecting with Jake, the entire situation left her wanting so much more.

She bit her bottom lip and threw out a suggestion. One that would hopefully help them to figure out where allthis was heading. “There’s always our ten year high school reunion next month.”

He dragged his fingers through his dark hair, making the thick strands stick up in places, but that disheveled look in no way detracted from just how handsome he’d become. “You know, I’ve been thinking about that, too.”

Her heart leapt with hope. “And?”

A slow, sinful smile curved the corners of his sensual lips. “What do you think about meeting up at the reunion for a do-over?”

Unsure of what he meant, she tipped her head to the side and expressed her confusion. “A do-over?”

“Yeah. A do-over of our first time together after Grad Night.” He playfully waggled his brows at her. “You have to admit that having sex for the first time in the backseat of my cramped Honda Civic was awkward and less than satisfying. For you, anyways,” he said, acknowledging that at least he’d achieved gratification.

She laughed, easily recalling that eight second ride that had left her wondering what the fuss about sex was all about. “Yeah, it was over pretty quickly.”

He groaned, his expression pained. “I swear I’ve got way more staying power now.”

Oh, she believed him. They’d just spent half an hour sexually teasing one another over Skype and drawing out their releases, so she knew the man could definitely go the distance. And oh, Lord, the things he’d told her that he wanted to do to her — how he wanted to suck on her nipples and go down on her before fucking her hard and fast — made her hot all over again. It had been that last declaration that had sent her over the edge, and him, too. Their orgasms had been simultaneous, and watching his expression as he climaxed had increased her own pleasure.

If he was that impressive on a video chat, she could only imagine how good he was in person. The thought made her shiver.

“Give me the opportunity to make up for that disastrous night,” he said, pleading his case. “We didn’t even get the chance to be together again after that.” The tone of his voice expressed his genuine disappointment.

So true, and something she truly regretted, too. Having sex with Jake had been decided on a whim, and a few days after grad night she’d left for Europe on a month long tour her parents had given to her as a graduation gift, and he’d gone off to college. They hadn’t kept in touch, though Renee never forgot Jake Copeland and what could have been had they had more time to spend together that summer. Especially when she’d flipped through her yearbook to the “Most Likely” page and had seen what he’d written there a few days after they’d had sex.

She might have been voted The Girl Most Likely to Travel the World by her classmates, but Jake had made a change to that superlative to read: The Girl Most Likely to Travel the World Give A Guy a Second Chance. At the time, she’d laughed at his sense of humor. But now, ten years later, Jake was asking for that second chance, and even though her emotions were more involved than she’d ever anticipated, she found it hard to refuse something she wanted so badly.

He was waiting for her answer, the sensual promise in his deep blue gaze coaxing her to agree. God, she was so easy when it came to this man, which said way too much about the depth of feelings she’d developed for him. Somewhere along the way, during all their late night phone calls, chats, and conversations, she’d fallen hard. Not knowing where she stood with him left her feeling vulnerable, and set her up for potential heart ache. But she hoped, based on what she’d heard in his voice and seen in his eyes, there was something more there for him, too.

It was a risk she was willing to take. “Okay, let’s do it.”


Buy the book at Amazon  Barnes and Noble  or Smashwords

For a chance to win one of two kindle copies up for grabs today, lets talk birthday parties. What do you usually do for your birthday? Leave a comment and fill out the form below. All contest will stay open until noon tomorrow (8/31/12) Winners will be chosen and notified shortly after that. 






30 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm going to have to buy this book for a friend of mine...Renee Griffin. I'd bet she'd love it!

Liz said...

Wow, now I need cool shower!

Melanie said...

This sounds amazing! I would love to read it!!

Lanae T. said...

For my birthday....nothing special for the last few years. I normally make dinner and some sort of dessert, if I'm in the mood for that. The kids always hand-make me something. The husband, if he remembers, will do a card. lol

The book sounds great. Can think of a second chance or two that may be nice.

Unknown said...

Forgot to mention my birthday. My family gets together for all our birthdays (luckily we are a small family) and the birthday person picks the food they want cooked or the restaurant they want to eat at that night. We've done this as long as I can remember.

Sherie said...

Cannot wait to read this book!

For my birthday, I like a quiet day at the beach with a good book and a frozen beverage! I am a summer birthday so I love laying out!

Unknown said...

Great excerpt. Thanks.
I usually volunteer at the local cat shelter on holidays (including my birthday).

Unknown said...

I loved the excerpt. For my birthday I try to do something just for me - like read a great book!

Silver James said...

*waves to Janelle* Hey, you! Lovely to see you over at Alannah's place today. Love the premise for this one and yes, its on the wish list waiting for the reload on my September book budget. ;)

Cathy V said...

My birthday is near Christmas, so we are usually too busy with festivities or too tired to "celebrate" my birthday. I try to do something small for me on that day, like splurging on a mocha and buying myself a book :)

Unknown said...

Since my birthday is valentine's day, i usually spend it helping with V-day parties at my girls' school. My husband will cook one of his dishes (spagetti, taco salad or hamburger helper) and we'll spend time together after the girls are in bed

June M. said...

At my age now, I try to forget my birthday. But generally, I just spend some time with family. One birthday a couple of years ago that I loved was just spent with my brother & sister, and my 5 nieces and nephews. We had pizza & cupcakes, watched movies, my brother & oldest nephew played video games, etc. It was loud & silly but oh so much fun :)

Unknown said...

I just wanted to drop by and say Hi to everyone and let you know I'll be back first thing in the morning to comment on each individual comment. It's 11:30 my time, and I just can't keep going anymore tonight. :-D

Thank you for helping me celebrate my birthday!!

Moran V said...

I like going to a restaurant, either with friends or with my family.
This year it was a all week of birthday celebrations to I want to like 4 different restaurants LOL

Unknown said...

Have to stay honest here! I wish I could expound on all sorts of sexy, sinful going-ons ...*sigh* reality just doesn't work that way for me. As of 5 years ago, when my husband and I adopted a sibling set of 4; yes 4 children under the age of 5, my b-days have consisted of:Stay at home dinner, homemade cake made by kid's and daddy, silly handmade cards from the kids, wonderful flowers and card from the hubby....and now that I've refreshed those memories, I'm reminded again just how lucky I am for my husband and my children :-) ...

Amanda McFarland said...

I like to spend time with my family on my birthday and celebrate with the ones I love. I'm not much for going out and getting trashed or anything. Give me family, conversation, food, and cake, and I'm happy :)

Unknown said...

David - back when we used to hang out with the Soapbox Queens, the Plotmonkey's blog was my other favorite hangout. All 4 of them are exceptionally talented writers, who write great sexy books. Janelle's are always hot with a ton of emotion packed into them. Knowing how much you like the Queens, I really think you'd like Janelle's books.

Unknown said...

Liz - Janelle's heroes always leave me needing a cold shower! :-D



Melanie - Janelle is the reason I love romance and why I wanted to be a writer. If you've never read any of her books, do yourself a favor and pick one up. They are awesome!

Unknown said...

Lanae - why is it that, even though it's our birthday, we still have to fix the meal?

Thanks for dropping by and commenting!!

Unknown said...

David - I think that's a great way to do it. My MIL really wanted to get together last night for my dinner (which was sweet, but...LOL). She said, "How about we go to XX. The problem is, they have a limited menu and I'm not sure they have anything you'll like."

0_o

After a little conversation, I suggested another place, that does have something I like, so that's where we went. :-D

Unknown said...

Sherie - Now that sounds like the perfect day!! I hope you get to do it often!

Thanks for dropping by and commenting!

Unknown said...

Becki - that's so sweet!! A good friend of mine lost her son several years ago. He was a pet lover and was always dragging home strays. Every year on his birthday, she volunteers at the shelter. She says she feels closer to him there than anyplace else.

Unknown said...

Lynne - You and Sherie should get together! LOL My day was so busy yesterday that I didn't have time for much of anything. But I plan to spend this afternoon and tomorrow doing just this...me, a couch, and a great book! :-)

Thanks for dropping by and commenting!

Unknown said...

Hey Silver!! Isn't this reunion fantastic!! I hardly ever have time to go to Plotmonkeys anymore...so I'm bringing them to me! :-D

Unknown said...

Cathy - my uncle's birthday was Christmas Eve. We used to go to his house and eat dinner, then after church, we'd go back to his house and play cards - he LOVED to play cards. We always made sure the day was about him, and emphasized his birthday, rather than combining the two celebrations. Those are some of my very favorite childhood memories.

Thanks for dropping by and spending some time with us!

Unknown said...

Tara - That sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day! Especially the part about your husband fixing dinner. I don't know of many guys who would do that, so yay you!!

Unknown said...

June - that sounds like a great day... a great chance for everyone to revisit their childhood!!

Thanks for sharing the story with us!

Unknown said...

Moran - my birthday this year is going to be similar to yours! LOL Family dinner with inlaws last night. My boys were either working or in class, so we're celebrating with them tonight. Friends tomorrow night. Shewww...I'm gonna need a vacation from all the partying! :-D

Thanks for visiting with me!!

Unknown said...

Donamuree - Wow! You and your husband are amazing!! I don't know anyone who would be willing to take on a responsibility like that!

It's funny that you added the last sentence, because as I was reading through your comment I was thinking, it sounds crazy and chaotic and all fused together with a ton of love. :-) Congrats on your wonderful family!

Thanks for dropping by and commenting!

Unknown said...

Amanda - I remember your birthday this year, and you seemed so happy to be spending it exactly that way. And you looked beautiful!!

Thanks for commenting. I hope you're getting some sleep now. :-)