S. J.
Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a
deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She’s finding
the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time.
When
she’s not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing
with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband’s music. She’s a PMP
(Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict.
As a
writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back
together.
To celebrate her debut, SJ’s hosting a giveaway for a $10 Amazon Gift Card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blurb:
Lydia’s father walked
away from her when she was eight. She’s struggled to not let him affect her,
but fears she wasn’t loveable enough to make him stay. Jake wants to love one
woman, but after scaring the last woman he met outside of the club, he doubts
he has the right. She protects her heart by sticking with her fantasies, and he
lives by a set of rules that excludes women who choose a vanilla lifestyle.
The two will be kept in
a conference room working together until their special project is complete. If
Lydia and Jake hold tight to their bland lives, they’ll always yearn for love
that is out of reach. But together they can find common ground, passion, and a
reason to take chances. Once they discover the grand possibilities of the love
they desire, they find themselves in the very place they tried never to be
again, facing unguaranteed love.
Top Ten things to know about TAKING CHANCES
- I wrote the first chapter of TAKING CHANCES on January 21, 2012.
- It took me a couple months to finish the first draft. Although I haven’t added or deleted any scenes, it took almost the whole rest of the year to edit.
- TAKING CHANCES takes place in Chicago, as do all my stories.
- Of all the scenes it’s the ending that has gone
through the
most changes. I had to get the happy ending just right. J - One of my favorite parts of the book is when Jake takes a big chance and blows the story into a new path.
- I’m a Jane Austen fan, especially Pride and Prejudice. I can imagine I’ll find a way to write a story using each Bennet sister’s name. One down, four to go. J
- One of my favorite characteristics is Lydia’s brother, Sean. His story is always coming around to say hello. I hope to write it soon.
- The story may take place in Chicago, but the idea for their work place came from a place a worked at here in Michigan.
- TAKING CHANCES is the first in a series of four books I’m calling The Love Projects.
- In the epilogue, you’ll get hints regarding all three stories to come.
Excerpt:
“Come
on in, Lydia. I want to talk about a few things before we get started today. We
need to make it quick, since we need to report to Keller at ten this morning.”
When she remained in her spot he added, “Lydia, come here.”
Not
wanting Gina to take anything further from her, she lifted her head and walked
to Jake. She stopped at his desk, but felt instantly unworthy. Gina was more
Jake’s style. She fought the need to lower her chin.
“Look
at me, Lydia.”
He pushed her. “Why?” She shifted her
gaze and hit him with her direct stare.
“Thank
you. I needed to see your eyes.” He reached out and swiped a lock of hair from
her face. He tucked the strand behind her ear, and let his finger drag down her
face to her shoulder. All the while his gaze captured hers, not letting go.
“How are you this morning?”
“I’m
okay.”
“Okay?
Hmm, maybe I should do something to improve your mood? What would you say to
that?”
“Here?”
she gasped and quickly turned to look out the door.
He
grabbed hold of her shoulders, lifting her slightly off the floor.
“Yes,
here.” He brought their bodies together, claimed her lips and swept his tongue
through her mouth, awakening her sexual hunger.
She
felt wanted. She felt claimed. Images from the night before swam in her mind.
Silly challenges from the office mean girl were all forgotten. He set her down
and nipped at her lower lip.
“We
have a lot to do today. Unfortunately we cannot go any further, now.” He
stepped back behind his desk as casually as if he’d just greeted the mail man.
“But
you would want to?” Still looking at the papers on his desk, she didn’t think
he heard her. She took a step closer. “You would repeat last night?”
Her
words stopped him. His gaze searched her face. Placing his hands on the desk he
leaned forward and said, “Lydia, I fully intend to further explore your body
and mind. After all, there are a few places I haven’t yet completely
inspected.”
Her
mind ran through what he had done to her last night, and there was only one
place she could think of. Warmth fluttered through her face.
“Now,
that is a beautiful sight.” He returned to his papers. “I’m going to have to
keep thinking of ways to shock you simply to see you blush again.” With the
papers properly sorted, his attention returned to her. “Is Gina a problem?”
Gina
was a lot of things, but she’d never thought of her as a problem. “I don’t
think so.”
“Don’t
be afraid to put her in her place. She likes that more than she lets on. She’s
the type to push so she can be pushed back.”
“I
hadn’t thought of her that way. Interesting.”
“Let me
know if she becomes a problem.” His gaze drilled into hers, not letting her
escape.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
His posture remained controlled, but the smirk couldn’t be missed.
She
added her own version of the devilish grin, which ignited another blush before
she even spoke. “Okay, Sir.”
“Trouble.”
He stalked towards her and ruthlessly swept his hand under the hem of her skirt
to press firmly along her panties. His lips pressed to her ear. “Hot and damp.”
The
palm of his hand pressed on her clit, and he bent his knuckles, sending the
tips of his fingers past the edge of her panties to drag along her slit.
“Be
careful what you say to me, sweetheart, or you’ll shatter my control.” With one
last drag of his fingers, he pulled away and walked from the room.
She
turned around and watched him go. Her heart pounded. All she could do was
follow him, but she couldn’t move. The exchange with Jake left her bones
unsettled, and the all too familiar ache tried to set-up shop in her chest. She
hadn’t expected him to crave more from her, and now she couldn’t deny he did.
Was she going to deny herself the pleasure of getting to know him?
TAKING CHANCES BUY
LINKS:
Thank you, Kristabel! It's a pleasure to be here. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, S.J. and congrats on your new release!
ReplyDelete