on Dec 21st, 2010 My last release for 2010 is finally here! Baby, Don’t Lose My Number is now available! It’s the second novella in the Fated series (Under My Umbrella being the first) and in celebration of its release I’m having a contest!
Never press the “ignore” button on love…
Fated, Book 2
In these uncertain times, Mia Skinner’s Blackberry is her lifeline to independence…and a twenty-four/seven chain to her overbearing boss. When she loses it on a girls’ night out, it’s a disaster with pink slip written all over it—until she takes a chance and calls her number. And ends up talking to Mr. Sexiest-Voice-Alive.
The moment Jacob Miller lays eyes on the phone’s beautiful owner, a bolt of lust makes him want to make a sexy mess of her tidy outfit and perfectly straight hair. Which is a good sign. It means he’s almost fully recovered from a near-debilitating construction accident. Perhaps a little horizontal healing will get him back on his feet for good.
As their passion burns bright and hot, a funny thing happens. Mia’s ignoring her phone—and Jake’s the one itching to get back to work. But he’s building a plan that’ll let her hang up on her increasingly creepy boss for good. If Mia’s willing to meet him in the middle.
(You can find it at Samhain, Amazon and Barnes & Noble)
**CONTEST TIME!!**
Who wants to win a copy of Under My Umbrella (first in the Fated series)? Just answer the following question:
Do you believe in fate? That you and a certain someone were meant to be (or will be)?
One lucky commenter will be chosen to win! The contest closes Wednesday, December 22nd at 8 p.m. pacific! The winner will be announced here on the blog.
Want to read an excerpt of Baby…? Here ya go!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The second they climbed into the truck Jake hauled her to him, his mouth fused with hers. The kiss had been brutal, possessive, delicious, wondrous. Like nothing she’d ever experienced before. She’d returned it with equal enthusiasm, her tongue wrapped around his, her hands buried in his silky soft hair as she held him to her.
Yes, she’d made out with a man she barely knew in her boss’s driveway. She could hardly recognize herself.
After a few lustful minutes they’d finally come to their senses and came up for air. With a quick kiss he pulled away from her and put the truck into gear then tore out of the driveway with a speed that surprised her. She remained silent in the passenger seat, stealing glances in his direction every few minutes. Admired his strong, handsome profile, the sharp angle of his nose and the sweet softness of his lips.
Her mouth still tingled from their fevered kiss. She touched them, noted their swollenness and she looked at him again. Realized the truck had come to a stop at a red light and he was staring at her as if he wanted to devour her whole.
Moisture flooded her between her legs and she swallowed hard, tore her gaze from his.
What was happening between them? She’d known him…not quite two days. Their dinner date last night had been fun, the connection between them instant, the conversation easy. Hence, the reason she’d asked him to accompany her today.
But what they were experiencing at this very moment, this all-consuming heat it was…odd. Exhilarating. And undeniably exciting.
“If you don’t want to do this, just say so.” He sounded edgy, upset and she turned to find him staring straight ahead. His jaw rock hard, his hands gripping the steering wheel tight as he waited for the light to turn green.
“Wh—what do you mean?”
“You look upset. I shouldn’t have pushed you.”
“Maybe I pushed you.”
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his brows lowered. “You didn’t push me.”
Mia sighed. “I’m trying to tell you that I wanted this. That I still want this.” She immediately bit her lip, surprised she admitted it.
This was certainly a day for revelation.
His mouth curved into the faintest smile, and he pressed the gas when the light switched to green. “You won’t regret it.” This was a statement, not a question.
“I know I won’t.”
Jake drew in a sharp breath. “You are a constant surprise.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Very much a good thing,” he murmured. “Come here.”
She frowned, waved at the console between them. “How?”
With a flick of his wrist he tugged on a strap and the console went up, turning it into a bench seat. He patted the empty space next to him. “Sit closer to me.”
Without a word she undid her seatbelt and slid across the seat, nestling herself next to him. She pulled the lap belt across her front and clicked it into the latch, her arm bumping against his. His hand rested on top of her knee, pushing aside the hem of her dress so he could touch her bare flesh.
Her knee jumped at the contact, making him chuckle.
“Your skin is so soft.” He kept his voice pitched low as he stroked her, innocent touches above her knee though she knew his intentions were anything but innocent. Staring straight ahead, he kept his gaze locked on the road, turning with ease onto the ramp that led to the freeway.
As he merged onto the interstate he continued to touch her, his hand sliding up the inside of her thigh, his fingers tickling her skin. She grabbed his wrist, stopping his ascent and he sent her a questioning look.
“You’re driving,” she explained, ignoring the breathless quality of her voice. “Maybe we should wait.” She didn’t want to wait. She was just being…prudent.
His hand slid up farther, despite her hold on his wrist. It was almost as if she was guiding him to the very heart of her. Which maybe—unconsciously—she was. “Just seeing if you have any panties on under there.”
“Of course I have panties on.” She was shocked at his statement, at the bold move he made. Shocked and aroused because wouldn’t it be fun to wear a dress with no panties on and let him discover on his own when his hands dived beneath her skirt?
She shivered at the delicious thought.
“Hmm, I’m not surprised. Cotton or lace? Or maybe satin?”
His questions as he continued to drive drove her a little crazy. He behaved as if nothing unusual was happening. “Cotton and lace.”
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I absolutely believe in fate. My husband and I were best friends for 6 years before we because “more” and got married. I have always thought that we were destined to be together because it always seemed that no matter what happened something always brought us together! After 13 years I still love him dearly and we are happily married with 2 beautiful daughters.
by Leagh December 21st, 2010 at 8:36 amI enjoy reading books about fate playing a role in bringing people together, but I don’t believe it in real life.
by Anne December 21st, 2010 at 8:53 amOh I totally believe in fate! My fiance and I have been through some really tough stuff, even have ended up breaking up a time or two…but we always get back together and I believe that proves we are meant to be!!
by Ashley A December 21st, 2010 at 9:05 amI believe in fate. Would probably have never met my husband without it or have either of my daughters(fate had to be working there as I was on birth control both times I got pregnant).
by Beth C. December 21st, 2010 at 9:42 amIt’s if we recognize it and take advantage of the opportunity Fate presents that is the question.
I do believe in fate and many times it’s staring us in the face and we don’t even know it…or pass up an opportunity and realize later how things could have been different.
by Tracey D December 21st, 2010 at 10:13 amI do believe in Fate..it’s up to you do follow the right path that leads to your FATE!
by Denise Tobar December 21st, 2010 at 10:27 amI believe in fate. I think you have to make choices in your life to take you to FATE but at the same time you can still screw it all up. I believe my husband and I are fated to be together. We have broken up or seperated a time or two but we have always gone back to each other.
by desiree December 21st, 2010 at 10:34 amI absolutely believe in fate-and not just in romantic relationships, but friendships, too. :)
by Eden Bradley December 21st, 2010 at 10:49 amThis book looks awesome!!! And HOT cover!
Woohoo! Happy release day Sticky Bun!
by R.G. Alexander December 21st, 2010 at 10:49 amOh and I believe. You know I believe. :)
by R.G. Alexander December 21st, 2010 at 10:50 amKeep the answers coming – I love hearing them! Sounds like the majority are believers.
And Eden I agree – fate plays a part in friendships too!
by Karen Erickson December 21st, 2010 at 11:00 amI don’t believe in fate because I think that we have a choice not only in matters of the heart but in the rest of life. I do think that sometimes we get a nudge (or several!) in a certain direction, but it’s up to us to act on that and make it what we will!
That said, I do love the idea of finding someone who’s such a wonderful match that it seems ordained from when the heavens were hung :)
Happy release day, Karen!
by Fedora December 21st, 2010 at 11:02 amOh gosh that is a loaded question Karen. I do believe in fate(I am a daydreamer and love everything fairytale *sigh*). It’s so funny because my hubby and I met thru work but we actually lived very close to each other, hung out at all the same places but never crossed each others path. I believe fate did step in for us because we met at a perfect time in our lives where we needed each other. If we would have met before that I know we would have probably been just a fling lol.
by Ivelisse December 21st, 2010 at 11:35 amI got this today. Can’t wait to read it. Sounds like it is going to be a really good read.
by Terra Pennington December 21st, 2010 at 11:36 amTerra
I absolutely believe in fate. My husband and I are living proof that we were fated for eachother. We were highschool sweethearts that broke up and I moved away and he tracked me down a year later and we got back together. We have been together ever since, have 3 beautiful boys, and have been married for 13 years.
So, fate, absolutely. Everyone has a fate. Be it was is already planned out for you by whatever higher power you believe in or the fate you make for yourself.
by Christina R. December 21st, 2010 at 11:37 amI DO believe in fate, and that there can even be more than ONE person meant to be with you. And that fate is fluid. Is it still fate that way?
by Miranda December 21st, 2010 at 12:01 pm*pant pant* Oh.My.Gawd. I must have this book. And yes, I absolutely believe in fate, destiny, whatever you want to call it – I’ve been with my hubby for 23 years (married at 17) and every day I’m thankful for him. He’s my other half, without a doubt.
by Bonnie H December 21st, 2010 at 12:18 pmAnd I totally agree with Eden about the friendships as well <3
Yes I am a believer in fate, but I also believe we make our own choices that lead us to our directions that fate may have for us. Not everything is written in stone t
by Dawn December 21st, 2010 at 12:33 pmWe have several different paths were are fated and our choice dictate which split in the path we get to go down. My hubby would say yes 100% to this the day he met me he went home and told his family he found the girl he was meant to marry (I was only 15 and he was 20). He told me he dreamt of me before we met even. -aren’t girls supposed to be the sappy ones lol I got lucky I guess
Congrats on the new release, Karen. I do believe in fate and that there’s somebody out there for everyone, but the trick is finding them.
by Jane December 21st, 2010 at 1:19 pmI certainly do believe in Fate. So many things have happened to me that showed that something higher was in the game and leading me to certain places, at certain times and meeting certain people.
Yep, I’m a believer!!!!
Valerie
by Valerie December 21st, 2010 at 1:24 pmin Germany
Congrats Karen on the new release. It sounds really good.
by elaing8 December 21st, 2010 at 2:42 pmNo I don’t believe in fate.Mainly because it hasn’t brought me “the one” yet :)
Yes I believe in fate, many friendships are formed by fate I believe. Romantic or just friendships happen that way.
by Michelle C. December 21st, 2010 at 2:57 pmHappy release Day Karen.
Michelle
I want to say I don’t believe in fate, but there are times I think I do– I guess I believe in a Fate that gives us choices along the way, but eventually guides us to those choices that are the right ones. Sure, I’d rather not have endured a 6 yr. marriage in hell, BUT it made me a stronger person and then I met my current husband and had 3 kids– it’s been 22 years that have more than made up for those 6 years.
by Brenda/Moonsanity December 21st, 2010 at 4:36 pmYes I do believe in fate because of fate we meet our friends and lovers in our lives. We sometimes have to go thru pain to get there but I have learned it makes us stronger and smarter.
by Ana December 21st, 2010 at 4:54 pmHappy Release Day Karen!!!!
Yes, I do believe in fate but I also believe our choices affect our fate. I met my hubby when I was working at a convenience store. He came in as a customer. He had me at “You’re a hopeless romantic aren’t you?”
We have been together 10 yrs.
by Bobbie Baynard December 21st, 2010 at 5:40 pmThank you and Congrats!!
I am not 100% sure that I believe in fate. I LOVE reading about it and I think I see it come into play in my life every now and then. Lots of crazy coinkie dinks with my hubby and I. My friend Ive and I have tons of stuff in common outside of the books we like so I don’t know maybe I believe more than I think I do lol
KittyKelly
by Kelly Thrash December 21st, 2010 at 6:01 pmOh yeah FYI that was supper hot!!! I wanna read more!! lol
KittyKelly
by Kelly Thrash December 21st, 2010 at 6:01 pmTotally believe in Fate! Everything happens for a reason…we just may not know that reason at the time! Love this series and can’t wait to dig into this one!
by Kirsten Christensen December 21st, 2010 at 7:58 pmKaren, I believe in Fate, but Fate might not take us in the path we think we want to go. Just like a child wants candy when it needs good food instead. Teresa
by Teresa December 22nd, 2010 at 2:01 amI believe fate takes us on a path called life. I am looking forward to reading Baby Don’t Lose my Number. Got it for my birthday. Now I just need to pick up book one.
Terra
by Terra Pennington December 22nd, 2010 at 8:42 ami don’t believe in fate i believe we make our own choices
meandi09@yahoo.com
by jennifer mathis December 22nd, 2010 at 10:10 amI believe that my hubby and I were fated to be together. We met in 1999, didn’t move to the lovers until 2003 and got married in 2004. He always tells me that we were fated to be together.
by Marika Weber December 22nd, 2010 at 11:35 amConsidering my lack of a love life right now for me it’s getting a little hard to believe that fate is waiting to drop someone in my life.
In most cases though yeah I believe in fate, my mom and dad broke up for a little bit before they were married, they also wrote back in forth while my dad was in the army.
I think fate had a hand in them getting together.
by Gabrielle December 22nd, 2010 at 11:41 amI don’t know that I believe that people are fated to be together/fall in love, but I DO believe that everything happens for a reason & that people come into our lives for a reason.
by Courtney S December 22nd, 2010 at 12:08 pmI do. I’m with someone who I don’t think o would have found by myself…
by Allison December 22nd, 2010 at 12:08 pmI definitely love the idea of fated love in the romance stories I read, but probably not so much in reality.
by Cathy M December 22nd, 2010 at 12:55 pmSure I believe in fate and not just romantic relationships but all aspects of your life.
gigi
by gigi staub December 22nd, 2010 at 6:10 pm