Life Updates

So, I realize I haven't posted in what feels like forever. Truthfully, I've debated more than once with myself in the past few months about whether or not to delete this blog altogether. But I always talked myself out of it, for two main reasons. One, when I was blogging and visiting blogs consistently, I really loved it. And two, I like the idea of having a place I can potentially connect with readers (you know if I get on top of posting regularly). So in the end, I decided to keep the blog, but I thought it would be nice for me to explain, at least a little bit, what has kept me away the past few months.

1. Get Healthy - This has been a big one for me. I have been exercising more, and have put a huge effort into losing weight and getting healthy. I am currently working with a nutritionist and on a diet. So far I've lost 12 lbs (and counting) and feeling better than I have in a long time. It's amazing, but I feel more awake than I have in years. As if part of me has been in hibernation and is suddenly not only awake, but rearin' to go. And a few weeks ago I completed (walking) my very first 5k! Not only that, but I loved it! I'm already looking for more that I can do in the upcoming months.

2. New Job - A few months ago, I changed jobs. Still within the same company, but a job opened up in a whole new department, moving from full time to part time, and I knew I had to go for it to give myself more time to write. Theoretically, this would mean I'd have more time to write and blog and social network, right? Well, yes, except learning a new job is tough. I am just starting to feel like I know what's going on, and finally feel like I'm getting a handle of things. In addition, I have been pulling a lot of extra hours, both in my new job and my old one to get everything running smoothly and straightened out.

3. And of course...  Writing and Editing. You knew this one was going to be in there, right? I jumped straight from Kalindra edits into my next, and current, project, Bring Me to Life. Now, I know a lot of you are waiting on Laurie's story from the Alpine Woods Shifters, and I will post an update on that soon, but right now I'm working on another story that is really something special. Great, because it's going to be an amazing story, but not so great in that it's taking some time to get there. But don't worry, Laurie's story will have my full focus once I get Bring Me To Life written.

There have been other things occupying my time, of course, but these are the three big ones that have been the most draining/exciting/time consuming.

Thank you all for bearing with me as I get caught up!

Mr. Insatiable by Serenity Woods

I'm very excited about this book. This is the kind of plot line I absolutely love. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy reading the books with kidnappings, stalkers, and other baddies as much as the next girl, but reading a simple love story about the relationship between two people can be so refreshing. I just bought my copy off Amazon and can't wait to get started. Here are the details:

A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Gossip says he is hot between the sheets. Has Mr. Insatiable finally met his match?

Enya’s been curious about Kit’s bedroom exploits ever since his ex-girlfriend spilled the beans about his…skill. But he’s not for her. Enya can’t provide what he wants from life, especially not between the sheets.

After Enya admits she’s not good at sex, Kit persuades her to trust in him. Together, they can create fireworks in the bedroom. A few drinks followed by a discussion about kinky sex, and Enya succumbs to his charm.

Thrilled he’s been proven correct, Kit can’t keep his hands off Enya, and she’s unable, and unwilling, to resist him. But is it just great sex…or something more?

CONTENT WARNING:
Sexy, sizzling hot romance. Please read with air conditioning on.

Excerpt:

When he paused to kiss her hair again, she whispered, “Do you think I’m attractive?” It was a provocative statement, but the need for reassurance after her breakup was too great to resist.

Kit stilled, and she wondered whether she’d overstepped the invisible boundary they’d erected over the years. Just like Tristan had always done, Kit had commented on her burgeoning figure as she’d grown up, made lewd comments when she’d worn a bikini and teased her about the generous size of her breasts, but it had always been done in a brotherly way, in front of the rest of the family. He’d never crossed that line and been suggestive or touched her inappropriately. When they were alone, he was the perfect gentleman, honorable and polite, even if he did continue to tease her, she’d never felt uncomfortable with him. Sometimes she’d wondered whether he actually realized she’d grown up.

He moved back and looked down at her. Even though she wore three-inch heels, he towered over her, his shoulders broad beneath his jacket. She waited for him to make a joke, laugh, or look uncomfortable at being asked to say something personal like that. Instead, to her surprise, he cupped her face with his hands. Looking into her eyes, he held her gaze for a moment, his blue eyes alight with desire. To her astonishment, he smiled wolfishly and lowered his head.

She stood, transfixed, as he pressed his lips to hers. They were firm and warm, and she waited, breathless, while he kissed her, his mouth moving across hers with tender affection. Her mind raced. He was only trying to comfort her. Brother to sister. As if she were kissing Tristan. Yeuch.

Only it wasn’t yeuch. And it wasn’t remotely like how she imagined kissing her brother would be.

She rested her palms on his chest, surprised at the firmness of his muscles beneath her fingers. She’d seen him shirtless in the summer, hugged him and given him teasing pushes a gazillion times, but she’d never touched him. With his lips still slowly brushing hers, and her heart thudding, she moved her hands up and traced his collarbone beneath the white shirt, and then lifted her hands over his shoulders and around his neck, expecting him to draw back, laughing.

Instead of pulling away, Kit’s arms came around her, strong and tight, his hands sliding down her back to her hips. He pulled her against him, and to her complete and utter shock, pressed the hard length of his erection against her, obvious proof he didn’t feel as if he were kissing a sibling either.

Enya’s mouth opened and she gasped, inhaling sharply when his warm tongue brushed hers. For a second she froze, completely taken aback by his reaction, as confused as she had been in her dream by what he was doing and her reaction to him. He stilled, but before he pulled away, desire shot through her, and her instincts took over. Plunging her tongue into his mouth, she threaded her hands through his hair, pressing herself against him, molding her body to his.

Kit groaned, his hands tight on her butt. Unfamiliar yearning swept through her, and she tightened her hands in his hair, grazing her teeth against his bottom lip, pleasure mounting as he deepened the kiss.

She’d forgotten about the heels. She didn’t wear them very often, and when she lifted herself on tiptoe to press her breasts against his chest, she lost her balance. His weight pushed her back the six inches to the wall behind her, and she hit it with a jolt hard enough to make her gasp and break the kiss.

Kit stepped back. “Shit.” He ran both hands through his hair and then surveyed her, hands on hips, apparently lost for words.

Enya pressed shaking fingers to her lips, her head spinning. I kissed Kit Fawkes!

Bio

Serenity Woods lives in the sub-tropical Northland of New Zealand with her wonderful husband and gorgeous teenage son. She writes fun, flirty, and sexy romances in a variety of romantic sub-genres. She’s won several writing competitions and is a member of the Romance Writers of New Zealand. She would much rather immerse herself in reading or writing romance than do the dusting and ironing, which is why it’s not a great idea to pop round if you have any allergies. You can check out all her books at www.serenitywoodsromance.com.

Facebook:                     http://www.facebook.com/serenitywoodsromance

Twitter:                         https://twitter.com/Serenity_Woods

Amazon Page:               http://www.amazon.com/author/serenitywoods 

Barnes & Noble Page:    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/serenity-woods

Goodreads:                   http://www.goodreads.com/SerenityWoods

Publisher link:               http://lyricalpress.com/mr-insatiable/

Guest Blogging

I'm over at Guilty Indulgence talking about the importance of trust in any relationship. Stop by and tell me what you think.

http://guiltyindulgencebookclub.blogspot.com/2012/12/please-welcome-our-guest-author-sondrae.html

Six Sunday 12/9

One of the great things about being in edits for a book, is you find all these great snippets to use for Six Sentence Sunday. Since I'm in edits for Kalindra, due to release in May 2013, I couldn't resist sharing. This is a bit longer than six sentences, but the sentences are all pretty short, so I snuck a couple extra in.

Kali spun around, knife in hand. “Do I look like a ma’am to you? Ma’am implies old maid. I am not a ma’am.”

A wicked gleam lightened his eyes. And that smile? Trouble with a capital T. “Aren’t you like three hundred years old?”

She pointed the knife at him. “Your point?”

Kalindra will be available in May 2013. Current releases can be found HERE. For More information about me or my books, check out my website at www.sondraebennett.com.

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Come Visit Me

Stop on by Reading Between the Wines Bookclub to read my guest post on what makes a hero sexy. Let me know if you agree, and what you find sexy.

I'm also participating in a forum chat at The Romance Reviews as part of the Year End Splash party. I'll be answering questions, and posting throughout the day, so be sure to stop by and leave a comment! You have to sign up for an account on the site to post in the forums, but it's free and very easy.

Six Sunday 12/2

Another Sunday, which means another six sentence snippet! I had a hard time deciding what work to pull from today. I'm currently in edits for my May release, Kalindra, and found so many great things to share. But since Covert Desires comes out tomorrow (and is already available on Amazon) I figured I'd go with a snippet from that book. Plus, there are plenty of great moments in Covert Desires, too. 

This scene comes after our first date between out Danny and Amber.

Would she give into that desires, or hold out? 

She wasn't sure. And that uncertainty urged her to reach down and cover his hand on the handle, opening the door herself, and using it as a barrier to put between them. 

If they had met under other circumstances, things might have been different. But things weren't different, and imagining, even for a minute, that they could be, was a slippery slope. One she'd been down before, and one she almost hadn't come back from.

blurb:
Will desire be enough once all their secrets are revealed?

Still recovering from a traumatic assignment, Amber is wary of the man who shows up at her door with a plate of cookies and a welcoming smile. Instinct warns her he’s not all he seems. Then again, neither is she. Since she was sent to root out the secrets of the town and its people, she might as well accept his invitation to dinner. But when things start to heat up between them, will her loyalty lie with her job, or the man trying to win her heart?

Danny knows Amber is an FBI agent. Tasked by his brothers and the shifter council to keep her from discovering too much, he sets out to seduce her, a perfect cover to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t learn about his pack or their society. He hadn’t counted on a blazing attraction at first sight, though. His wolf knows Amber is his mate, and he’ll do anything to keep her safe and happy. But how can he reveal everything he is, and everything he’s been keeping from her, without losing her forever?

Covert Desires is available for purchase HERE. For More information about me or my books, check out my website at www.sondraebennett.com.


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Covert Desires first review!

The first review for Covert Desires, and it's a rave! 5 stars from Bitten by Paranormal Romance!

"Alpine Woods Shifters is one of my favorite series out there...Covert Desires is by far my favorite"


Check out the full review here:
http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2012/12/arc-review-covert-desiresby-sondrae.html