Spotlight on Anjie Harrte

For this week’s author spotlight on our TTC VBT, Anjie Harrte is featuring her WIP, An Unexpected Desire. At the moment the novel is going through the first set of edits which she hopes to finish  by the end of September. 

O.o.o.o.O.o.o.o. O.o.o.o.O.o.o.o O.o.o.o.O.o.o.o O.o.o.o.O.o.o.o O.o.o.o.O.o.o.o

An Unexpected Desire

Blurb

Fiona is a thirty four year old woman whose life is filled with uneventful boredom. Her coworkers refer to her as the ice queen and she agrees with them. She finds nothing fulfilling in her job or her life but she plods on.

Nyasha is a fiery spirit and an outgoing ambitious woman with her eye on top of the world. She is somewhat of a womanizer and there is a dark secret in her past that made her this way.

Then one day the two women catapult into each other. The sparks are flying; the stars are glistening and; the hairs are raising but still they deny their feelings for each other and fight it off as best as they could. Fiona believes she is straight so these feelings mean nothing, Nyasha remembers the last time she fell for a straight woman and how it destroyed her so she is trying to keep her distance. But what happens when their desires rise, their blood boils, and the fire between them erupts into a massive flame?

Can they continue to fight this attraction? Can they lie to themselves about how they feel? Can Nyasha let go of the past and accept Fiona? Is Fiona straight or has she always been this way and refused to admit it? Both of them are faced with many questions as this unexpected desire for each other rages on.

Excerpt

Nyasha threw the sheet off of her naked body and sat up throwing her legs off of the bed. Fingers traced her spine as she closed her eyes. Warm hands slid over her shoulders and cupped her breasts; a finger teasing her nipple getting it hard. Soft lips pressed against her neck as hot breath permeated her skin. "Come back to bed," the sultry voice whispered in her ear. She closed her eyes and allowed the hands to lower her back on the soft ruffled sheets, as the supple lips were pressed against hers. Soon fingers rubbed at her love spot as she moved her body smoothly against it. Her head moved from side to side as the fingers pried inside of her; moving back and forth in unison with her hips. A symphony played somewhere to which her body moved; crashing in tune with the banging of the cymbals. Enveloped by sweetness that flowed through her being, her muscles contracted and the nectar of her lust flowed as Nyasha uttered a name. It flowed off her tongue so smoothly, so natural, that she didn't realize until she opened her eyes that it wasn't tonight's lover's name that she had uttered.

Nyasha pushed past Shelly and hurried into the bathroom closing the door behind her. She heard as Shelly went hysterical cussing and screaming and banging down the door. She breathe deeply and threw her head against the door. Never had she made this mistake before. How many lovers had she had? How many have she juggled at a time and never have she called one by the other's name and now this, she has never even slept with Fiona, then why was she uttering her name? A loud bang was heard as something was thrown against the door. Nyasha moved from the door and watched at it as though it would leap out at her. Just a while ago this woman was so composed and loving, just minutes ago this apartment was filled with the music of love making; skin against skin, tongues dancing, essence flowing, hearts beating, lips making trails on bodies and voices echoing the pleasure that bodies felt, and now one woman screamed, yelled and cried on one side of a door as the other wondered if she could escape through the bathroom wrapped in the shower curtain.

If there was one thing Nyasha believed in was that the saying; ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ was a true thing. Wrapping a towel around her nakedness she prepared herself for the worse. What was the worst that could happen? She flung the door open and stepped out, the room was quiet and there was no sign of Shelly. The room was upturned, the small night stand was on its side, a jewellery box was lying on the floor broken, its contents scatterred; this had to be the object thrown at the door. The sheets was yanked off the bed and ruffled together in a bunch on the ground, all the contents of the vanity were scattered about. A once well kept, neat little room looked as though a tornado had passed through. Nyasha grabbed up her clothes quickly pushing her legs into her dress pants and pulling on her blouse over her head. As soon as the blouse cleared her head her body jolted, startled by the angry eyes that was inches away from her. “Who the hell is Fiona?” Shelly demanded.

Anjie Harrte: Romance with some Caribbean flavour

Anjie Harrte is a twenty nine year old mother of one who resides in sunny Guyana, South America. Sometime between running a small business, having a full time job and being a mother and partner she finds time to pursue her passion for creating stories. Anjie dreams up stories of contemporary fiction splashed with some romance, a little dose of murder or an ounce of suspense and sometimes when no one is looking she dashes in a little twist. When she isn’t doing any of that, she is decorating a cake, knitting a chair back or sewing her latest design. Anjie even finds time to lurk around and stalk people and pages on facebook and you too can stalk her if you like at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anjie-Harrte/  or you can follow her on twitter @anjieharrte or keep updated with her writing at http://authoranjieharrte.blogspot.com/

***

Thanks for stopping by Anjie! 

If you'd like to leave comments below about Anjie's WIP (or anything Anjie) feel free, we will both be checking. 

Deleted Scene! - It had to be.

This week on the TTC/MasterKoda Virtual Blog Tour we are sharing deleted scenes. This week my guest is Nikki Noffsinger, author of Cursed Awakening published by XOXO Publishing.  Enjoy! 

Deleted Scene: Nikki Noffsinger

TTC-VBT

            When I wrote Cursed Awakening, the first rough draft I had put it over three hundred pages. Now there wasn’t anything wrong with that but when I did the read through (one of many), I noticed that many of the storylines and ideas I had were taking away from the story. One of my favorite deleted scenes from the book takes place at the college that Ivy has just began attending and a certain wolf just can’t stay away. Enjoy!

Homecoming

            Ivy was still on the fence about going to the Homecoming carnival. She had made several friends but still large crowds made her skittish. Okay, they did more then make her skittish; they border lined on giving her crippling panic attacks. Determination though was driving her though to get over yet another challenge. Lorna had offered to come along for support but then at the last minute Lorna was going to be unable to go due to she had to go to the next town over and check on a safe house where three teenage boys were being fostered since they too had fled their own commune. So that left Ivy going solo to the event. For a total of sixty seconds, she let the worry and past wash over her. Then she let it go and turned the door knob and set out for Homecoming.

            The college grounds were packed. There were booths set up that sold food, t-shirts, and fun things. Ivy laughed at the Justice League themed booth from the Science Department. For just a few dollars she could pick a super-hero and have them “arrest” a student or teacher in attendance.  She waved at a girl in one of her classes who was sitting in Justice League jail and getting her picture taken with the Incredible Hulk. She still was a little nervous but the more she walked around and visited the booths and waved at fellow students, her nerves began to relax. Just as she was going to head to get something to drink, someone startled her from behind. Ivy turned and there was Jacee and her boyfriend Xander who happened to be the brother of a man she hadn’t been able to get out of her head. Jacee was dressed in leg hugging denim capris and an off the shoulder pink top. In the dictionary under the word “perky” there had to be a picture of Jacee. Xander held up his hand and grinned.

            “Now you didn’t think girlfriend that you would be hanging here alone did you?” Jacee’s voice was filled with laughter.

            Ivy sighed with a smile. “Actually I figured by now that the mother ship would have come and snatched me by now.” She joked.

            Jacee laughed as she wrapped her arms around Ivy, “Girl you are too funny and guess who we brought with us? Guess!”

            Before Ivy could answer, Nyx strolled up with that sexier than should be allowed half grin, next to his brother. Ivy had to force her jaw to work and prayed her voice followed suit.

            “Hello Nyx, how are you?” her breath nearly stopped when he walked the few steps towards her.

            Nyx hadn’t exactly known why he had insisted on coming with Jacee and his brother but it all boiled down to this woman. She was beautiful yet there was something inside her that touched his animal spirit. He had watched her from afar as she’d perused the booths, spoke to people, laughed, and had let down her guard. Ivy was gentle and intelligent yet despite whatever burdens life had placed upon her, she exuded strength. More and more the woman had been in just about every thought he had. His brothers knew something was up and it had been damn hard trying to block his mental pathways from them. His grandfather had simply chuckled when he’d been lost in thought and accidently took off the oil cap instead of tightening it resulting in oil dripping into his face. There had been only one of his kind to ever mate with a human and had it not been for his grandfather; Jacee’s mother would have been exiled or worse. Jacee’s mother had died soon after Jacee was born and some had said that it was because Skye had broken their laws that the Great Spirit was angered. His grandfather, Night Horse had quieted those voices and had made sure that Jacee’s mother had been honored. He also gave Jacee’s father a place to live at New Hope.

            Nyx looked down into those soft eyes of Ivy’s and smiled so that she could see his even white teeth, “I’m doing pretty well. The question is how you are?”

            Ivy felt as if she’d been touched even though he had not laid a finger on her. She licked her lips and could have sworn she heard a low growl come from him.

            “I’m doing okay. A lot better actually since there is someone to talk too. All my classmates seem to be on dates or working booths. I was just going to head over by the Student Union and see what food they have for sale.”

            Jacee grinned between Ivy and Xander, “We were actually going to check out the rides. I’m dying to go on the Ferris Wheel. You should come with us and then we can all go and get something to eat.”

            Ivy had never been on a Ferris wheel. She started to protest but Nyx put an arm around her shoulders and whispered, “Don’t worry Ivy, I got you.”

            By the time they made it to what was known as Greek Row where two sororities and two fraternities sat were carnival rides. Ivy tried to reason with herself that she wasn’t going to die or make a scene. She began to wring her hands but Nyx took her one in his very large one and winked at her. He bought their tickets and waited in line. Jacee was bouncing up and down and Xander was talking with Nyx who was poking fun at Jacee. Ivy was quiet and according to Xander was looking “white as a sheet”. Ivy watched as the colorful carts going up and around. Her breathing was starting to come in pants.

            Nyx could sense her fear as could Xander and Jacee but they said nothing. Jacee and Xander got into the next car and she waved at Ivy who managed to wave back weakly. Then it was Nyx and Ivy’s turn. Part of Ivy wanted her to run and keep on running. The other part was kicking her in the tail and telling her to get over it! Ivy took a breath and let Nyx lead her towards the cart. The moment she sat down she gripped the arm bar till her knuckles were white and closed her eyes as she felt the Ferris wheel move up.

            She began to feel herself tremble and hated it. Just as Ivy was about to start screaming from panic, she felt a warm and strong arm wrap around her and pull her to a hard, strong, and that woodsy-patchouli and spice scent that clung to him. Immediately, her breathing and body calmed and she could open her eyes. The wheel was making another rotation.

            “Ivy, you’ve never rode on a Ferris wheel have you?” he asked.

            She shook her head, “Sure, I ride them all the time.”

            Nyx laughed. “The first time I rode on one, me and my grandfather had stopped at this small circus. My grandfather was always finding some new adventure for us to do that usually ended up in one of us getting a lecture from my mother. Anyhow, I had never ridden on one before and neither had he. We were both excited but I think he was a little more though. It was neat how it would get us to the top and we could see for miles before pulling us down enough that we could feel the air rushing. We had loved it so much that we bought tickets for two more rides. When we got to the last ride, we weren’t as excited. We’d had a lot of hot dogs, cotton candy, soda pop, and peanuts to eat.”

            He was relieved to see Ivy amused and paying attention to him rather than her fear so he continued, “So we were nearly over the last hump when suddenly all that circus food began to rebel and rebel in a big way. My grandfather was feeling pretty much the same way. We both probably looked like crazy people sitting there with our hands over our mouths. The carnie took one look at us and thought to just speed up the wheel so he could get us both off before we threw up. He didn’t think that idea through because right before our cart could get to the platform, well you can guess what happened.”

            Ivy burst out laughing. She couldn’t stop laughing. Nyx thought there was no sweeter sound than the laughter that came from her lips. She was looking up at him; those eyes that said so much and those lips that were a perfect bow; the kind of lips that were meant for kisses. Everything in his mind and heart told him to claim her; to hold her to his body and kiss her. God he wanted to. They were so close together he could feel her breath on his face like a teasing caress. His spirit animal howled; he had recognized his mate and wanted the man to claim her, but he couldn’t. The ride had come to a halt and he got out of the cart and offered her his hand. He saw the confusion on her face and he loathed himself in that moment for causing the hurt that had flashed on her face before she tucked it away.

            Ivy had been too close to kissing Nyx. What was wrong with her? She hadn’t had a romantic thought about any many since…well she just didn’t entertain those thoughts unless they included men with the last names of Pitt, Depp, and Fimmel. When she got off the ride she would put as much distance between the two of them as she could. She glanced at him and almost sighed. For moments, short moments that felt much longer; Ivy had felt at ease, normal, and what it would be like to have a man like Nyx. No doubt, he would make some woman happier beyond her wildest dreams. Sadly, she’d never be that woman.

***

            Nyx was running the perimeter of his family’s lands. His mind was going over and over that Ferris wheel ride with Ivy. On the ride home, his brother had told him that Ivy had a lot of guys interested in her but she hardly paid them the time of day. Who wouldn’t want to date Ivy? Who wouldn’t want to make her theirs? Who wouldn’t want to wake up every morning with a woman like her next to them? Jacee had chattered on and on about Ivy. The woman’s laughter still echoed in his head. Someday some man would want to possess her; to claim her. A man would hold her in his arms and kiss those lips…and that was enough. Nyx howled up towards the sky that held a thousand stars. Traditions be damned and even laws for that matter. Ivy would have no other but him and that was all there was to it. There was no other option.

About the Author

            Nikki Noffsinger is a 37 year old mother of two children and has always loved writing and creating stories from a young age. She lives with her family in a mid-sized Indiana town. Aside from writing she has an eclectic taste in both music and art, loves to travel, and has a great love of all things that go “bump” in the night.

Links

http://www.xoxopublishing.com

http://nikkitrueblue.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nicole.noffsinger

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Realm-Of-Author-Nikki-Noffsinger/191125007586215

Daydreams, Scottish Men, Kilts - Meet Linda Bolton

Here is my interview with Linda Bolton for the Tasha Turner Virtual Blog Tour – MasterKoda. Linda sent her response to my questions, and said, "I hope I'm interesting enough." 

I think after reading this, you'd agree she is one interesting lady. Leave comments below if you agree! 

  1.      I see you write contemporary romance. How did you come across the genre? 

I became very interested in the actor Gerard Butler. Even joined one of his fan sites. I was daydreaming way too much and decided I needed an outlet, so I started writing my daydreaming down and a book was born.

 2.      How long have you been writing? 

I started writing poetry in high school and was published in a literary magazine. I started a fictional story ten years ago but never finished it. I dabbled here and there and finally sat down and started my first book two years ago.

3.      At the moment you’re not published, do you have plans to go live with your work soon? 

I have sent my first book to a publisher and am waiting for their response. I should hear something by the end of this month. If its a no, then I have a few others I’d like to try. I hope to be published by next year. I have a lot of other book ideas and would love to share them too. 

4.      Do you have a blurb of your first finished novel that you can share with us?

Alexandra Daniels is a forty-something, hard-working mom, wife and employee. Her life has been plodding along at a snails pace and she’s longing for excitement. She wins a trip to her favorite talk show in New York, the Veronica Becker Show, and it just so happens the actor of her dreams is a guest, Derek Dunbar! Is Alex’s life about to change?

Derek Dunbar is Scottish, an actor and a hunk! Every woman in America drools after him. He has his pick of women but stinks at relationships. At forty, is he longing for a more meaningful relationship? Does he even know how to have one? Is he willing to make the effort or will it just be too complicated?

5.      So I hear you like anything Scottish, huh? 

Yes! I have been to some Scottish festivals and have some Scottish friends.

6.      What do you think makes Scottish men so alluring? 

The accent and the kilts! Just want to take a peek....just once!

7.      Do your stories include all things Scottish (and Scottish men)? If not where do you get your inspiration from?

The first book is based on Scottish actor Gerard Butler. There is a whole lot of travel, taking the characters to Scotland, Island of Dominica, Iceland, New York and Los Angeles as well as a few other places. My future books get their inspiration from other stars and from my everyday friends. And, yes, most of my friends know they have become fodder for my books.

8.      I read on your bio that you are a part-time fitness rep? What does that mean? 

I am a Beachbody Coach, selling workout programs such as P90X, Insanity and TurboFire, and Shakeology meal replacement. Its great stuff and love the routines! I Also work full-time as an office manager and I take care of alumni relations with my college sorority. Oh, and I’m going to be a grandmother (GiGi) in Oct. I’m very busy!

9.     Coffee or Tea? Definitely coffee! Everyday!

10.  Cats or Dogs? Both...right now I am pet-less, but I love both!

11.  Summer or Winter?  In Texas...WINTER!! Its been 100 degrees since May!

12.  Share three things about yourself that your Facebook friends might not know about you: 

1) I was adopted when I was 8 days old and found my biological family in Germany  - I keep in contact with my oldest sister, her girls and my oldest brother’s daughters. 

2) My ex and I adopted our daughter when she was eleven years old from the fostercare system in Georgia - she is the one making us proud grandparents in October. 

3) I struggle with my weight everyday. I have since I was small and it a constant reminder I will never be in control of all aspects of my life...ever.   But I keep trying!

            Laci, Thanks so much for hosting me. I really enjoyed it!

 And thank you Linda for being my guest today! 

Linda Bolton is an aspiring contemporary romance writer.  She is looking for a publisher for her first book, Perfect.  While working on a future projects Linda can be found:

On Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/linda.bowersbolton 

and http://www.facebook.com/lindaboltonauthor

On Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/#!/lindalou42  

Her romance blog at http://www.lindabolton.blogspot.com

Liebster Blog Award

This looks like fun, thanks to Rosanna Leo

What is a Liebster Blog Award, you say? The Liebster Blog Award is an award given to blogs that have less that 200 followers. It's a way of generating some love and some traffic for smaller bloggers. 

Of course there are some other rules:

• Each person must post 11 facts about themselves
• Answer 11 questions the tagger has given you and give 11 questions for the people you've tagged
• Choose 11 people and link them in your post
• Tell them you've tagged them
• No tag backs

11 Facts about Laci Paige:

1. I am a mother of two

2. I started my writing career in my late thirties

3. I like brussels sprouts

4. my father, brother, and husband (and a few friends from school) were in the military all at different times.

5. I enjoyed Twilight

6. I'd been to over a dozen different countries before my 25th birthday

7. I play rock band by myself when my family won't play with me (I'm not good)

8. I dislike driving

9. Chocolate anything is my fave dessert
10. I drive a white nondescript four door car

11. I love my life!

Questions from Rosanna Leo!

1) Aside from what you're doing, what is your dream career?

Something, anything, where I can hob knob with Joe Manganiello.

2) Who is your fave literary hero ever?

I don 't have just one. I have dozens! 

3) If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be?

On a tropical beach with white sands and clear blue water in one of those on the water bungalows. 

4) What is your favorite drink?

Sweet tea (in the southern USA only)

5) Who inspires you most?

My family.

6) Cat or dog person?

Cat! Dogs are cute but so much more work lol.

7) If a vampire offered you eternal life, would you say yes or no?

I would say no, unless all of my friends and family could live eternally with me.

8) Which paranormal creature would make the best mate for you?

A vampire.

9) Who's your favorite movie actor?

For looks see question one, other than that I would say: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, and Tom Cruise because I've enjoyed just about all the movies they've been in. 

10) If you had to pick either Italian or Chinese food, which would you pick?

Italian! (the real Italian food from Italy, not the american style).

11) Would you ever consider plastic surgery?

Yep. I would love a breast reduction. And I wouldn't be opposed to getting my lower lids lifted, my skin there is so thin and sad :( If I had the money, wasn't scared of surgery, or pain, I would have done both by now!

Thank-you all, and have fun!

Blogs I've tagged:

Tara Chevrestt

Anjie Harrte

Cathy Brockman

Doug Simpson

Nikki Noffsinger

Raymond Frazee

Catrina Taylor

Linda Bolton

Jennifer Don

Ed Griffin

Tasha Turner

Questions for those tagged: 

1. Favorite color?

2. Tea or Coffee?

3. What is your dream job?

4. What time of day are you most creative?

5. Last movie you've watched in the movie theater?

6. What pets do you have?

7. Winter or Summer?

8. My son says that I should ask if you like to wear socks?

9. Favorite vacation spot?

10. Favorite superhero?

11. Last book you read?

Whew, that was a lot of work! But it was fun =) Thanks, Rosanna!