She Doesn't Play Well With Others

Chick Lit Adult Romance.

With a guarded heart and a knack for making the big corporate money, Jill Waltz was no stranger to going it alone. When one crazy drunken night, she is caught in several compromising positions with her married boss and she knew her life was about to be turned upside down. First of which was to be shipped to the branch office in the middle of nowhere. Little did she know the man that stole her heart ten years ago, would show up in the same place to discover that their love never extinguished. Leaving her wondering if happily-ever-after does exist or will she mess up this second chance and hope that third times a charm.

This adult romance story contains the emotions of how one corporate go-getter of a woman can get herself so caught up in chaos that there seems no clear way to make it all work out. With her desire to love the man she lost and keep it all together she finds that once what seemed so important was not that important after all, while trying to keep it all emotionally together.

Book Inserts:

No one seemed to overlook the fact that he slept with her just as much as she had slept with him. In addition, at no point in time did they actually sleep, if you know what I mean. He was not being sent off to the middle of nowhere to now be the only woman supervisor of fifty men for the middle of their nowhere plant. He got a stern warning from his parents and all Jill got was a second chance to prove her worth to the company.

Thinking about Reed Conley and the way he made me feel, got my mind all stirred up about Mitch West. Now he was a man to make a girl get all warm and fuzzy with a look: captain of the basketball team, all-star player, with dreams of college and a career in the fire department. We were quite a pair. I was ice to his fire.

I told Ralph I would be back in five and hung up. That image turned and looked at me with his piercing blue eyes and dark hair. Dead man walking, I screamed at myself mentally.

It was Mitch. Mike, his old best friend from high school, wasn’t lying. Speak ill of the dead and they will come back to haunt you.

It couldn’t be. Why would Mitch be here instead of, I don’t know, somewhere other than out here in the middle of no man’s land? This man, if he was truly Mitch, stared at me as if he recognized me. We stared each other down. Up and down for several minutes. I could not believe the exact resemblance this man held to my Mitch from high school.

I could not get over the fact that after ten years, I still had feelings that stirred up deep in my soul for that man and somehow we both ended up here. Maybe it was a way for me to finally get all of this resolved so I might be able to move on and actually have a relationship with a man, instead of always jumping ship at the first sign of shore.

What happens when a book shy girl, grows up dreaming about her next-door neighborhood boy as her dream fantasy man to marry. Then she runs into him as a twenty eight year old woman trying to find her wild side. When Mary Catherine O'Reilly, Mary Cate to her friends, finally succumbs to her best friends wishes to take her life style up a notch, crazy and wild things happen. Crazy as in doing things a reserved kindergarten teacher would never think about doing, wild as in experiencing the best orgasms of her life with the man of her dreams in places she would never have thought possible.

When one man tugs at your fantasy heart strings for so long and then to have it happen for real, a girl can fall hard. Only one problem, when that man finally gets to fulfill his dreams of having her and is afraid to commit, he can find many ways to make her feel as if he just does not have the time now.

Throwing a wrench in her plans to get wild and crazy for one summer, when her best friend who started all this, ups and marries a man she has only known for twenty-four hours in Vegas. What is even crazier is the man her best friend marries, is her fantasy man's older brother. Planning a wedding the demanding MIL insists on throwing so that the marriage can be celebrated by the entire family causes irritations to rise.

Mary Cate finds herself in a tug of war, of emotions, with the man of her dreams. Can one crazy fast planned wedding bring them together again or will Mary Cate decide she needs a man that can commit instead of finding ways to go around commitment?

Inserts from book:

"No this should top your bold scale. I want to make you cum while you stand there naked, looking out at the city lights. I want you to stand still while I let my hands roam over every inch of your body. I want to lick you like an ice cream cone and listen to you whimper until you scream my name in a full fledge orgasm."

He raised an eyebrow and smiled with those darn dimples. "Believe what you want Mary K but I was there sober."

"Mary Cate. You haven't called me Mary K since..."

"Since I played with your hair back in fifth grade, on the playground. I told you there was a bug in your hair but actually, I just wanted to stroke your hair. It was always so soft looking. If those kids hadn't come around I was going to try and kiss you."

The ride finally started going and we caught our wits about us. We each seem to take a long breath in and then I mentioned how beautiful the city looked. One more full ride around and then we stopped at the top. We sat there for a bit looking out then I realized John's fingers were now inside my panties and starting to work their way deeper.

"Just sit there and look beautiful. No one will have any idea. You're so wet and hot. Focus on the city lights while I make you cum."

Then I felt his finger slide in and out. I felt the slickness of my excitement increase. Then a second finger slid in and I felt his thumb brush across my clitoris. In a matter of seconds my walls pulsed around his fingers as my heavy breathing stopped and every part of my body was excited. I focused as long as I could on the city lights then I turned and bit into his shoulder trying not to scream.

Download sample to read up to 30% of my book or visit www.cjhawk.com for more information.

Chick Lit. Light Hearted Romance. When two young hearts experience their share of heartache, the last thing they want is to fall in love. Coming back home to take care of a parent with Alzheimer's is enough to make a man insane. Insane enough to fall for a woman that he can't take his mind off of. One that is only visiting his old hometown, that's just like Mayberry, to escape a past that hurt her. This relaxed laidback town can't slow the pace of their fast beating hearts.

Excerpts:

I knew the drill and heard of it happening to others, but never did I think it would happen to my street smart brain. If this is where romance and love led you, in the ditch, on a county road to a Podunk town in the middle of rancher land, then I did not need love or romance anymore.

I watched his eyes travel my body again as he complimented me and I kept my eyes focused on his incredible blue eyes. I was afraid if I let them wander anywhere else I would get caught red handed. His eyes felt like warm sunshine sliding up and down my existence. Which was silly because I didn’t think he was really that attracted to me, just perhaps being a man of inquisition.

“I’m sorry. To hear about your dad that is. Mrs. Walker mentioned you were a high priced property lawyer that came home to take care of your dad.” I felt a bit awkward. Maybe he had his own dilemma to deal with like I had mine. Maybe that was the explanation for the cattiness last night. Although Cindy was sure to take the time and explain to me this morning why she thought it was. The thought that Colton Charpel might be attracted to me as I am to him held a dangerous tone.

I resettled myself to make it appear as if I was sleeping and set my head just so I can watch out of the corner of one eye. Each rippling muscle sent a tingling sensation through my body. Each tanned muscle moved in conjunction with the next. It was like a symphony of muscles and I really needed to get a grip. He was a man like any other and I was a woman that just needed to get on track, not sidetracked by bulging muscles and a cute behind on a roof.

I watched his eyes slowly graze the length of my body and then when our eyes met he took a step closer and pushed my hair behind my ear. He touched me as if he had the right.

The tears stung the backs of my eyelids as I looked at a man I fell in love with. I knew he was in pain and I wanted to help. However, when he flinched at the touch of my arm reaching out to him I felt anger build within me. "I'm not settling for the special, Colton. I am in this to make it work out. I know you've got your hands full. I can only imagine what you're dealing with. I want to help, I want to share your pain and make it all go away. If all you need from me is a warm bed and naked body at night, then I'm completely ok with that. I know it has to make you feel better." I knew it had made me feel better.

Chick Lit. Adult Romance.

Some girls just can’t catch a break. One minute Samoa Moore’s life had reached a breaking point and she just had to get away from the life that was dragging her down. The next minute one very hot war hero cop has her slammed up against his police cruiser and she realizes her plan is not going accordingly. Her body’s reaction immediately betrays her attitude of do it alone from here on out.

Officer Matt Bourne is no stranger to women the likes of Samoa. But he can’t help but want to do the honorable thing and protect her. Her irresistible sex appeal is too much for his do right attitude. And Matt’s do right attitude makes Samoa realize that falling back on a man isn’t so weak after all.

With Samoa’s seedy past fast at her heels will she get the second chance she deserves all while falling in love with the man that saved her or will things fall apart once more?

Excerpts:

I watched his lips move and listened to the words he was saying, but when I looked back into his eyes and saw the anger deep within him, I decided to tread lightly.

He was definitely an attractive man that had a look that demanded authority. He was at least in his thirties with the way his eyes were lined with a few wrinkles that gave his eyes a mature look. His sandy blonde hair in a short military cut gave him that sergeant look and his steel blue eyes showed experience.

I had taken just mere seconds to examine him and realized I was up against a man that was not out to play games.

I felt the weight of his body against the back of mine and it felt incredible. I felt him pull away and I missed him. Just like that. I hated myself more now than I ever did. I had sworn the minute I ran from the strip club that I would never go back. Go back to my apartment that I shared with a bunch of whore girlfriends that worked with me. Never again would I convince a man to be his girlfriend by selling out my body. Never again, would any man hit me, touch me when I didn’t want to be touched and never again would I need a man.

I let my mind wander a bit as the hot water warmed every inch of my body. I let the stress of all I left behind swirl away from me in the water. I thought of what I wanted for a new life and Matt’s face quickly popped into my head. I smiled inwardly. He’s very attractive and had this no nonsense way about him. As if, he could take the weight of the world off my shoulders. I felt like I was basically hero worshiping him for rescuing me in a way, not that I needed rescuing. Well maybe I did. However, he took me in and offered me a safe place. I could not have asked for a better outcome to a difficult situation.

I walked towards the counter seductively. I knew how to work a man and I always enjoyed their restless reaction. I slowly unzipped his jacket I was wearing to reveal my low cut tank top. I slowly leaned in a little on his counter and smiled. “Well Mr. Copper, I can’t imagine someone lying to you.” I looked down at the counter and up into his steel blue eyes. I watched the muscles flex in his jaw as if he was a little perturbed by my notions all of a sudden.

He didn’t finish. He had the condom on and was leaning over me, with our bodies touching everywhere but where his arms were straight. He was a big man. I was a little woman. He entered me slowly and I arched my back and closed my eyes with pleasure. I felt my swollen clitoris rub against his groin and I was gone. The fire ripped through me quickly.

Some suburban moms just can't catch a break. There is humor in raising kids, guinea pigs, soccer moms and Nutella. Toss in two new roommates to make ends meet, crazy daily chaos and a desire to have the green grass she once had and you get a story about a mom that makes it all work out. A light, uplifting read, that any mom could easily relate to. Humor in all the right spots and just a touch of romance to give it all a happy ending.

This book is dedicated to all the moms in my life. We have laughed through the most diverse oddities and cried about the worst. We talk about our kids with hopes and wishes, and we complain about them like nobody's business. We are the most important people in our family's lives yet we are often the most underappreciated. This book is to you. May you remember that the grass IS NOT always greener on the other side.

Metaphorically speaking we as women are our own worse critics. We need these things so we can look in the mirror to say, 'ah, my grass is looking pretty green'. If it takes a box of hair color, a new outfit or to shed a few pounds to make the grass seem green then so be it. However, Maybelline Briggs isn't looking for the Holy Grail of Eternal Youth, just a way to get back on her feet through all the chaos.

Chick Lit with a light romance. Caribbean bound with her best friend until a sip of bad luck makes everything go foggy and dark. Next thing Katy Beck knows is that either her best friend is playing a bad joke or she just stole her husband, her money and her looks. To make things worse she just left her on the porch of an old run down shack in the middle of a mountain with only her beach bound attire.

Katy had a way of making the worse seem better and maybe a good guardian angel or two. As luck would have it, she was plopped right in the lap of one very hot war hero and famous journalist. But life isn’t always as easy as it seems and Katy wants to make sure she offers more back in her life then a set of DD’s and a pretty smile.

With every trick of the trade, Sabrina had left a trail of misery for Katy. However, that is nothing a good sense of humor and new good friends can’t take care of. Plus a little shiny thing called gold doesn’t hurt either.

Book Inserts:

I was beyond confused. My first thought was that maybe Haus had kidnapped my best friend and me, while holding us for ransom.

---

As if lightening had crackled in the air, Sabrina turned and looked at me in a very devilish grin and let out the most evil laughter. “I have waited, patiently mind you, for this very day. You, my dear, are out. I am in where I belong. Mathew was mine from the beginning but you stole him from me. Now I have him back. You will no longer be Mrs. Mathew Rhinholt. You are now just plain Katy Beck, or you can still go by Klarissa, if you choose.” The evil laughter left her lips again.

---

I froze with a plastered smile on my face as I watched the black Range Rover slowly back up next to me. Then in what seemed an even slower pace was watching the passenger window lower down. Who was driving the car was not what I expected. I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Maybe some dangerously looking, mountain man with a hidden knife to dice me up with next to his seat.

“Need a lift?” His voice was smooth and deep. His eyes hid behind very expensive sunglasses while his jaw was chiseled in a tense motion and his mouth was set in a straight line. He had one hand draped across the black leather steering wheel and another down by his side. ‘Serial murderers come in all shapes and sizes.’ My inner scared cat voice squeaked in my head. While the sexual part of me imagined what lied behind those sunglasses and underneath the pricey tee shirt he was wearing. As if he read my mind, he raised his glasses to his head and attempted a smile. “Mike Smith. I believe we are neighbors.”

----

My resolve melted quickly and I was kissing him back harder with my hands on his back holding him as close as I could and my tongue dipping deeply into ever space of his mouth. We both pulled away and breathed deep. I looked down out of fear of looking into his eyes. He breathed into the top of my head then spoke softly. “You’re not alone in this.”

----

"The thing is girl with what you’ve been through it’s time you put those fancy heels of yours away. It’s time to put your boots on girl." I watched her start to tear into the boxes. I was at a loss for words. She had a point. It was time for me to take charge of my life and worry about getting me settled and on track. It wasn’t time for me to dwell in a new romantic situation since I had just been dumped just days ago. After a moment or two passed I smiled watching Edna just buckle down and get to work.

Sidney Sampson had no idea that one fateful day while doing fieldwork and investigating a dead officer’s crime scene, her whole life would change. One man, who should be dead, flutters his eyelashes on her cheek. Sidney squirms needlessly to get off the dead cop’s body, from the recent bomb explosion that landed her there. What happens next is a total misunderstanding between them. The flutter of his lashes and the firm member of his anatomy told her that dead men don’t blink twice.

Once a simple life and career, following the footstep of her father who raised her alone, Sidney was more than ready for change. Her job as a police coroner was not her dream job, but it was where life led her while growing up without a mother. In fact, her whole life was in dire need of change. She wanted a better job, but had no idea what. She wanted fun female friends, but only ended up with dull boring friends. She wanted to find her feminine wiles along with a sex life, all she has gotten lately was a kiss on the forehead after a blind date, and a boring closet filled with durable work khakis and brown comfortable work loafers.

Life is about to change for Sidney. Could she learn how to be her own woman, finding more purpose in life without falling head over heels in love with a man who is so wrong for her in so many ways?

Excerpts:

My gut instinct was to run, but instead I started to stand up and tripped over the dead cop’s body. My entire body landed almost squarely on top of him. My face landed next to his with my cheek on his eyes. I felt a flutter of his lashes against my cheek.

I froze.

Holy shit I thought to myself. I just thought I felt the dead cop move. My mind was a tornado of possibilities while my mouth kept forming the words ‘oh my god’ in a slow whispering drawl right next to his left ear.

What happened next almost sent me through the roof but my body could not move. I felt frozen in time. I continued with deep slow breathing tossing in a ‘oh my God’ once in a while. As all this was happening, I wiggled my body a little and realized what I felt was a complete and utter misunderstanding between Detective Jason Black and me. He was hard and not in the sense that death had set in. He was rock hard in his privates, and his eyelashes kept batting at my cheek. I screamed out. “Stop!” Then he did.

“Oh my God. You’re not dead. Dead men don’t blink. Jesus! You’re not dead are you?” I felt his eyelashes blink up and down along my cheek twice. “Dead men don’t blink twice.” I screamed and backed off his body and fast as I could with an awkward motion right past his privates and an accidentally knock with my knee, and he let out a groan.

Oh shit. I just knocked the dead cop in the nuts. Only this would happen to me. It took a second groan to make me realize this was all real. From there I went into rescue mode and scrambled fast. It took me under a minute to grab my cell and my case and rush to the dead cop – but now alive cop's side.

Since her divorce, busy ER nurse, Carlie Thomas, has been only too happy to spend Christmas on duty. This year, however, she's decided to take a much-needed break. What she gets instead is an unexpected house guest, courtesy of her Uncle Rick.

Derek Pierce, a fireman with no family, needs some special care after being injured in a fire. As Christmas approaches, Carlie discovers that she has more in common with Derek than being alone. But Derek's wounds are more than just skin deep. Will they spend the holidays haunted by the ghosts of the past, or could this Christmas spark a new, beautiful friendship…or even something more?

Chick Lit. General Adult Romance

When trouble strikes, Kia is there. If disaster is dealt, Kia holds the cards. If catastrophe is calling, Kia will answer it. All a girl needs to cope with all of this is her three best friends and maybe a handsome hero who has been hired to replace the Sheriff.

Old Sheriff Cleat has had his fair share of bailing Kia out of trouble or coming to her rescue, but the last one has put him out of commission. There is a new Sheriff in town, and the local women are all a twitter. Kia gets her first run-in with the handsome new sheriff just after she runs her car into a hillside, while watching him jog without his shirt on. By the week's end, the new sheriff is beginning to think that Kia is either short for catastrophe, or she is trying to find ways to spend more time with him.

Kia's best friends have spent a lifetime of dealing with Kia and her God-given attraction to trouble, but they also know Kia needs a man like the sheriff to keep her in line and bail her out once in a while. While Kia hastily becomes short on patience with the handsome hero, she isn't short on need and quickly realizes that having a man like the sheriff on her side is not such a bad idea after all, but will they meet on the corner of Trouble and Catastrophe or will chaos keep them apart?

These two short stories will delight the lover of historical romance!

The Art of Seduction

Clara Cameron will do anything to escape her impending marriage to the odious Lord Desmond, even if it means posing nude for artist Brendon Evans, the man she once loved. It’s been years since they’ve seen each other, but Clara’s love for Brendon hasn’t diminished. Will Brendon recognize Clara and admit his feelings for the woman before Lord Desmond comes calling, claiming Clara for his own?

Meant For Me

For years Cynthia Shaw has replied to Gabriel Baston’s letters, pretending to be his fiancé, Cynthia’s wretched cousin Helen. When Gabriel appears at a masked ball and mistakes Cynthia for Helen, she can’t help herself and gives her innocence to the man she has loved for years. Will Lord Kennwick realize Cynthia was meant for him before it’s too late?

This anthology is approximately 30,000 words and is appropriate only for adults!

If you enjoy these short stories, you might also enjoy Lori’s other historical romances: Wild Heart, Wild Desire and A Night of Secrets.

To find out more about Lori, go to www.LoriBrighton.com