Here in Tacoma, Washington, we’re having a wet Christmas–par for the course, so I’m not complaining. Curling up in my favorite armchair with a good romance novel while the rain patters outside is my idea of the perfect winter’s evening. I’m taking a week-long break from writing projects while we visit family, so there’ll be lots of reading time. Huzzah!
Hubs and I are living in the quiet space between the departure of our own children and the arrival of grandchildren, so we’re enjoying a low-key, low-stress holiday–again, fine by me. Our time for a big Christmas blowout is coming. Until then, we’ll deck the mantelpiece. Christmas dinner, prime rib and all the fixings, will bring my family together at my sister’s house. Can’t wait to see everyone!
I’ve already received a marvelous Christmas gift: a third contract with The Wild Rose Press! Watch for Love, Art, and Other Obstacles, book three in the Book Nirvana Series, coming spring 2020.
I’m sure you’ll agree that books make marvelous gifts. While some readers prefer to keep things sweet and sugar-coated, I like a little spice (okay, a lot) in my love stories. Today’s guest author, Dee S. Knight, is here to tell us about her latest spicy romance, One Woman Only.
As one of a set of triplets, Jonah always feels the need to make his individuality known. So where his brother Daniel is serious and completely focused, Jonah shuns commitment. Where his genius brother Mark is hailed in the scientific world, Jonah hides beneath a car, tinkering. Thing is, being different isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It takes a woman—the right woman—to make him see that a “good man” can always be a better man.
Let’s peek under the hood.
Excerpt from One Woman Only:
“May I have this dance?”
Kelly turned at the sound of Jonah’s voice behind her. Dinner had ended. All three of the boys had given best man speeches and Eve had even given a very creditable matron of honor speech, considering she had only known Marilyn and Caleb a short time. Lots of toasts had been raised and finally the live band had struck up the music. Caleb led his bride onto the floor for a foxtrot—a dance more than half of the guests had no idea how to do, including her.
Facing Jonah she sighed inwardly at how scrumptious he looked. Sure, his face was pretty much displayed on his brothers’ heads, too, but there was something different about Jonah. His nose was just a little crooked from when Bobby Hendricks had broken it in ninth grade and his eyes held an especially bright sparkle when he smiled. Maybe… Well, she didn’t know what caused the difference between Jonah and his brothers. Whatever it was, she had never been fooled by the so-called identical nature of the identical triplets. She’d wanted to be his girl since elementary school. Thought she would be in high school. And then she’d forced every last thought of him from her mind from senior year on.
Until now.
“I don’t know how to foxtrot.”
He shrugged. “Who does except those over fifty?” He glanced at his folks, still alone on the dancefloor, although a few couples were wandering out to join them now. “We can pretend.”
She mentally compared standing on the sidelines alone now that Mama Rio left the party, or being held in Jonah’s arms. Smiling, Kelly held out her hands. “Just don’t step on my toes, Jonah Goodman, or there’ll be hell to pay.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Together they walked onto the dancefloor. He took her right hand in his left and placed his right hand on her waist. Fortunately for them, the music changed to a slow tempo. Kelly laid her head on Jonah’s shoulder, and he tugged her closer as they swayed to the music.
“This is nice,” he murmured.
“Yes it is,” she replied. So very nice. He smelled good. Beneath the light citrus fragrance of his aftershave was a slight whiff of pure man with maybe a twinge of motor oil or something so Jonah it brought tears to her eyes.
He rubbed a path up to her shoulder blades and gave a squeeze. “You fit me perfectly, Kelly.”
“I do?”
“You sure do. I think our hearts can feel each other beat.”
Kelly chuckled. “Smooth talker. Face to face like this our hearts are on opposite sides.”
“Hey! I’m trying to be romantic here.”
She sighed. “Keep on. It’s appreciated.”
“You smell…good.”
She felt his smile. Raising her head she gave him a mock glare. “Watch it with those pregnant pauses, buster.”
He used his hand to press her head back to his shoulder. “You do smell good, though. This isn’t the same perfume you wore in high school. That was—”
“Lilac,” they said at the same time. Once more she raised her head to look at him. “How did you remember that?”
“I remember much more than you might think.” He turned her and moved her closer to the door onto the patio. “Each spring when lilacs are in bloom memories come flooding back. Does that surprise you?”
“More like shocks me,” she said, grinning. And then she laid her head on his shoulder once more, finding she liked it more and more there in his arms. She stepped slightly closer and his arm tightened about her.
“Well, after a while I thought lilac seemed too girlish. I like the vintage scents, so in college I wore Wind Song. Then Shalimar was the scent Brad liked me to wear.” She felt Jonah stiffen when she mentioned her ex, and really she didn’t blame him. “But when I grew up enough finally to take charge of my own life, I started wearing Chanel No 5. A complex fragrance for what I hope is a complex woman.”
“It suits you. Complex and beautiful.” He kissed her temple. “Want to step outside for a minute?”
“Sure. It is a little warm in here.”
On the patio, they could hear the sounds of the people from the television networks packing up equipment, chatting and laughing. Stars shone brightly in the clear night sky. Wood smoke from someone’s fireplace wafted through the air and static electricity fairly crackled in the crispness of the autumn air.
“This is my favorite time of year,” Kelly said. “The heat of summer is gone and winter nights curled up with a hot drink and blazing fire are ahead.”
“Not me. I’m a summer boy all the way.”
“A hothead you mean?” she teased.
“Oh, I’m hot all right.” He waggled his brows at her. Kelly laughed.
“I do seem to remember that about you.”
“You used to be pretty hot yourself. Still are.” He leaned in. His eyes flicked down to her lips. Kelly sucked in a breath. She should stop him, she really should.
Get your copy of One Woman Only:
- Universal Link: mybook.to/OneWomanOnly
- Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2QGKPOo
- Free on KU: https://amzn.to/2QGKPOo
♥♥ GiveAway ♥♥
Dee is giving away an ebook of Only a Good Man Will Do and a $10 Amazon card to giveaway during the tour. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember you may enter every day for your chance to win. You may find the tour locations here http://bit.ly/OWO122019
Let’s meet the author.
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex. Writing was so much fun Dee decided to keep at it. That’s how she spends her days. Her nights? Well, she’s lucky that her dream man, childhood sweetheart, and long-time hubby are all the same guy, and nights are their secret. For romance ranging from sweet to historical, contemporary to paranormal and more join Dee on Nomad Authors. Contact Dee at dsknight@deesknight.com.
A few questions for Dee:
- What do you love about the genre you write in?
Erotic romance is so freeing! I can add all the romance I want, and also add the spice that I love. It’s not all about the sex—sex is a natural part of the romance and love that the characters end up sharing. And we all know that sex gains its meaning when the characters begin to feel something for each other. - Do you write in other genres?
As Anne Krist I write sweet(er) romance. My book Burning Bridges is about to be released and I have a series planned for Anne! - What’s your favorite part of the writing life?
This sounds weird maybe, but I like doing things by myself. I’m not a person who needs to be with others every day (except for my sweetie, or go out in the evenings to fun spots. After several days virtually by myself, I might start feeling cabin fever, but lunch out with hubby makes everything better. So the solitary job of writing suits me. - What do you do for fun when you’re not writing?
Reading (of course), watching HGTV or ID on TV, or experimenting in the kitchen. - What does your writing space look like?
Not cluttered…exactly. But definitely not neat and organized. I wonder what that says about my mind?? - Any advice for aspiring writers?
Writing is not easy so you really have to want to write. Just keep at it, learn how to improve with self-editing and listening to others who have succeeded, and keep at it. - Authors always seem to have a teetering To Be Read pile. What’s in yours?
A couple of books by Linda Castillo, Love in the Lowcountry (several writers), Big Game (Robin Barefield), a couple Robert Dugoni books, and two books by Kryssie Fortune. I have a lot to answer for over the holidays, lol! - I love all sorts of fiction and nonfiction, but I can’t abide a protagonist who keeps making dumb, self-destructive decisions. What makes you put down a book without finishing?
Actually, I hardly ever don’t finish a book. I did just send one back to KU after four chapters through because the male character was so smug and uncaring. There is a fine line between alpha hero and pushy a**hole, but the line is there, nonetheless. For heroines, if they are really too-stupid-to-live, it’s hard to read, especially when they just expect others to accept it. Grow up, little girl!
Connect with Dee S. Knight on social media:
Website: https://nomadauthors.com
Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6
Sadira, thank you so much for hosting me on my blog tour! I appreciate the chance to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to your readers!