Okay…I’m cheating this week, as its very late and grabbing a book ‘not’ my own would require walking upstairs and that’s just too much trouble at the moment!

My 56 this week is from The Lawman, book 1 in my historical western series.

Once inside the house, Morgan wasn’t sure what to do. Well, he knew what he wanted to do. Flip up Abigail’s skirts and take her right there on the parlor room floor. He wasn’t sure she’d appreciate it, though.

He shut the door, looked out the front window for something to do and waited to see what she had in mind. When she said his name, he turned to look at her.

The small flowers woven through her hair were wilting, the petals coming loose to lie in a crumbling wave of confetti in her hair. A few blonde curls had escaped the pins and dangled near her face. She looked softer, somehow, in the dim lit room. The lacy dress she wore was a pale blue, buttoned to the neck. She looked as innocent as a virgin. And she was all his. ‘Til the day he died.

About the Friday 56

• Grab the book nearest you. Right now
• Turn to page 56.
• Find the fifth sentence.
• Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
• Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
• Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Now its your turn! Grab a book and post your 56. If you don’t have a blog, just post yours in the comments.

(I saw the Friday 56 over at Shiloh Walker’s blog. Be sure to visit and read her 56.)

6. Wicked: Leather and Lace – Contemporary Romance

“Luke! We’re in the back of a limo.”

“So,” he said, pulling the material forcefully. “No one can see us and Bobby is paid to drive. He’ll do so until I tell him otherwise.”

Before Roxy could protest further, her panties were tossed to the floor, her skirt pushed up over her hips, and Luke had her bottom pulled to the edge of the seat.

Her first thought was, what would Holly say? Thoughts of her friend didn’t last long, though. Not when Luke suddenly spread her legs wide, bent at the waist, and dropped his head to the heat between her legs.

7. Wicked: Jade Butterfly – Contemporary Romance

“They’re just words, Christian,” she said. “Read me the card. I promise not to bite.”

Something in her eyes told him she wanted him to read the card. She was watching him too intently. Eager anticipation shined in her eyes and he knew in that moment, he’d do anything the girl wanted no matter what the outcome.

Swallowing the nerves choking him, he glanced at the card and lifted his gaze to her face. “Fuck me if I’m wrong, but don’t you want to kiss me?”

8. Wicked: Sweet Temptation – Contemporary Romance

“Put me down and stop calling me Tinker Bell. I told you it was degrading.”

“No its not. It suits you perfectly. You’re small enough to fit into my pocket but at the moment, I’d rather you be down the front of my pants.”

She glanced down and raised one eyebrow at him. “You aren’t wearing any pants.”

“Then you’ll have no problem filling that pretty mouth of yours with my dick.”

9. The Calling – Paranormal Romance

“Is it because it’s been so long or was sex always that good before?”

He chuckled and wrapped his arms tighter around her. “It was always that good for me.” He kissed her cheek again, his lips brushing the side of her face before he paused. “Wait? Wasn’t it always that good for you?”

She leaned up and smiled at him. “I don’t know,” she said. “It’s been way too long for me to remember correctly. I may need more of a comparison. I can’t base all sex on one act.”

“The night is young,” he said, “And lucky for you, I have the stamina of five men.”

“Just five?” She squealed when he flipped her onto her back, his hips fitting between her parted thighs.

I’ve been a fan of fantasy romance for some time and although finding those books that really stick with you is rare, when you do find them, they always leave a lasting impression. Today’s rec is one of those.

Author: Elizabeth Vaughn
Title: Warprize (Warlands #1)

Blurb:

The daughter of a Warrior King, Lara was trained as a healer, helping both friend and foe. And when the enemy warlord agrees to cease hostilities in exchange for Lara, she agrees to become the Warprize.

Buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Warprize-Chronicles-Warlands-Book-1/dp/0425240541/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330415964&sr=8-1

Warprize is book 1 in this trilogy featuring Lara and her Warlord hero, Keir – (who is one of the yummiest heroes I’ve ever read! LOVED him!) Given to the Warlord in exchange to end the fierce battle against their lands, Lara’s brother (the new king) gives the Warlord her hand…but hatred for his sister twists his words and Lara thinks she’s a slave, given in exchange for peace.


The cultural differences between Lara and the warlords people is great but Lara learns their language in small increments. Trained as a healer, she’s of great value to the warlords people but their customs are very different from her own. She has to adapt to their way of thinking and doing things and as hard as she tries, she missteps every other time she tries.


I loved the characters in this book and there are many. The secondary characters are just as bright and interesting as the main characters are and the detail in the world-building is phenomenal. The way the Warlord’s people are described, I pictured native american Indians as they were a tent living people who roamed the open plains, living where the land was most fertile.


My only complaint about the book is the first person narrative, from Lara’s point of view. Call me greedy but I enjoy getting inside the heroes head and I wasn’t able to in this case but that doesn’t mean the book suffers for it. It doesn’t. You still get a very good sense of who Keir is through Lara’s eyes.


The first book is followed by Warsworn, as they travel from Lara’s homeland to Keir’s and the trials encountered on their journey. The last book, Warlord, takes place in Keir’s country and the Warprize (Lara) is presented before the elders of his people.


If you enjoy fantasy romance without the mystical creatures and foreign landscapes, you’ll love this. You can read excerpts of each book on Ms. Vaughn’s website.


Excerpts For Warprize, Warsworn and Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughn.

I’m still editing. I can’t believe it’s taking me this long and for once, it’s not me procrastinating. If anyone reads my Facebook page, you’ll know I suffer from headaches more often than not. This week was no exception, only this time, that nagging headache turned into a full blown migraine that laid me out for two days.

I always ‘listen’ to my stories when I edit and after printing THE OUTLAW out, plugging in my headphones and turning on the read aloud feature, my ever present headache got worse. I ignored it as usual but 2 hours in and I couldn’t ignore it any longer. The light was hurting my eyes and I was shielding my face from the desk lamp. I had to stop at that point. It was useless to try and go one. That was two days ago and I’ve yet to get back to the story and listen to the last half.

After crawling out of the bed and taking enough meds to enable me to ‘see’ again, I was able to get some blog posts done and get cracking on scheduling some blog tour dates. My first ever ‘Blog Tour’ will be kicked off on release day, March 12th! I’m a bit excited, and nervous, and all those other crazy emotions one gets when they jump out of their comfort zone but I know it’ll be a lot of fun. It will be a short tour but lots of goodies will be on hand and I have some new book swag to go with The Outlaw and I can’t wait to show everyone! You’re going to love it.

Other than editing and making blog posts, my muse has been whispering. I left my Gambler up to his elbows in bath water. Not that he’s complaining, seeing how his heroine was in said bath but I’m eager to get back to them. Hoping to do that next week, once the edits are finished and everything is all tidy and ready to go. I’ll be up most of the night working as the headache is only a dull twinge at this point and…I’ve slept pretty much for two days so I’m not the least bit sleepy. Keep your fingers crossed the head pounding doesn’t return. We only have 19 more days until Release day and if I don’t get finished, you can’t get your hands on this book and that, my friends, will be a tragedy! *wink*

Until next time,
Lily