Introduction
Once upon a time in the land of Happily Ever Afters, six Indie romance writers formed a bond over snarky sassy heroines and the oh so sexy men who love them. We all met in the fabulous group, the Writer’s Guide to Epublishing Street Team. Over the years we’ve all gotten to know each other online, supported, and learned from each other. And now, we’ve banded together to bring our readers a super sexy bundle of Sugar and Sin with fun, strong heroines and the men who fall for them.
We hope you enjoy the book and meet some characters you won’t soon forget. If you like this bundle please let us know either by reviewing it or telling us at www.sugarandsinbooks.com
We hope you enjoy these selections:
Chasin’ Mason by Stacey Joy Netzel
Chasin' Mason: Catch the stallion ~ win the ranch. A simple competition between bitter enemies, but once tempers and passions flare in the Texas heat, all bets are off.
Deadly Addiction by Kristine Cayne
A violent clash of cultures tests the forbidden love between a Native American man and a white female cop.
When police sergeant Alyssa Morgan and Rémi Whitedeer meet, their forbidden attraction flips both their lives ass over teakettle, but they aren't the only ones in turmoil. After the duo uncovers a drug-fueled conspiracy on the Blackriver Reservation, blood is pitted against blood, and Rémi has everything to lose.
His Lady Godiva by L.C. Giroux
Dr. Michael Dennison put broken bodies back together so no one would have to live like he did. As many obstacles as he had overcome, he never wanted to burden a woman with his disability. He was safer never to risk his heart. Violet Bellows lived a guarded life. The accident had taken so much from her but she still had something to give. For her surgeon she would risk everything to make him hers, body and soul.
Love by Design by Liz Matis
In this Sex in the City meets HGTV romp sparks fly on camera as interior designer Victoria Bryce breaks in temporary co-host Aussie Russ Rowland. Arguments over design plans and measurement mishaps ignite passions behind the scenes.
But when the past collides with the present will the foundation they built withstand the final reveal?
Run Rosie Run by C.C. Mackenzie
Think Easy Virtue meets No Reservations
…She’d wasted enough of her life madly in love with a man she could never have…Perhaps it was time to give another man a chance... But now Rosie has two men who want her and will stop at nothing to win her heart…Which one will she choose...
Sexy in Stilettos by Nana Malone
Organized, event planner, Jaya Trudeaux is used to doing things by the book and never making waves. The only thing that can tie carefree, playboy, Alec Danthers down is a promise he made to his mother. Can Jaya put the lists down long enough to enjoy the ride?
About the Authors
Stacey Joy Netzel
I fell in love with books at a young age, so for me it seemed only natural to graduate to writing them...when I'm not at my desk for the day job as a corporate travel agent. I credit my parents for encouraging my dreams of becoming a published author, as well as the very talented friends I've made in Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Wisconsin Romance Writers (WisRWA).
An avid reader and fan of movies with happy endings, I live in Wisconsin with my husband and three children, a couple horses and some barn cats. In my limited free time I enjoy gardening and canning, and visiting my parents up north at the cabin on the lake with the whole family.
Follow me online:
~~~
Website and Blog: http://www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/StaceyJoyNetzel
Twitter: http://twitter.com/StaceyJoyNetzel
Kristine Cayne
Kristine Cayne is fascinated by the mysteries of human psychology—twisted secrets, deep-seated beliefs, out-of-control desires. Add in high-stakes scenarios and real-world villains, and you have a story worth writing, and reading.
Kristine’s heroes and heroines are pitted against each other by their radically opposing life experiences. By overcoming their differences and finding common ground, they triumph over their enemies and find true happiness in each other’s arms.
Today she lives in the Pacific Northwest, thriving on the mix of cultures, languages, religions and ideologies. When she’s not writing, she’s people-watching, imagining entire life stories, and inventing all sorts of danger for the unsuspecting heroes and heroines who cross her path.
website: http://www.kristinecayne.com
blog: http://kristinecayne.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kristinecayneauthor
L.C. Giroux
It started in high school, I wrote a serial romance novel in a black and white composition book one chapter at a time. As each chapter got finished the book would get passed around to all my friends. They loved it and couldn't get enough. Except one of them left it behind after class one day and the only name on it was mine. I ended up in the Vice-principal's office trying to explain that it was fiction. In his defense, it was written as a journal. He couldn't believe I could know that much about sex and relationships if I hadn't done any of that. I told him he needed to watch more TV.
After years of stumbling around in more jobs than any other two people I know, I'm back to writing and loving it! I recently quit my day job to write full-time. Scary! Thrilling!! I am more difficult to work for than my old boss. Who knew?
I write for women looking to inject some contemporary romance into their busy lives. To that end my work tends to clock in at about 40-50 thousand words or about 200+ pages. Short enough that you can read it in between everything else you do but long enough that I can develop the characters a little.
I am thrilled to get to hang out with the Sugar and Sin ladies!
You can reach me online at:
My website: www.lcgiroux.com
Facebook: LcGiroux
Tumblr: lcgiroux.tumblr.com
Liz Matis
Liz Matis is a mild manner accountant by day and writes fun, flirty, fiery romances by night. Both Playing For Keeps and Going For It, her popular football romances, hit the #1 spot on the Kindle Best Seller list in Sports Fiction. Playing For Keeps hit #26 overall in the Kindle store and #12 overall in the Nook Store. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching sports, and attending Zumba classes. She’s been married for 28 years and believes in happy ever after.
Fun Fact: Liz read her first romance at the age of fifteen and soon after wrote her first romances starring her friends and their latest crush!
Keep in touch with Liz Matis at:
Blog: http://www.taoofliz.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LizMatis-Fan-Page/308197599253896?ref=hl
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LizMatis
C.C. Mackenzie
CC MACKENZIE writes contemporary and paranormal romances. She’s the author of the best selling Ludlow Hall Series. Her books have garnered over 1,000 5* reader reviews world wide with readers clamouring for more. Book one 'Reckless Nights in Rome' has been nominated in 'The Indie Romance Convention Readers Choice Award for 2013'. Book two 'A Stormy Spring', Book three 'Run Rosie Run' and book four 'The Trouble With Coco Monroe' are out now. In 2013 her stand-alone Adventure Romance 'Desert Orchid' is due for release. Her paranormal series of short novels 'The Vampyre Legal Chronicles' are available now. Book one 'Big Trouble In China' has been listed in the 'best paranormal by a new author' on Goodreads. And Book two 'Dirty Little Secrets' is out now. Book three 'Gia’s Song' is coming in 2013.
A born storyteller, she creates a fast paced blend of humour, poignancy and a deep sensual warmth that speaks directly to her readers. The eldest of two children, Christine lives in South Cheshire, United Kingdom. She has two daughters and one son.
Visit her:
Web / Blog: http://ccmackenzie.com/
Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/CCMzie
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ccmackenzie1
Nana Malone
Nana’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she borrowed from her cousin on a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana at a precocious thirteen. She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.
Waiting for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, Nana, meantime works out her drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is. Though, until that ninja job comes through, you’ll find her acting out scenes for hubby and puppy while catching up on her favorite reality television shows in sunny San Diego.
To learn more about Nana and her books,
visit www.nanamalone.com,
follow her on http://www.twitter.com/nanamalone,
or chat with her on Facebook,.
CHASIN’ MASON
by
Stacey Joy Netzel
Copyright 2012 Stacey Joy Netzel
2nd edition
(previous publication: The Wild Rose Press 2009)
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Website and Blog: http://www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com
Editor: Stacy D. Holmes
Cover art: Kim Killion, Hot Damn Designs
When his father announced his engagement to a gold-digger with a lying, scheming fourteen-year old daughter, seventeen-year old Tripp Warner left Warner Ridge Ranch and never looked back. Until the day he got the phone call that his father had died unexpectedly.
Reggie Reed lives with her guilt every day but can't quite work up the courage to track down the son of the man who raised her as his own. When Tripp shows up at his father’s funeral eleven years later--and a hell of a man to be reckoned with--he has no interest in her too-late apology. Worse, they’ve inherited half shares of the family ranch—but only if they work together to catch Mason’s Gold, the stallion a young Reggie let escape and made sure Tripp took the blame for.
Tripp proposes a secret competition to the beautiful witch who stole his life: whoever catches the stallion first gets the ranch all to themselves. It sounds simple, but once they’re out on the range, tempers and passions flare in the Texas heat and nothing goes as either of them expects.
Dedication:
First and foremost, I have to say thanks to the Milwaukee, WI based country music band, Chasin' Mason. Their name alone inspired this book. For the purposes of my story, all I had to do was figure out who Mason was, and why was someone chasin' him?
In addition, this book is dedicated to my family; immediate and extended. I love each and every one of you!
Wayne, the love and support you give to me in raising our family and in my writing career means the world to me. I couldn't do any of it without you, and I wouldn't want to.
To my children: you are each special in your own unique way and I want you to know that as long as you have the courage to dream, you can do anything you set your hearts to. I thank God every day for each of you.
Mom and Dad, your love and belief in me has never wavered. I couldn't ask for more, and though it doesn't seem adequate to express my appreciation and love, I would like to say thank you.
To everyone else in my wonderful circle of family and friends who has encouraged me in my writing, expressed their support with well-wishes, hugs, smiles and excitement, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Chapter 1
Reggie Reed pressed her face to the soft nose of her chestnut Quarab gelding, Prince, and fought unsuccessfully for the frozen control she'd clung to over the past week. Moisture scalded her cheeks, and even within the shadowed barn, breathing was difficult in the stifling July heat.
“Don't you cry for me,” Judd commanded. “Wipe those tears and stand tall, Reggie, darlin'. You're stronger than that.”
But she wasn't. She may have managed to convince the only father she'd ever known, and everyone else these past eleven years, but deep down she knew she was a spineless coward. Now, with Judson Henry Warner gone, she feared she wouldn't have the strength to keep up the facade.
She fisted her hand against her mouth. Never in a million years had she expected to lose him so soon. He was supposed to be there to give his blessing when she met that someone special. He'd promised to walk her down the aisle and give her away. Be there when her first baby was born to bounce the little tyke on his knee.
A ragged sob escaped, shaking her shoulders.
“Miz Reggie?”
Ernesto's gruff voice from behind made her stiffen with alarm. No one could see her like this—especially Ernesto, who judged character as harshly as the unforgiving Texas range. Judd's best friend since childhood, he'd been the hardest to convince here at Warner Ridge Ranch. Most days she doubted she had, even though he always treated her with a distant, grudging respect. Now that she'd be running the business alone, she couldn't let him see her vulnerable underbelly.
Keeping her back to him, she shook her head mutely and held up a hand to keep him at a safe distance.
He shuffled closer anyway. “But, Miz Reggie, I—”
“Not now, Ernesto,” she snapped in desperation. “The funeral's over, get back to work.”
Dead silence settled in the barn like dust caught in the sun's rays. Reggie squeezed her eyes tight and fisted a hand in Prince's mane, shamed at how cold-hearted her words sounded. Today of all days, Ernesto was a friend first, employee second; she had no right speaking to him with such insensitivity.
Sensing the tension in her touch, the gelding shifted uneasily, rustling the straw beneath his hooves. Even knowing she should turn around and apologize to Ernesto, she couldn't force her muscles to cooperate.
“Ma'am.” Ernesto moved away, his footsteps fading to nothing.
Fresh tears threatened to join the others still wetting her face. How in the world could she return to the house and face him, or Grandma Rosie, or the rest of the family who'd stayed for the luncheon after the burial? If she looked half as awful as she felt, everyone would know she'd broken down. She hadn't cried since she realized tears were not a tool for manipulation, but a weakness. Now they'd all see she wasn't as strong as she pretended.
“Well, well, well. Seems the princess became a queen.”
The sardonic drawl from the barn entrance sent Reggie's heart ricocheting off her ribs in wild panic. Adrenaline swept through her, leaving her light-headed. Eleven years had passed since she'd last heard that voice, and though it had deepened considerably in adulthood, she recognized it instantly. How could she not when the person behind it haunted her guilty conscience every day.
“Hell will freeze over before I step foot on this ranch again!”
The hate-filled vow of seventeen-year-old Tripp Warner sounded in Reggie's mind like it’d been shouted only yesterday. Fourteen years old at the time, she'd smiled with malicious satisfaction when he walked away without looking ba
ck. He'd kept his word until today. Maybe Hell had frozen over—because despite the above ninety temps, she suddenly felt chilled to the bone.
Reggie swallowed hard as guilt threatened to overwhelm her. She'd wondered if he'd show up for the funeral, but the blustering coward inside had resolutely ignored the possibility and left her completely unprepared to face him.
The prickle along the back of her neck from his stare told her she didn't have a choice now. She dashed the remaining moisture from her lashes and drew in a shaky breath before willing herself to turn around.
Another jolt rocked her senses.
No longer the lanky boy she remembered, the man Tripp Warner had become stood before her, larger than life, lounging against the doorway with one shoulder, his hands in his pockets. A white dress shirt stretched across his broad chest , contrasting with a black tie and tailored slacks that hugged lean hips.
The sun at his back glinted off dark blond hair as it cast his face in shadow, but his words and the chilling animosity in his voice left no doubt as to the hate she would find there.
Breathe.
She forced a tight smile to her uncooperative lips. “Hello, Tripp.”
“Regan.”
The sound of her name off his tongue raised the hair on her arms. His deep voice had a rough, sensual edge that sent a flutter through her stomach. She sucked in a breath while thrusting the disturbing sensations aside. Nerves, that's all.
With a last fortifying caress of her palm down his velvety nose, she stepped away from Prince's comforting presence and eased toward the barn door in hopes of heading back to the house. Her step faltered when Tripp's intense gaze locked with hers. She’d forgotten the shocking blue of his intense eyes.
Sugar and Sin Bundle Page 1