Adriana Kraft

When it's time to heat things up...

Sale

“You look like you’re miles away…” #SnippetSunday #SnipSun #WeekendWritingWarriors #EroticRomance #LGBGTQ #Sale #99cents #MFRWAuthor

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Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday, the weekly hops for everyone who loves to write – and read!
Click on the graphics to travel to the other snippets.

                                        

EXCERPT

Picking up where we left off last Sunday from the opening scene, at their 20th college reunion:

Janet remembered how much Brenda used to admire her long legs and hid a smile. Janet was a good head and a half taller than her old roomie. They used to get kidded a lot about being a feminine Mutt and Jeff duo. She’d always blushed and resented that comment—did any of their friends know they’d experimented with each other sexually?

Janet swallowed hard. It hadn’t happened often—not often enough for Brenda. But…Janet raised her eyes from her drink to meet Brenda’s intense gaze.

“You look like you’re miles away, or maybe years in the past.” Brenda reached across the tiny round table to clutch Janet’s hand again. “Hey, it’s okay. Isn’t that part of what reunions are about?”

Janet shrugged, but didn’t withdraw her hand.

BLURB

Janet Baxter keeps her post-divorce life neatly compartmentalized: Secure job, spacious Westchester County home, successful adult children, dependable community volunteer activities. Why is she drawn—for the first time ever—to attend her twenty-year college reunion in New York City?

Always a free spirit, Brenda Cassidy is comfortably bisexual and has no plans to ever settle down. But a fling? The reappearance of svelte, reserved Janet Baxter in Brenda’s life is nothing less than a gift, worthy of every enticement Brenda can conjure up. Can Brenda seduce Janet into an endless night of the lovemaking they enjoyed too briefly as college roommates? What if the lady wants more?

BUY LINK

ON SALE NOW FOR 99¢

https://books2read.com/u/bzn6RL

REVIEW

Five Stars at Goodreads: “Building up the sexual tension between these two is the heart of this book. When they finally give in, I was right there with them. They are HOT! … a quick read but so well written I did not want it to end.”

 

Why had she decided to come? #SnippetSunday #SnipSun #WeekendWritingWarriors #EroticRomance #LGBGTQ #Sale #99cents #MFRWAuthor

by

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write – and read!
Click on the graphics to travel to the other snippets.

                                        

EXCERPT

Picking up where we left off last Sunday from the opening scene, at their 20th college reunion:

Brenda glanced around the dimly lit college town hangout. “It’s hard to believe this place has barely changed in nearly twenty years, and we’ve changed so much.”

Janet nodded, glad for the change of subject—they’d spent too much time talking about her since arriving at the Golden Eagle. Brenda had suggested leaving the campus reunion party and checking out their old hangout. Janet thought that sounded good—she didn’t want others from their former house to hear her troubles. Why had she decided to come to a reunion after so many years anyway? She and Tom had never gone back.

Maybe that was why she’d come—she knew Tom wouldn’t. The campus was only half an hour from her Westchester County home. Still, it wasn’t like her to act on such a whim.

BLURB

Janet Baxter keeps her post-divorce life neatly compartmentalized: Secure job, spacious Westchester County home, successful adult children, dependable community volunteer activities. Why is she drawn—for the first time ever—to attend her twenty-year college reunion in New York City?

Always a free spirit, Brenda Cassidy is comfortably bisexual and has no plans to ever settle down. But a fling? The reappearance of svelte, reserved Janet Baxter in Brenda’s life is nothing less than a gift, worthy of every enticement Brenda can conjure up. Can Brenda seduce Janet into an endless night of the lovemaking they enjoyed too briefly as college roommates? What if the lady wants more?

BUY LINK

ON SALE NOW FOR 99¢

https://books2read.com/u/bzn6RL

REVIEW

Five Stars at Goodreads: “Building up the sexual tension between these two is the heart of this book. When they finally give in, I was right there with them. They are HOT! … a quick read but so well written I did not want it to end.”

 

What more could a girl ask for? #SnippetSunday #SnipSun #EroticRomance #LGBGTQ #Sale #99¢ #MFRWAuthor

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Welcome to Snippet Sunday – ten (or so) sentences from all your favorite romance authors! You’ll find them all at this Facebook Group every Sunday:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SnippetSunday/

EXCERPT

Picking up where we left off last Sunday from the opening scene, at their 20th college reunion:

“How could I forget that year?” Brenda arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t want you to move out, but he had you smothered with love—you weren’t about to listen to me.”

Janet pulled her hand away a second time. “I loved Tom. He loved me. We just weren’t ready to get married.”

“Getting pregnant changed that.” Brenda settled her hands in her own lap.

Janet nodded. She’d been so diligent about taking her pill each morning. Only years later, after a night of carousing, had Tom confessed that he’d switched her pills with look-alike fakes for four months before she announced her pregnancy. He’d wanted her to drop out of college entirely.

Thankfully, looking back, her parents had blocked that move by providing them with additional financial support and help with baby Thomas, when he arrived. Janet graduated cum laude with a diploma, a husband, and a baby. What more could a girl ask for?

BLURB

Janet Baxter keeps her post-divorce life neatly compartmentalized: Secure job, spacious Westchester County home, successful adult children, dependable community volunteer activities. Why is she drawn—for the first time ever—to attend her twenty-year college reunion in New York City?

Always a free spirit, Brenda Cassidy is comfortably bisexual and has no plans to ever settle down. But a fling? The reappearance of svelte, reserved Janet Baxter in Brenda’s life is nothing less than a gift, worthy of every enticement Brenda can conjure up. Can Brenda seduce Janet into an endless night of the lovemaking they enjoyed too briefly as college roommates? What if the lady wants more?

BUY LINK

ON SALE NOW FOR 99¢

https://books2read.com/u/bzn6RL

REVIEW

Five Stars at Goodreads: “Building up the sexual tension between these two is the heart of this book. When they finally give in, I was right there with them. They are HOT! … a quick read but so well written I did not want it to end.”

ONE DAY SALE – 260 BOOKS – SEPTEMBER 4 ONLY

https://bit.ly/queeryourbookshelf

“And he dumped you?” #SnippetSunday #SnipSun #EroticRomance #LGBGTQ #Sale #99¢ #MFRWAuthor

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Welcome to Snippet Sunday – ten (or so) sentences from all your favorite romance authors! You’ll find them all at this Facebook Group every Sunday:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SnippetSunday/

EXCERPT

At their 20th college reunion, Janet and Brenda have skipped out to their former favorite hangout, a bar with a band.

Chapter One

“That bastard,” Brenda Cassidy hissed, clutching Janet Baxter’s hand. “I always thought you were too good for Tom Baxter. He was an arrogant prick even when we were in college.”

Janet managed a thin smile, but carefully withdrew her hand from her former roommate’s grasp. She’d certainly called her ex-husband worse names after the events of the last several months, but it was good to hear those words from someone she hadn’t seen or even talked to for years.

“And he dumped you?” Brenda clasped Janet’s hand again, as if to add comfort to her words. “After twenty-one years and two kids.”

Janet shrugged. “Twenty-two years, if you count our junior year when we lived together.”

“Right. How could I forget that year?”

BLURB

Janet Baxter keeps her post-divorce life neatly compartmentalized: Secure job, spacious Westchester County home, successful adult children, dependable community volunteer activities. Why is she drawn—for the first time ever—to attend her twenty-year college reunion in New York City?

Always a free spirit, Brenda Cassidy is comfortably bisexual and has no plans to ever settle down. But a fling? The reappearance of svelte, reserved Janet Baxter in Brenda’s life is nothing less than a gift, worthy of every enticement Brenda can conjure up. Can Brenda seduce Janet into an endless night of the lovemaking they enjoyed too briefly as college roommates? What if the lady wants more?

BUY LINK

ON SALE NOW FOR 99¢

https://books2read.com/u/bzn6RL

REVIEW

Five Stars at Goodreads: “Building up the sexual tension between these two is the heart of this book. When they finally give in, I was right there with them. They are HOT! … a quick read but so well written I did not want it to end.”

“I don’t dream small.” #MFRWHooks #RomanticSuspense #SportsRomance #Sale #99¢

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Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more. Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!

This week I’m sharing from one of our steamy romantic suspense novels set in the world of thoroughbred racing. All four of them are on sale from now through mid-June to celebrate the race for the Triple Crown. Here’s a favorite snippet from Willow Smoke, Book Three in our Riders Up series.

BLURB

When the chips are down, there’s nobody there.

Apprentice horse trainer Daisy Matthews grew up on the streets of Chicago, and if she learned anything, it was that she could count on no one to help her, ever. She knows she has to tough it out, protect herself, and when necessary, protect anyone she cares about. All by herself. No one else will do it for her.

Wealthy businessman Nick Underwood receives a thoroughbred in payment for a bad debt and is thrust into Daisy’s world.  She teaches him about horse racing; he teaches her about love.  When Daisy’s seamy brother-in-law threatens Nick’s safety, she doggedly tries to stop him by herself, but flees to the familiar streets when he attacks. Can Nick find her in time – and if he does, will she still want him?

EXCERPT

Set Up: Though Nick intended to sell the horse, he changed his mind and hired its intriguing trainer, paying her up front by making her half owner. He’s just phoned her to work out more of the details:

“I’m going to have a messenger bring by Blaze’s papers for you to sign,” Nick continued. “The sooner we get the paperwork completed, the quicker she can race again.”

“You know where I live?”

“It doesn’t take a private investigator to determine that. Most of your personal information has to go on the ownership papers. As well as your Assistant Trainers License. Right?”

“Right. I didn’t think about that.”

“Besides, I make a point of knowing everything I can about my employees and partners.”

“I’m not your employee, Mr. Underwood.” She knew she must sound harsh, but she couldn’t help it. Sometimes the man really galled her. Like right now. “We may be partners by some strange circumstance, but I work for Sam Gallagher.”

“Whoa there, kid. The lady has a temper. I like that. Shows fire and will.” He paused. “I’ll have to think on that. You may be right. You may complicate my life yet.”

Daisy frowned. “Well, you sure as hell have complicated mine.”

“Yeah, but aren’t they nice complications? A week ago you didn’t even know I existed. You didn’t own a racehorse. And you were probably planning to waste time you could spend educating me playing around with some college guy.”

Brushing hair off her brow, Daisy chewed on her lip. She wasn’t experienced at this kind of repartee. She only knew how to tell guys no, not how to give them a let’s-wait-and-see signal.

“Cat got your tongue, kid? Am I really going to complicate your life that much?”

He sounded far too pleased with himself. “I don’t know. Depends on how much time you require, I suppose. I not only have my job—I do have to study, too.”

“Will I be imposing on your social life? Do you have a steady man in your life?”

“Not hardly. Well, I mean,” she stammered, “not one.”

“Still playing the field, huh? Well, I shouldn’t get in the way too much, then. If you’re a good teacher, this may not require a lot of time.”

“You mean if you’re a good student, don’t you?”

“Now, that’s more like the woman I remember with straw in her hair. Do you realize that you are drop dead gorgeous with a half dozen pieces of straw sticking out of your hair? The guys must be lined up around your block with their tongues hanging out. I’m sure they won’t like my intruding on their time, but I won’t let that deter me. Are you still there?”

“I’m here.” Daisy tried to keep her voice steady while her heart raced wildly.

“Maybe you’ll just have to put some of the guys on ice for a while. I can be quite demanding, and I make no apologies for that. There never is enough time to do everything I want to do. But this horse thing is now at the top of my to-do list. And that includes you. Remember, you’ve been paid in advance.”

“I remember. Owning a part of Rainbow Blaze far exceeds any of my dreams.”

“Listen kid, if you hang around me much you’ll have to get used to expanding your dreams. I don’t dream small. It doesn’t take any more time to dream big than small.”

BUY LINK

On Sale now through mid-June for just #99¢

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0DH13I/

BOOK INFO

Title: Willow Smoke (Riders Up, Book Three)
Can be read as a standalone
September 1, 2014, B&B Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9907476-0-4
ASIN: B00N0DH13I
PRINT ISBN: 978-0-9907476-6-6
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Sports Romance
Tags: Horse Racing, Age Gap
Heat rating: three flames (explicit sex, m/f)

Click on the links to travel to the rest of today’s hooks:

Triple Crown Fever! Steamy Romantic Suspense #Sale #ThoroughbredRacing #Fiction

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 TIME FOR SOME TRIPLE CROWN FEVER

 

In just four more days, twenty top thoroughbred three year olds will load into the post and race in the Kentucky Derby for the first crown.

I’ve been to the Kentucky Derby in person twice – it turns out I don’t like mint juleps very much, but I do love the hats! My former roommate and longtime best friend is a southern Indiana gal whose family always had tickets and kept an attic full of hats for visitors to borrow in season. No sense turning down that invitation!

I was a horse-crazy kid, and as fate would have it, so was my husband, who was with me at those Derbys and once also at the Belmont Stakes. When we first lived out west, we had a friend who owned and trained horses that ran at Wyoming Downs and sometimes at Los Alamitos in California. A small financial windfall empowered us to follow a dream – Hubs and the friend attended Barrett’s sale in California and came home with two 3-year-old thoroughbred fillies.

One of them never raced but proved an excellent brood mare whose offspring won races:

 

The second filly ran successfully at Wyoming Downs, then also ran at Los Alamitos and won her first race there:

 

There’s lots more to our horse story, and I’ll be posting more during the Triple Crown races.

In the meantime, we poured our love of horses and the experience gleaned from our foray into horse racing into a four-book steamy romantic suspense series set in the world of thoroughbred horse racing.

To celebrate the upcoming Triple Crown, all four books are on sale for just 99¢ from now through the Belmont Stakes in mid-June. Though they are a series, each book can be read as a standalone.

Book One: Cassie’s Hope

High stakes, a fiery Irish redhead, her stunning racehorse, and a fiercely loyal rancher

Five stars at Goodreads An emotional roller-coaster, with twists and turns you never see coming! …I feel I know them, I took their journey with them. I felt their pain, their sadness, their struggles, and most of all their love. And that is the mark of a truly good book. Faith

BUY LINK https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GDWTUGY
LINK TO BLURB AND EXCERPT https://adrianakraft.com/books/cassies_hope/

Book Two: Heat Wave

Hang onto the land – but at what cost? Feisty widow hires ace racehorse trainer to salvage her family’s heritage. Can they survive escalating threats to life and limb?

Five stars at Amazon: Adriana Kraft made me a believer in this beautiful tale. I loved that no matter how many times she was told she would fail, Maggie never backed down. Melena

BUY LINK https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZ6GW6G
LINK TO BLURB AND EXCERPT https://adrianakraft.com/books/heat-wave/ 

Book Three: Willow Smoke

When the chips are down, there’s nobody there. Willowy blonde Daisy Matthews has survived the Chicago streets with this mantra – is she ready for a May/September romance?

Five stars at Amazon “Adriana Kraft has created memorable characters that linger long after the story has ended and I’ve closed the book. She has done what an author should—brought me into the book’s world and made me care about the characters so that my world will not be the same.” Sheila G.

BUY LINK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0DH13I
LINK TO BLURB AND EXCERPT https://adrianakraft.com/books/willow-smoke-2/ 

Book Four: Detour Ahead

Threatened race horses, city slicker attorney, sexy California wrangler—what can possibly go wrong?

Five stars at Amazon: TopPick This is a story about letting go of your past so you can move on to your future, letting go of being the victim and becoming a survivor…Add into this touching story of recovery a mystery that will keep you guessing to the very end, and you’ve got a story you won’t be able to put down. Angi, Night Owl Reviews

BUY LINK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RPT6YJA/
LINK TO BLURB AND EXCERPT https://adrianakraft.com/books/detour-ahead/