Week after week he longs to touch and kiss her, but holds back until he can’t wait one more moment.
Elodie’s must have HEA
Elodie Parkes
Romance Author |
Elodie Parkes
Romance Author |
Copyright Elodie Parkes 2016 Evernight Publishing June 16 release
Hi, thank you for inviting me to your blog to talk about my latest book from Evernight, An Unusual Vacation.
I originally expected this story to be a short, but as the plot developed and the characters took over, the story grew and grew, and still there’s more to tell, because one of the supporting characters, Connor, is going to have his own story.
Dominic Carr, my hero and Michelle Vega, my heroine, couldn’t be more different, but they are instantly drawn to each other and the resulting passion between them is intense. Dominic’s hopes are high, making him vulnerable. Michelle is involved in a dangerous lifestyle far removed from Dominic’s, but she’s lonely. This opens her up to taking chances when she meets Dominic.
I love water, rivers, and the ocean. They have their own very special atmosphere, and I wanted to flavor the story setting with the sounds, and smells of sun drenched harbor towns, wide rivers and boats, to provide contrast with the suspense element of the story.
When you read the story and Dominic sails away on vacation. Think Monterey or the marinas in the Caribbean or the Florida keys. The sky is Grecian blue, the air and water sparkles. There’s the smell of salt and sea, and wheel of seagulls as the couple walk on the quay together.
At thirty-two Dominic Carr thinks it’s time he met a girl he could love. He’s tired and jaded from his high power job, and hoping that this summer’s vacation will be refreshing. When he sees Michelle Vega in the art gallery of a harbor town he visits, her long legs in pink couture shorts grab his attention.
Michelle Vega has everything to hide except her beauty and her instant attraction to Dominic. She’s not on vacation as she visits the gallery—more like on business.
As the two of them fall into a hot romance, Dominic is sure Michelle could be ‘the one,’ but Michelle is filled with doubt when she considers how he might react to discovering her secrets.
When Michelle’s business takes a dangerous twist Dominic finds he’s pulled into a perilous situation.
Will this be a test of his love or the finish of it?
Read an excerpt: Dominic sees Michelle for the first time
Copyright Elodie Parkes 2015 Evernight Publishing
A sunbeam slanted through the skylight as if aiming for Dominic’s face. He opened his eyes and rolled away from the bright shaft of light. His head safely on the other side of the pillow, Dominic checked the time on his cell phone that lay on the bedside unit. The day looked beautiful through the cabin window as he sat up and swung his legs onto the floor. He pulled on a T-shirt over his boxers and padded into the galley to make coffee. Dominic went up on deck and took his cup of coffee with him. The clear, blue sky and the sun-dappled water brought a smile to his face. The marina around his berth was already full of life, and he sat to watch a fabulous motor yacht edge out of a berth and move majestically into deeper water. Hunger drove him to shower and dress. He had food in the fridge to cook, but Dominic knew there was a great café in this town next to an art gallery and he meant to visit both that morning.
Mellowed by the blueberry pancakes he’d eaten, the sun on his shoulders as he sat at one of the café’s outdoor tables lifted his spirits. Summer scented the air and Dominic took a deep breath. I needed this change. It feels as if I’ve suddenly entered the real world…
His thoughts made him grin as he paid the bill, and left the café. The art gallery, a door down, was showing several local artists’ work and the traveling exhibition on loan from a private collector housed a number of Monet paintings Dominic wanted to see. He’d never thought about joining the art world himself, but Dominic liked to look. It gave him a sense of peace.
A poster on the revolving door proclaimed there was a small fee that week because of the Monets. The gallery had two floors. The rooms were long, stretching back in the deceptively spacious building, with padded benches placed at intervals for people to sit and absorb the art. Dominic donated at the plastic box attached to the screen midway down the first floor of the gallery designating the entrance to the special exhibition. He wanted to see that first.
Over an hour later, Dominic left the Monet exhibition, and wandered along to the top room of the art gallery. He saw the young woman the moment he reached the top of the stairs. She sat part way down the left hand side, on one of the blue benches. Dominic couldn’t tear his gaze away as he edged closer to where she sat. She wore a pale-pink suit jacket and her glossy hair fell down her back, almost to her waist. Her lightly tanned legs were bare and she wore bright pink, high-heeled pumps. Dominic couldn’t see a skirt. Intrigued, he stopped at the painting adjacent to the one she sat in front of, and cast a secret glance at her. Shorts, mmm, she’s beautiful. He passed behind the bench trying to ascertain if she wore a wedding ring. Luck gave him a perfect opportunity as she moved her hair from her face, giving him a delightful view of a naked wedding band finger and her lovely profile. Dominic’s heart raced. Surprise at his reaction to the young woman gripped him, and he walked rapidly across the width of the gallery to stand before an ocean scene and try to collect his swirling thoughts.
Buy the book: Evernight All Romance Amazon US Amazon UK Siren Bookstrand
About Elodie
I’m a writer who is in love with happy endings. Currently based in the UK but thinking about joining the next flock of birds I see heading south for the winter.
I love: music, art, flowers, trees, the ocean …
I work with antiques by day and words by night.
Like a vampire, darkness is my friend, that’s when the silence is only broken by an occasional hoot of owls in the woodlands opposite my current home, and I write.
Find Elodie online: Blog Facebook FB Twitter Tsu Google + G+ Pinterest Blog 2 Tumblr ManicReaders Amazon
When a fleeting encounter with a handsome stranger ignites Patti’s repressed loneliness, she has to admit she longs for the love of a sensual Dom.
Luck is on her side when she goes out for the evening, and meets delicious Cameron in The Club—but is he all that he appears to be?
Cameron’s overwhelming attraction to Patti is tested when she inexplicably fails to show up for a date—just what is going on and will they ever get together?
An erotic romance, with Dom/sub and spanking elements—a contemporary, magical love story.
Interview with Cameron
Chocolate ice cream cake with a drizzle of coffee liqueur
I enjoy seeing people achieve their goals and becoming happier with themselves. I travel with them sometimes, if they’re a movie star or model trying to get back into shape, and that can be fun.
I own a fitness center with my brother so I work out and sometimes I’ll take off on a rock-climbing spree.
Gentleness, intelligence, a sense of humor, sexiness, courage, beautiful eloquent eyes
Mmm, let me think for a moment … okay well all kinds of vibrators and lubes are great because I can give my lady more pleasure
(Laughs) I’ve never been spanked per se, although Patti has dared to slap me on the ass as I pass naked, which I loved and had to kiss her loads to reassure her it was okay. I spank her because it makes her wet, but I don’t put my strength behind it. I do it for her to give her pleasure not to hurt. Frankly, I’d be devastated if I hurt her. I cherish her—she’s mine and we both know it, but that means I take care of her.
She works in fashion. She’s pretty, small, slender, and fits over my shoulder. (Smiles) She’s sexy, clever, interesting, luscious … let’s stop this before I start craving her kiss.
It sure is. It’s hot, sexy, and there’s a journey, but it’s all worth it.
About Elodie Parkes
Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal, fantasy, or suspense. Her books are always steamy. Her tag is, Cool stories: Hot love scenes.
Elodie lives in Canterbury with her two dogs. She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.
Elodie writes for, Evernight Siren Hot Ink Press Eternal Press Secret Cravings
She has also released titles as an individual indie author.
Find Elodie online: Blog Facebook FB Twitter Tsu Google + G+ Pinterest YouTube Amazon USA Amazon UK Manic Readers
Elodie only ever wears boots. (Yes, even in summer) She has three bachelor degrees because she couldn’t make up her mind what she wanted to do, and even then she got two Grad Dips in different subjects, naughty Elodie.
Elodie loves: Music (her nickname at work is Melody Elodie because she’s often singing), the countryside, the ocean, animals, gorgeous men, technology, art, stockings and garter belts, movies, and potatoes, in any order. Elodie is addicted to black leather jackets, and faded jeans, and owns so many she’s ashamed to count them.
Excerpt:
The scene with her tonight enchanted him. He glanced over to where she was dressing.
Patti struggled with the zip of her dress.
Cameron went to her. He fastened her dress and ran his hand along the nape of her neck, turning her to face him.
Cameron’s heart filled with hope at Patti’s tender smile. He handed her shoes over. “Here you go.”
Patti took them. “Thank you, Sir.”
He watched her balance to put them on for a moment before scooping her up and helping as she laughed and clutched his shoulders. Walking with her in his arms, he deposited her on a barstool. “I’d like it very much if you’d call me Cameron.”
She nodded. Her thick blonde hair shone in the light from the bar. The white strip lights reflected in the mirror tiles at the back of the bar sent streaks glistening as she pushed her hair from her face and nodded in agreement. “Yes, Sir.”
Cameron hardened his expression. “I expect you to do as I say, even though our scene is over. I’ve asked you to call me by my name. It will be great if you’d do that.” He turned to the bartender. “Coffee for me, thanks.” He looked at Patti for her order.
She sat sideways on the stool, turned toward him. “For me too. Thank you, Cameron.”
Just how much he enjoyed hearing his name from her lips sent a spike of surprise through him. He stared into her chocolate brown eyes as he pulled the next barstool along and sat to face her. For a whole minute, he drank in the sight of her. With her small rounded nose, the pretty shape of her face, and those oh so kissable lips slightly parted as if she waited for his mouth on hers—she was just right. He gave in to the sweet temptation of her mouth and leaned over to kiss her.
Cameron breathed in the soft scent of her skin as his nose pressed against her cheek. Her response to his kiss sent him hurtling into desire so strong he pushed his hand up between her thighs and his fingertips traced the shape of her slit through the soft fabric of her panties.
A low groan escaped him. He broke away from the kiss. “If you have no Master or wish for a more permanent Dom, I’m inclined to apply for the vacancy.” He murmured the words as he gazed into Patti’s eyes. “I will expect your fidelity. I can’t share you, unless you’re desperate to have a ménage, and then I’ll choose the third partner in our sexual pleasure. I don’t do pain, so fair warning. I do spank when you really ask for punishment by continued disobedience and if it makes you wet…” He stopped talking for a moment as he saw a fleeting emotion in her eyes and knew it did make her wet, and then continued. “I will want some extended scenes with some restraint you’re comfortable with, so that I can fully appreciate your sexy little body and response to my attention—I will take care of you. What do you think?”
Copyright Elodie Parkes 2015 Evernight Publishing
Find a #NSFW excerpt on Elodie’s blog
Buy the book:
Amazon US, Amazon UK, Evernight, Bookstrand, All Romance
Thank you so much for hosting me. *g*
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