Maggie Wells-Margaret Ethridge
Love Without Limits
Tomorrow is the big day!
Tomorrow is the big day! Are you ready to meet Laney and Harley? Comment here and tell me the last time you ‘flipped’ over someone or something and I’ll draw one name for an autographed copy of the paperback!
Be sure to tell all your friends about this new release!
Are you on my newsletter mailing list? If so, watch your inbox next week. I’m gearing up for the release of FLIP THIS LOVE, and I have some great giveaways coming!
Not on my list yet? Sign up here: Maggie’s Mailing List
Not only will I have digital and signed copies of FLIP to give away, but also some fabulous beach-themed prizes. Want a sneak peek? Pretty, pretty dragonflies!
Make sure your name is on the list!
Part of the fun of writing the Coastal Heat series is exploring all the little treasures I’ve discovered about living in the south. I get to play with the family connections, friendships rooted in childhood, funny sayings, social foibles, and, of course, the food.
The first scene I wrote for FLIP THIS LOVE took place at a high-dollar society do. Where all the food was served on sheets of butcher paper. I’m talking about a crawfish boil, of course, and if you aren’t familiar with the way these are thrown down, here’s a visual image:
Want a taste of Laney and Harley’s story? Read on!
~
“That’s it. Suck, sugar.”
The husky timbre of Harley’s voice sent shivers down Laney’s spine. One warm hand slid from her shoulder to her back. The tips of his fingers dug into the valley of her spine. His hand could nearly span her waist. Her nipples puckered when he slipped that roving hand into her hair. Oh, how she wished she’d worn it up. She loved the feel of him. Loved being skin to skin with him. She almost wept with relief when he wrapped his big, broad palm around her nape. Heat seeped into the taut muscles of her neck. A thin stream of hot moisture escaped from the corner of her mouth and trickled down her chin.
“Oh, yeah. Suck harder.”
It wasn’t the first time he’d said those words to her. God help her, she knew it wouldn’t be the last. She was weak, a quivering mass of happy, hurt, and oh-please-touch-me-again. But she needed to toughen up. She had to be on her guard. The man was as insidious as the kudzu that crept into her mother’s flower garden.
Laney pulled the spent crawfish shell from her mouth and dropped it onto the butcher paper in front of her. Fingers tangled in her hair and tugged lightly; a tiny lightning bolt of white-hot desire streaked straight through her. She looked up in time to see Harley flash old Mrs. Hillbury a dimpling smile and commandeer the folding chair beside hers.
“Evenin’, Delaney.”
Scrambling to assemble her thoughts, Laney turned away from Harley’s choir-boy-gone-bad grin and searched the crowd. She sure could use a swallow of the cold beers her friend Brooke had gone to fetch for them, but her trusty pal was nowhere to be seen. Of course. Laney was on her own. She ought to be used to it by now. She should be a professional when it came to rebuffing this man’s advances. She only needed to tap into the sass. No better way to keep a man dancing on the string than to let him think he had half a chance. But only half.
The first time Harley Cade asked her out, Laney Tarrington laughed in his face. Then she locked herself in the ladies’ room and did a happy dance. The second time, she mocked him mercilessly. To his face. Perverse thing he was, Harley seemed to enjoy her abuse. So much so that she lay awake into the wee small hours plotting ways to entice him.
The third time he asked her out, Harley gave up any pretense of acting like a gentleman. He leaned in close, and right there, in the middle of the Saints Preserve Us fundraiser for their alma mater, St. Patrick’s Academy, in a voice barely above a whisper, he told her all the things he wanted to do to her. With her. For her.
In graphic detail. In language most Southern men would never consider using with a lady.
She almost cracked. How the hell could any red-blooded American woman resist him? Didn’t hurt that the man was built like some kind of old-time mafia muscle and sported a pair of dimples deep enough to bury a body.
But she had resisted.
She resisted the fourth, fifth, and sixth times, too. The seventh time got her. Lucky number seven. Oh, God, had it been lucky. She took him back to the tiny apartment she kept in her parents’ carriage house and let him have his wicked way with her. Unyielding as she might have been at first, Laney had to admit the man lived up to the hype.
And then the son of a bitch up and left town the next day.
If he thought he could waltz back into town and pick up where they left off… She waved the possibility away like she was batting at a pesky mosquito. “What the hell are you doing here?”
He blinked, all boyish innocence trapped in a bar bouncer’s body. “Why, I live here, sugar.” The dimples winked as he scooted his chair closer. “Did ya miss me?”
Laney hoped the shiver his molasses-thick baritone unleashed wasn’t visible to the naked eye. The moment the thought crystallized, she blinked, trying to strike the word ‘naked’ from her internal dictionary. She definitely needed to dispatch the too-tempting man beside her.
Hell, she’d spent most her life putting men in their place. It was child’s play for her. At least, it should have been. A smart mouth combined with a cool stare had long been her number one, never-fail defense mechanism. It worked like a charm. Except with Harley. For some reason, it always took a little extra moxie to dispense with this particular man.
Arching one eyebrow, she turned enough to catch sight of his eye. Big mistake. Those eyes were the smooth, clear green of old fashioned Coca-Cola bottles. Looking into them made her mouth run dry. She wanted a long, deep drink of this man. Damn good thing her own mama had drilled the art of self-denial into her almost from the cradle.
She could overpower this unseemly desire. She only needed to put her mind to it. And get her heart to stop thumping like a drum line. All the aforementioned physical reactions coalesced into one big pot of want, and judging by the knowing glint in his eyes, she wasn’t hiding a damn thing from him. She knew exactly how to wipe the smile from his face. Pursing her lips, she gave her head a slow, pitying shake.
“Well, they will let anyone into these things, won’t they?”
“It’s a fundraiser, so yes. Anyone with plenty of money in the bank.”
~
Read more on April 26th!
April is here! That means it’s almost time for FLIP THIS LOVE!
At last!
All month long, I’ll be ramping up to release day. That means you can expect lots of blog posts, giveaways, and tidbits on social media. The fact is, writing the book doesn’t take nearly as long as the editing, packaging, and promoting does.
I received my author copies in the mail a couple weeks ago, and ordered a supply of paper books to have on hand for the book signings. Remember, I’ll be at the Chicago North RWA Spring Fling (May 21st, Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, IL 3-5pm) and the Diamond State Romance Authors 10th anniversary signing at Hastings (Benton, AR) on June 18, 2016.
In the meantime, I’m still making new words for Ransomed Heart. I’m past the 70k mark. That means I’m heading into the last quarter of play. Gotta keep moving!
How about you? How are you ramping up for Spring?
Lots of good things going on. Ready for a check in?
So glad March is here. Not only did we have a beautiful weekend, but the daffodils are blooming and a young woman’s thoughts are turning to romance. Writing romance.
I’m proud to say I managed to keep up with my 100 words/100 days through all the trauma of February. There were some days when I eked by with just over 100, but I made my goal each day. If I can make it through to the 19th, I’ll hit the 100 day mark. I’ll share my total word count when all is said and done.
I’m working on the second book in the Warrior series. I’ve also got a few proposals for future work out there, so cross your fingers. Writers are like sharks, we just have to keep moving forward.
One of the fun things I’ve been doing is participating in the Seasoned Romance group on Facebook. This group is for readers and writers who want to see more couples with a little more life experience behind them. If your’e on Facebook and want to talk about book you love, join us!
In other news: GOING DEEP is on sale this month for only $0.99!
Why, you ask? Because FLIP THIS LOVE is going to be released next month!!
I can’t wait for you to meet Harley and Laney! I think you’ll really like them!
That’s what I have going so far. What’s new with you?
Okay! So this week’s post is all about the news. First, the big news I’ve been hinting at for a month or so:
That’s right, the Warrior series (FULL COURT PRESS, RANSOMED HEART, and TOSSING THE PLAYBOOK) will be available in audio starting with the release of FULL COURT PRESS in December 2017! Read all about it here!
Second, as you know, I re-released the HOT NIGHTS IN ST. BLAISE novellas as a set. You can grab all 12 stories for just $3.99. If you’d like to tempt a friend into trying them out, I’m posting book #1, JUMPING MR. JANUARY on Wattpad as a free read. Chapters 1, 2, & 3 will be available as of this week. Please help me spread the word!
Third, don’t forget that GOING DEEP is on sale for only $0.99. I think the sale ends this week, so tell all of your friends to pick up a copy today. FLIP THIS LOVE will be out in April, and LOVE AND ROCKETS in October. If you haven’t read it, give it a shot – I think you’ll really love the Coastal Heat series!
Whew! That’s a lot going on, isn’t it? Well, it’s not all I have cooking. I’m over 15k into drafting RANSOMED HEART and I have to tell you, I’m loving this story! I’m using the delicious Boris Kodjoe as my inspiration for basketball coach, Ty Ransom. I’ll just leave this here for a minute:
Yeah. Uh huh.
You’ll be pleased to know that I was a good girl this past week and got ahead of my goal. Keep your fingers crossed that I can keep the streak going!
What’s new with you?
Here we go, kids!
I just turned in the manuscript for LOVE AND ROCKETS (Coastal Heat #3) last night. Wooohoo! What does this mean? It means it’s time for me to get to work on RANSOMED HEART (Warrior #2)!
I’m excited to start on something new, but that doesn’t mean I’m done with the Coastal Heat series. I’m preparing a proposal for two more books in the series, so cross your fingers and toes. I’m also excited because the first book in the series, GOING DEEP, is on sale!
Brooke and Brian started it all. Now they’ll have company as Laney and Harley’s story comes out in April and Jake and Darla’s in October. It’s so much fun to see this world grow to encompass so many new love stories.
A new year means new plans. As 2016 starts, I’m working on 2017 and beyond. I can’t wait to share these new adventures with you!
Tell all your friends! Shout it from the rooftops! GOING DEEP is only $0.99!
I have no idea how long the sale will last, so grab it fast!
Going Deep – To the heart of the story.
Book #1 in the Coastal Heat Series
Brooke Hastings almost won a Pulitzer Prize for her hard-hitting reportage. Now she’s sitting on the story of a lifetime and wants to prove she’s not a one-hit-wonder. But in order to get the world to take notice, she’ll need the help of the one person she loves to hate—Brian Dalton.
Brian Dalton stumbled into celebrity when he landed a show on the Earth Channel. But the hunky marine biologist never forgot the serious, studious boy who left Mobile a decade before. Now back in Alabama, he’s looking for the quiet life he always wanted and hoping for a chance with the girl he always loved. When Brooke asks him to help expose some of the lingering effects of the Gulf oil disaster, Brian jumps at the chance to help preserve the place both call home…
All Romance ~ Amazon ~ Apple ~ B&N ~ Google ~ Kensington ~ Kobo
Over the past couple of years, I’ve tried to focus more on the good things in life than the things that get me down. I think it’s working. Last year, I started doing the notes in a jar. In 2016, I plan to continue that, but I’m also adding the Happier app to my repertoire. It allows me to take pictures and note the happy as it’s happening.
Still, I love my pretty post-its, so I can’t abandon the good old mason jar. I opened my 2015 good things jar on NYE.
That sucker was stuffed!
Wanna see what went down this year? Here’s the scoop:
January
1/1/15 – Pan fried praline french toast in butter. We are rebels!
1/1/15 – 1017 words to kick off the new year!
1/2/15 – The best days are royalty check days!
1/2/15 – Print copies of The Last First Date for RITA have arrived!
1/4/15 – Cracker Barrel with Kathy, Monica, and my man!
1/6/15 – Facebook harassed Kay Fairchild with the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.
1/6/15 – Spring Chickens re-release!
1/7/15 – Hug therapy and Pillsbury ready-to-bake sugar cookies.
1/23/15 – I got a raise!
1/24/15 – Snuggle nap.
February
2/3/15 – Switched RT enrollment for RWA in NYC with Karen B!
2/4/15 – Colin James Kidwell is born!
2/11/15 – Popeye’s Pandora, and the perfect truffle from my love.
2/12/15- Viva Las Vegas with my Super Cool Party People!
2/14/15 – Spring Chickens will be in the Unforgettable Heroes II boxed set!
2/15/15 – Stranded in Las Vegas with my girls.
2/16/15 – Spa day with Iwanna. There are worse places to be stuck than Las Vegas. J
2/23/15 – Signed up for NOLA Stars conference in Shreveport.
2/26/15 – Finished draft on Full Court Press.
2/28/15 – Request for a full on Full Court Press – agent J.A.
March
3/1/15 – Submitted Bossy Pants (retitled A Will and A Way) to Kensington.
3/1/15 – Tulips, pretty tulips!
3/7/15 – NOLA Stars – request for full on FCP – editor P.B.
3/7/15 – NOLA Stars – request for partial and synopsis – agent L.B.
3/7/15 – NOLA Stars – submitted full and synopsis FCP – agent D.K.
3/7/15 – NOLA Stars – Won 1st chapter critique from Molly O’Keefe in auction.
3/18/15 – Query S.M. on FCP.
3/24/15 – Partial request from S.M.
3/29/15 – 3.5 miles in 44 minutes watching Rory’s Birthday Parties on Netflix.
April
4/4/15 – Flying Fish, grass sledding, Riverwalk, salted caramel ice cream, and Outlander. The perfect day!
4/9/15 – Kensington wants Bossy Pants (to be renamed) and two more to follow Going Deep!
4/12/15 – Sara Megibow offered representation!
4/20/15 – Accepted representation with Sara Megibow, KT Literary. Officially a part of Team Megibow!
May
5/4/15 – Charlotte Castle Kolleng is born!
5/6/15 – Boaz Joshua Kiewiet is born!
5/20/15 – Full Court Press going out on submission.
June
6/2/15 – Jewels booked her flight to Little Rock!
6/10/15 – Chicago! Got to smooch Kat, Becky, Johnny, Katie, baby Lottie, and el Jeffe!
6/11/15 – Chicago part II – visit with Strokie at State Farm, Garrett’s Popcorn, and Lou Malnati’s pizza!
6/12/15 – RUSH at the United Center with Wild Bill, Jazzy Jeff, Dazed Dan, Kat and Carol!
6/17/15 – Terms with Kensington at good. Three book deal is a go!
6/21/15 – Father’s Day Italian beef, sugar cookies, and hoops with my boys.
6/24/15 – Kidneys and bladder passed their tests with flying colors.
July
7/4/15 – Annual viewing of The Music Man.
7/18/15 – DSRA, Café Cinco De Mayo, and pre-RWA mani/pedi.
7/21/15 – Surprise bonus at the day job just in time for my trip. 🙂
7/22/15 – RWA in NYC – I touched Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Such a lovely lady.
7/22/15 – RWA Literacy Signing.
7/22/15 – RWA with Karen B. – Up late girl talking. 🙂
7/23/15 – Kensington party – Cab ride with Sharon Struth, Terri-Lynne DeFino, and Sonali Dev.
7/24/15 – Harlequin party at the Waldorf Astoria – Nine authors, one limo. Danced the night away with Karen B!
7/25/15 – Ate a delicious Steakburger in NYC. You can take the girl out of Bloomington…
7/25/15 – RITA awards – two wins for Team Megibow authors!
7/26/15 – Sad news about my BeBe to start the day, but smooth travel with Renee N Kelly. Now home to my pillow.
7/31/15 – Turned in Flip This Love – 64k in 31 days!
August
8/8/15 – Amazeum in Bentonville to meet Sara Megibow.
8/13/15 – Jewels hits Little Rock. 3 Sams BBQ for PB pie. Shooting hoops in the back yard.
8/14/15 – Burgers, shoe shopping, Flying Fish, cardboard sledding and Willy D’s piano bar with Jewels, Joe and Deb!
8/15/15 – Took Jewels to DSRA for show and tell. Mexican food, Trainwreck, and bopper sundaes.
8/16/15 – Jewels, Kayson, and juggling.
8/29/15 – 1st round edits on Flip This Love.
September
9/15/15 – Going Deep release day!
9/27/15 – 12331 words at the DSRA writing retreat 2015!
October
10/13/15 – Flip This Love cover is FABULOUS!
10/13/15 – An offer on Full Court Press!
10/17/15 – I had a bunny. He made me very happy for a very long time.
10/28/15 – Entered Going Deep in 2016 ROTA awards.
10/28/15 – Signed 3 book deal with Samhain Publishing for Warrior (Full Court Press) series.
10/31/15 – Batman returns for trick or treating!
November
11/1/15 – 1st round edits on A Will and A Way.
11/4/15 – Samhain deal announced.
11/9/15 – Lulu bought a house in Missouri just to be closer to me!
11/12/15 – Watched WKRP turkey drop. “As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.”
11/14/15 – Loblolly ice cream sundaes for lunch.
11/14/15 – Hogs beat LSU – always a good time.
11/15/15 – Dinner at Marketplace with the kiddos – chocolate mess sundae with my favorite little boy.
11/16/15 – 47th bday – New Kindle and Snoopy book on writing.
11/21/15 – Shared a teeny-tiny birthday cake with Mr. Bill.
11/22/15 – Playtime Pizza with the family for Bill’s double-nickel birthday.
11/26/15 – Thankful for a fun Thanksgiving.
11/27/15 – Finished 1st draft on Love and Rockets…finally!
11/28/15 – Joe and Deb’s wedding!
December
12/1/15 – More good publishing news (announcement to come in January).
12/2/15 – DSRA lunch and PHC party. Eat, eat, and eat some more!
12/6/15 – Christmas lights are finally up.
12/13/15 – I am a turkey roasting goddess. Who knew?
12/18/15 – Sally finally learned to play tug.
12/20/15 – My man bought me cookies after a long day of inventory.
12/25/15 – Family, little smokies, monkey bread, and I left The Isle up $5!
12/26/15 – Kidwell Christmas = Babies, babies, babies, and euchre.
12/27/15 – Bill became the fool who ripped his pants!
12/28/15 – Free bonus charm at Pandora.
12/29/15 – Brinda Berry proved that she is magic, like a unicorn.
12/31/15 – Dinner with my man, puppy play, yoga pants, West Wing on Netflix, football and Little Debbie Nutty Bar.
Whew! What a year! Thank you all for being a part of it!
The jar is empty again and ready to go. My goal for 2016 is to top 100+ notes. How about you? Are you doing anything to tap into your happy?