I know I have been quiet but honestly I have been nervous and on edge with my writing and its been hard to express. I once again got to the gate and got shut down. The Berkley editor loved my vamps for Berkley Sensation and took them to the higher ups. They didn’t even read them. They shot her down and said no more vamps…TIS the story of my life. I get ALMOST there. I had decided to quit writing in January if I didn’t sell in December so this month has felt really intense. BUT I am told good news might just come Monday. My family is begging me to give it until the end of January because I am so close. I have just felt very close a long time.

Why am I sharing this? Everyday I talk to writers who feel what I do. They can’t get an agent. If they have an agent, they can’t get a deal. To launch in a mainstream area you are up against big names. I lost a deal at an NYC house and I was up against a multipublished big name. The other author got 6 figures and I got…nothing. I am honored to be considered but its still hard to walk away with no deal. I want people to know they are not alone. I have heard Kenyon talk about her very tough road to publication and I admire her for sharing. As authors we tend to think everyone else had it easy when that isn’t so.

The market if very tight for everything but the extreme erotic stuff. People are making the best seller lists selling less books than ever before because of the economy. My work is NOT considered erotic. Sexy but not erotic. For an author who is new the ideal is to sell TO the market. It’s smart and its a good thing. Then once you make it on the ‘it’ thing your agent is the one who must make sure you get opportunity that doesn’t just allow a short ride on a wave of the newest craze in case you aren’t one of the launch authors who sells big. The agent should make sure you have things already set up so it won’t hurt you. I have an author friend who sold to AVON in the erotic market and she is so talented that it opened a door that she will take to amazing places. I mean she could write anything she wants to and do it well. Her editor sees that too. You know, I am loving the way the NYC houses are packaging the erotic stuff! I know I am comfortable buying it in the stores! I think readers are going to be too! I was excited to see that readers can get a sexy read packaged classy and sensual!

But anyway, the new lines that are buying in NYC are for hottttttt stuff, are not the ones I am competing in. I don’t use certain words. I don’t do threesomes. I don’t do certain types of intimacy. My agent comforts me, and tells me the editors WANT to buy me. I just need the ‘it’ proposal they can get through the upper mgt….But I say this too because I have an author friend who is incredbily talented going throught the EXACT same thing. It’s killing her. She was even up for best erotic romance at RT and the houses say she isn’t HOT enough. She is selling slow like me and questioning everything about her writing. This woman is sooooo talented! When she does sell, and she will even though right now she doesn’t believe it, she will be a HUGE name. I hate to see her pain because I know how talented she is. She just has to sell to a tough market.

Anyway, so this is my world of silence. So sorry for that! I need to get to that place beyond the edge and get a grip. I hope you guys will hang on with me!

Christmas King is out December 28th!!! I hope you will try it!! It’s paranormal and its HOT lol!

Here are two excerpts…
DECEMBER 28th at ELLORA’S Cave…

Christmas King

Alexis Gray has always found escape in her dream lover. He is wild, almost primal in his cravings, but gentle and sensual, at the same time. Whenever she needs him, he is there. Her salvation. Her friend. Her lover. As crazy as she knows the idea, she often wishes he would come to her, to find his way to physical form. For Alexis is different from the others around her, and she knows its. Yet, with her dream lover she finds a sense of unity.

On Christmas Eve, Alexis encounters something dark and menacing, an evil stalking her. As she battles this darkness, she comes face to face with her dream lover who claims she is his mate, as well as the king of a distant planet. Her planet as well. There is a deadly enemy who wants to stop their mating. Then her Christmas King claims he has kept her hidden on earth until their mating could be safely achieved. Now is that time. All Alexis has to do, is give into the absoluteness of her cravings for this man.

EXCERPT ONE

Once upon a time on the planet Warcon…

There was a mighty warrior and prince named Alcron, part the prehistoric beast of his heritage and part the man of evolution. He was the only Warcon born part Warcon and part Fae, possessing the strength of three human males and the speed of a lethal panther. This Prince was a brave creature who would one day be King. A magical being only beginning to know the full potential of his skills. And he was a sexual creature. One who could only control his beast so long without claiming his true mate. Until that day, Alcron had to wait. To endure. To battle his beast.

Alcron, like all the Warcon and Fae, could have lived for centuries. But over time the man would die, and the animal inside would eventually gain control. The beast would then be put to death, his heir assuming the role of King. It had happened to all the Warcon leaders except Alcron’s father.

See, Alcron’s father had done the unthinkable, throwing away convention, and claiming a Fae as a mate. He’d insisted this Fae beauty called to him, both man and beast. That she was his perfect woman, capable of proving the Warcon male was not destined to destruction and death. With this act, by claiming a Fae rather than a Warcon wife, a miracle had occurred. The beast in the King had calmed, leaving peace for the man within.

Logic said Alcron could find his perfect mate in Fae, especially being half Fae himself. But as time pressed onward, no mate appeared. Just when his beast began to pull him beneath its dark victory, hope emerged. Alcron knew the moment his perfect mate was born. Felt it in every inch of his existence. It no longer mattered that his wilder side raged with a passion to steal his honor, threatening his existence. Somehow, Alcron would survive until his mate, who bore the name Alexis, achieved the age of twenty-five. Not until then was it safe for a Fae to mate. But knowing he had found Alexis, and made his claim on her, receiving her parent’s approval for their future union, brought comfort to Alcron.

And so time progressed, and Alexis grew. Alcron’s people knew nothing of his battle to control the beast. They saw only a brilliant young leader who stood by his father, the King.

Everything should have been a fairy tale from there. A handsome prince who knew he would one day claim his princess and show her the meaning of happily-ever-after. But there was darkness in the future of this brave prince. His battle for happiness had only just begun. For when Alexis was a mere three years old, a violent attack by the Warcon’s deadly enemy left both Alcron and Alexis without parents, forcing Alcron into the role of King without his Queen. With most of the Fae also destroyed, Alcron had no choice but to hide his future Queen until she came of age to mate at twenty-five.

To protect both his princess and the ability to produce a future heir to the Kingdom, Alcron chose earth as the shelter for his beloved mate. With Alexis, Alcron sent a powerful elder Fae to act as Guardian Angel. Now, Alcron waits for his mate, battling his beast, impatient for the day his princess will become his Queen.

EXCERPT TWO OH - THESE ARE UNEDITED!

“Alexis.”

She heard his voice, the deep resonating sound like music playing in her dream. Alexis sighed, enjoying the sweet bliss of slumber and the escape it offered from so many days of pain. Alcron.

“Hello, Princess.” The words were spoken near her ear, the warm trickle of his breath teasing her neck. Alexis turned towards him, finding him sitting on the edge of the couch, his muscular body nude and as perfect as a fine work of art. No human was made as fine as he. No man of flesh and blood. But in her fantasy world, she could conjure perfection and had been for years.

His hand slid to her cheek. “You are in pain.”

Reaching for him, her fingers settled on his wrist and she leaned into his palm. The sharing of mutual touch brought comfort. He felt so alive. So real. “I’m better now. Much better.”

“There is much we have to discuss, Princess.”

She laughed. Over the years he often talked her through her tough times. Even as a small child, before their relationship had turned sexual, he’d comforted her. She’d aged, but he’d remained the same. “Conversation isn’t what I need tonight.”

“It is time—”

Sitting up, she pressed her lips to his, cutting off his words. Needing the passion and tenderness of his love making. No. She wanted him to show the wildness of his beast. The part of him that took her and claimed her as his. She needed to feel…taken. Like she belonged somewhere. With someone. For an instant he hesitated, but the second her tongue slid past his teeth, his resistance faded. With a low growl, he claimed her mouth, his hands sliding around her body and pulling her close. And just like that, her nightgown disappeared. God, how she loved his magical way of undressing her.

Pressing into him, she tried to get closer. “I need you,” she whispered into his mouth.“I am yours. I always have been. Just as you are mine.”

“I wish that were true,” she said, breathless as emotion and desired welled inside. If only he were real. If only she could be his.

“You are mine,” he replied, conviction low and intense in his voice. “You know I speak the truth.” But instead of holding her tighter, he moved away, his actions contrasting his words. He sat on the far end of the couch, putting distance between them, leaving her aching for his touch. And she knew why. He was proving a point. That she had to go to him. That she would. Because she couldn’t help herself.

Alexis shifted to her knees, biting her bottom lip as she stared at Alcron, knowing the truth in his challenge. Not caring. Feeling desire burn in the ache between her thighs and the tightening of her nipples. She wanted to be his. And though this was a dream, she had no problem slipping into the fantasy. Here she felt safe. Strong. Like she belonged.

He sat there, arms on the back of the couch, cock thick with arousal, looking like some sort of warrior prince. She licked her bottom lip, watching his erection bob in response. Her eyes lifted to his, and she smiled. She loved knowing she affected him.

Extending her arm, she wrapped her palm around his width, feeling him pulse beneath her skin. The temptation to lean over and draw him into her mouth called to her, but tonight, she wanted him inside her.

“I missed you,” Alexis said, spreading the dampness on the tip of his cock. “It’s been days.”

“That felt like lifetimes,” he responded, his hand closing over hers and urging her to stroke his length.

She did as he wished and scooted closer to him, leaning so that her mouth lingered just inches from his. “Why didn’t you come to me?”

“I was never far away.” His hand slid to the side of her face and then into her hair. He pulled her lips to his. For long moments they simply held the position, and it felt as if they were absorbing each other.

Alexis settled her hands on his shoulders and climbed on top of him, straddling his hips, feeling his hard length against her ass. The look in his eyes, sizzling with desire, made her skin warm even more than the caress of his hands up her back. His gaze held heat. Fire. And…love. So much so that she shivered with excitement and emotions, yet, at the same time, burned with desire and yearning.

To be continued…..

Hi all!

Just a very short mini newsletter!

I hope everyone had a great holiday!!!

Christmas King news! Well, its not a quickie anymore! After talks, my editor and I, decided this world I created could be an exciting place to explore and its a shame to see it end as a quickie. So…Christmas King will release in December as a single title. …Here is a quick look at the world:

UNEDITED!!! Still in rough expanded form!!!

Once upon a time…

He existed as a leader, part beast and part man, ruling with a combination of honor and a heavy hand. His strength was that of three men, his speed that of a lethal panther. He was of pure blood unlike those he ruled. His power to lead along with his passion for victory in war, an inspiration to his people. He could have lived for centuries, but with age, the beast began to take control making his existence a danger to others. The beast raged inside and stole his honor, bringing forth his violent nature, taking away his drive for peace and law.

This powerful leader, the King of the Planet Warcon, was expected to produce an heir. An heir he would then train to be a future leader. The son who would be forced to order his father’s death when the beast had finally claimed control.

But salvation showed itself in the form of a near extinct family of Fae. They landed on the planet Warcon and with them a miracle. One of these Fae fell in love with the King. And with her love, the beast was magically tamed, no longer taking control. No longer able to destroy the honor of the man.

But the Fae were few, and the evil leader of a neighboring planet wanted them extinct. He attacked viciously and killed the ruling Warcon King and Queen as well as most of the Fae.

This left the King’s son, Alcron, to take control of Warcon. Only one female Fae infant was left aliveAlcron took the child to earth, leaving her in the protection of an elder Fae.

Now Alcron fights for his people even as he battles his own beast, praying for the day he can claim his princess. Hoping his princess comes of age before the beast destroys the man within.

A new cover and release date soon! I’ll let you know!

As for other happenings…I turned in my proposals to the NYC editor who requested them right before the holiday. I have several things pending and I really hope to have news soon! I think several editors may have read me over the holiday so cross your fingers for me! My Vamps want a home and I love them and really want to see them come to life!:)

HURT SO GOOD is on sale NOW at Ellora’s Cave! Interesting thing about this book is it got a E erotic rating from EC. I do think its hot but I think HEALER was really hot and it got a lower rating. Also, HURT SO GOOD, has a lot of humor. It’s a different style for me that I hope you will enjoy! I’d love to hear what you think!

If you spot protector in stores please yell! I get all excited to know my name is on a bookshelf in some state I have never even visited!!

Take care all! Talk soon!

Lisa

Hey all!

I hope the holiday is bringing everyone happy, safe times! I have been running a hundred miles an hour. Much of this I have been sharing on my blog/journal but I got behind this week with so many deadlines… Below are a couple excerpts from my upcoming releases.

Don’t forget Red Hot Secrets is out! Those of you who read Fantasy World this is a semi-rewrite but I hate to even say that really. The book is 20k longer and I rewrote almost every word. It’s tons better and the best friend in the story has her own story out in January with Who’s on Top. You get to see her a lot in Red Hot Secrets!

I am of course thrilled that HEALER received 4.5 stars from RT. I plan to post lots of excerpts from it on my loop day on the 17th at EC! Come play with me. I will have lots of PROTECTOR excerpts as well. And don’t forget PROTECTOR is in print!

Also my WRITER BABES group is having a sexy shape shifter contest for free books! Go to my journal and click on the link to WRITER BABES! You can get the details there!

I have a new contest for Victoria Secrets posting on my contest page on
Wednesday as well!

I would love to start a list of who is going to RT and RWA and meet some of the people I chat with. Please drop me a note if you are going!

Here are some excerpts. Enjoy!

Lisa

Christmas King

December first at Ellora’s Cave

Very unedited peek at the December one White Hot Christmas story from EC…

“Alexis.”

She heard his voice, the deep resonating sound like music playing in her dream. Alexis sighed, enjoying the sweet bliss of slumber and the escape it offered from so many days of pain. Alcron.

“Hello Princess.” The words were spoken near her hear, the warm trickle of his breath, teasing her neck. Alexis turned towards him finding him sitting on the edge of the couch, his muscular body nude, and as perfect as a fine work of art. No human was made as fine as he. No man of flesh and blood. But in her fantasy world, she could conjure perfection and had been for years.

His hand slid to her cheek. “You are in pain.”

Reaching for him, her fingers settled on his wrist and she leaned into his palm. The sharing of mutual touch brought comfort. He felt so alive. So real. “I’m better now. Much better.”

“There is much we have to discuss, Princess.”

She laughed. Over the years he often talked her through her tough times. Even as a small child, before their relationship had turned sexual, he’d comforted her. She’d aged, but he’d remained the same. “Conversation isn’t what I need tonight.”

“It is time-”

Sitting up, she pressed her lips to his, cutting off his words. Needing the passion and tenderness of his love making. No. She wanted him to show the wildness of his beast. The part of him that took her and claimed her as his. She needed to feel….taken. Like she belonged somewhere. With someone. For an instant he seemed to resist e kiss, but the second her tongue slid past his teeth, his willpower faded. With a low growl, he claimed her mouth, his hands sliding around her body and pulling her close. And just like that, her nightgown disappeared. God, how she loved his magical way of undressing her.

Pressing into him, she tried to get closer. “I need you,” she whispered into his mouth.

His fingers tunneled throw her hair and he leaned back to give her a potent look. “And I am yours. I always have been. Just as you are mine.”

“I wish that were true,” she said, breathless as emotion and desired welled inside. If only he were real. If only she could be his.

“You are mine,” he replied, conviction, low and intense, in his voice. “You know I speak the truth.” But instead of holding her tighter, contrasting his words, he moved away, sitting on the couch and leaving her aching for his touch. And she knew why. He was proving a point. That she had to go to him. That she would. Because she couldn’t help herself.

From Hurt so Good….

Jennifer has just ran into the stranger she was drooling over in the bar on the street. His car is broken down…

Releases November 23rd at Ellora’s Cave

She stood perfectly still.

His walk was etched with an air of confidence, possibly even a bit of arrogance. His eyes were alert, dancing with thoughts she wished she knew.

God, she was attracted to him.

Every line of his body flexed with muscles, lean but defined. He was tall, broad and gorgeous. Her teeth found her bottom lip as he stopped directly in front of her.

“I saw you in the bar,” he said in a voice so deep and sexy it matched his physical perfection.

His eyes dropped, taking her in from head to toe. It should have freaked her out, his inspection of her body, but instead, it only made her feel warm and wanting. He turned her on. She liked feeling as if she turned him on as well. And she did. It was in his eyes.

As much as she wanted it to scare her, freak her out, make her run, it only made her feel lusty. Her nipples tingled, her thighs ached as wetness dampened her panties.

So he had been watching her at the bar. This little tidbit felt good. Still, admitting she was looking at him seemed a risk. Too bold for her. “Which bar?” she asked innocently as if she hadn’t seen him.

He smiled then, a knowing look in his eyes. “You know which bar.”

Damn. She wasn’t used to these types of encounters. “Do I?” she asked nervously.

“Don’t you?” he countered.

Okay, games didn’t work for her. “Yes,” she admitted. “I suppose I do.”

One corner of his mouth tipped upward. “You looked out of your element.”

“So did you,” she returned thoughtfully.

He laughed shortly. “I was, and I’m paying the price for coming. My car’s broken down.”

She looked over his shoulder towards the fancy sports car. “Did you call for help?”

He made a frustrated sound and ran his hand through his blond locks. It messed up quite nicely. Sexy and rumpled is how she would describe him. He seemed even more appealing. “I’ve called three taxi companies but there is a convention in town and I can’t seem to get a ride.”

Her vocabulary began to shrink again. “Oh.”

“Eventually, I’m sure one will show.” He studied her for a minute, those compelling green eyes of his making her insides flip-flop. “I’m Mark Majors.” His hand extended.

She looked down at it, big and strong, and slowly slipped hers into it. “Kelly Marshall.”

The flash of awareness she felt as he touched her was like a lightning bolt in its intensity. This man rocked her to the core. Her eyes flashed with the knowledge, and in his she saw, for the briefest of moments, the same reaction.

Though she wasn’t in tune with the dating game, she knew enough to know these types of feelings were so intense because they were shared.

Their hands remained locked. “Nice to meet you, Kelly,” he said in a soft, sultry tone that spoke of naked bodies and silk sheets.

The sense of sex floated in the air, and she felt suddenly, overwhelmingly nervous. She tried to inch her hand away. “I, uh, need to go.”

His eyes narrowed and then, as if he understood, he released her hand. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Fighting the tremble she knew was likely in her voice, she kept her response short. “You didn’t.”

His eyes dropped to her lips, and she wasn’t sure if he saw them trembling. Without warning he took a step backwards. “I did. I’m sorry.”

She was surprised by his action. She could feel the blood rush under her skin, no doubt making her blush. Tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear, she stumbled through her sentence, not sure what to say. She wanted to stay, but she knew she shouldn’t. “I…I better go.”

Another step backwards. “Goodnight.” He turned then and started to walk away.

All common sense fled. Something inside her didn’t want him to go. “Wait,” she said, taking a step forward.

He turned, looking at her with his expectancy in those amazing eyes. His dark brows arched upward. “Yes?”

“How…how are you getting home?”

Turning fully again, he surveyed her with curiosity and smiled. “Eventually, I’ll get a cab.”

“Can’t…can’t you call a friend or something?”

“I just moved here recently,” he explained. “I don’t know anyone well enough to wake them up in the middle of the night.”

Some strange power took over her body. It made her do things she knew were dangerous, wrong and far too risky. Her mouth moved without her being aware of a conscious decision to open it. “I can give you a ride.”

Posting more IN THE WORKS EXCERPTS WEDNESDAY ON MY SITE!

Had to start the day with some fun pictures lol!

Hi all! Well, blogger is so nuts! I couldn’t add pictures all day yesterday so I didn’t finish this post that I started then! Things are nuts right now. The only way I can keep writing is to do a lot of other things to make money. I have put myself on a 7 days work week getting up at 6:30 and going to bed about 12:30. It’s been about two weeks. I am actually writing with this schedule but I am tired and its taking a toll. Still, writing is flowing and when I am tired sometimes that doesn’t happen. I’ve started talking a lot about my struggles as a writer because I think a lot of writers see others success and think it came easy to them. Tomorrow I am going to start talking about how I went from poor to not so poor and back again to fight for a dream…Anyway…I am excited to get my first review of Hurt so Good! It’s out the 23rd!!! So soon! Also I am posting an excerpt from BAD BOYS AHOY!

Sylvia Day is the next big ‘it’ author have no doubt! And she is incredibly driven person. She doesn’t sit back and wait for success to come. She drives forward. I respect her for that immensely! On the 17th Syliva and I are hosting loop day at EC so please come play with us!!!

First review of Hurt so Good!

From Laurie at Sensual Reviews
Lisa Renee Jones has once again delivered a real scorcher with Hurts So Bad. Her characters are always written from the heart; reaching right out to grab you and pull you in. Ms. Jones gives her readers characters that are true to life with the same fears and insecurities that we all share and can relate to. I give this book a very high recommendation. Your only regret will be that it isn’t longer.

And here is the wonderful SYLVIA DAY!!
www.sylviaday.com

Go to her site and enter her contest!!

HER MAD GRACE, the third story in the BAD BOYS AHOY!

“You’re in a fine mood,” Charlotte noted, smiling against the rim of her cup. Hugh La Coeur was also in fine form. Dressed in warm shades of brown, he made her mouth water, the handsomeness of his features lit by a boyish smile.

“I am. Mores the pity for you.” He waggled his brows suggestively.

She laughed. “A girl could become accustomed to having you around.”

“I hope you do.” He pushed away his empty plate and stood, moving to her chair. “Shall we retire to my room and study your map?”

Charlotte rose, a sharp tingle of awareness coursing through her veins. She glanced at Hugh over her shoulder and batted her lashes. “I thought studying the map came later?” Her eyes dropped to his trousers and she watched, fascinated, as his cock swelled before her eyes.

“Stop that.” He grabbed her elbow and led her to the stairs.

“Stop what?” she asked innocently, biting back a smile.

“You know very well what,” he said, his voice a slow drawl that made her toes curl in her slippers. “Drooling while staring at my cock.”

“I did no such thing!” she protested, choking back a giggle as they ascended the stairs.

He shot her an arch glance. “You did too, insatiable minx. A man can hardly get any rest around here.”

She choked. “Horrid man! You wouldn’t leave me alone. How many times did I roll over and attempt sleep?”

“Several,” he said smoothly. “But it wasn’t long before you’d be reaching for me again.”

Charlotte paused on the middle stair. “Only because your erection was poking me in the spine!”

Hugh shrugged in exquisite nonchalance. “You were wiggling.”

She stared at him, fighting back laughter, her entire body warming to the sensual amusement she found in his dark gaze. He was so devastatingly handsome, full of vigor and mischief. He was a man who lived life, while she’d spent the last few years in a daze. She was drawn to that energy, to that zest, wanting to absorb the thrill of it into the marrow of her bones.

Unable to help herself, she stepped forward and offered him her mouth. With a deep groan, he obliged, gifting her with one of his sensual kisses. Charlotte melted against him, her hands drifting to clutch the powerful muscles of his shoulders.

“See?” he murmured, licking her parted lips. “You are doing it again.”

Preorder here!

Hi All!

I don’t know who this hunk is but I readers submitted him and hello?!! THANK YOU!!!!!! More of this guy tomorrow! He deserves two days!

Well headed into a new week and I don’t know why but I think this week I will get news. I have felt it very strong all weekend. Last weekend was just the opposite. I felt like last week would be a big zero and it was.. I have a new project I am almost done with for my agent that I am super super excited about…… Here is a tiny peek…

Within our imagination lies the truth

We’ve all heard the stories. Tales told around camp fires and at slumber parties. Urban legends, myths, and yes, ghost stories. We go to the movies, begging to be scared. We buy the newest horror novel the minute it hits the shelves. We beg to be scared. Wanting fear. Needing it. Getting a high off the adrenaline rush of spine tingling terror. Convincing ourselves these dark things live only in the imagination…but that’s what evil wants us to think, thriving on our ignorance. Drinking innocence like fine wine. Waiting. Planning. Lurking in the shadows of existence with the poisonous of its presence and then targeting the souls of the defenseless for attack. Preying on the weak and using them to stalk those stronger.

And only one force stands between the hunted and the hunter.

Born with beauty meant to disguise the potency of their skills from those they hunt, they are the chosen seven. Women born into their destiny as part of magical genetic lines. These gifted seven are overseen by the Interworld Council, the ‘law’ ruling all things paranormal.

As ‘Guardians’ of the portals leading from one world to the next, these women are considered guardians of the unknowing humans, shielding them from the spirit world and fighting darkness. They are strong, possessing supernatural powers. They are the force that control the lines dividing two worlds, the living and the dead. The barrier separating the spirits of the past from the physical bodies of today.

For in the otherworld, the realm between life and death, there is darkness beyond human comprehension. Sinister beings demanding to be seen and known. Yearning to take control of the living. Preying on those who believe them non-existent. There is only one way to stop their malicious intent to claim good as evil.

The Circle of Seven.

Here is a wonderful author I think you will enjoy reading! Susan DiPlacido! And you guys her site ROCKS! All kinds of cool things! You have to go PLAYYYYYYYYY! www.susandiplacido.com. Her book will be in all the Barnes and Nobles very soon! WOOHOOO! It’s a hot new line that is Barne and Noble Exclusive! And lol, check out here herione’s name! Good choice Susan!!

Excerpt from Mutual Holdings by Susan DiPlacido

Gianni treats us to a lovely dinner at the hotel restaurant where I actually loosen up and enjoy a glass of wine with the meal. Once he orders another bottle, though, Mark excuses himself for the night, claiming fatigue. We’d spent the afternoon touring the city and I can tell by the set of his eyes that he is exhausted. I should be. I am, in fact. But I still can’t believe I’m in Milan and I don’t want to let a second of it slip away, afraid that I’ll wake up back in New York and that this was just a prolonged dream. I’m also equally dreading falling asleep and actually dreaming, because I know that it will be dreams of New York and Tony haunting me, obnoxiously pushing his way into this serene landscape thousands of miles away from him.

Also, I tell myself as I allow Gianni to refill my glass, I don’t want to be rude and abandon my host.

Unfortunately, my host invites my dreaded dream into the dinner conversation. He hadn’t broached the subject of the obscene display he’d witnessed at Ono when Tony was macking all over me, and I was hoping he’d discern my dismay and avoid the subject. But he doesn’t. Boldly asking, “You and Tony. You are partners in more than just business?”

I try to deflect by saying, “We’re in Italy, Gianni. You’re welcome to speak Italian if you’d like.”

He laughs. “My English. It is still offensive to your ears?”

“No. You sound great. But now I can use the practice in Italian.”

“Oh-kay.” In Italian now, saying bluntly, “You evade my question.”

I blush. “I apologize. You shouldn’t have seen that…that display at Ono. And thank you for not mentioning it in front of Mark.”

His eyes flare briefly, but then he looks away from me. Saying quietly, “He calls you Ms. Russo so I assumed discretion was the best option. But you and Tony, I must say, I was surprised. And I was not surprised. Tony, he is a lucky man.”

“He’s only my business partner.”

“Ahh,” he says. “Then he is not so lucky.”

I laugh. “You’re kind.”

Leaning closer, staring at me again, he says, “I see. You wish he was more.”

I blush even harder, take a big swallow of wine. “Why would you say that?”

“Lisa,” he says and looks at me. “There are many things in this world that I know nothing about. But there are a few things that I do know. I know how to make money. And I know women. You are in love with him, yes?”

“Should we be discussing this? I mean, wouldn’t you prefer to be discussing business?”

“No,” he says simply. “When I am having dinner with a beautiful woman, the last thing I want to discuss is business.”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. “It’s just that for the money you’re paying me, I didn’t think you’d care to be giving me advice on love.”

“Lisa,” he says and catches my eyes. Gazing into them, he says, “You are a lovely Italian woman in your blood, but it’s so apparent that you are American by birth. All business, all the time. Trust me when I tell you this. I hired you to do business. Did you know that you were the fourth firm to do the Mets research for me?”

“What? Why?”

He shrugs. “I was looking for the best. It took me four tries to find it. You completed the work much more quickly and much more thoroughly than any of the firms before you.”

“Are you saying that was a prolonged job interview?”

He looks away, and this time he evades my question by answering, “I’m telling you that I am well aware of your business worth. I am also telling you that I like you. I am not American, and therefore not every minute is about the work for me. We have a different way over here. We enjoy life. I am telling you that it is not necessary for me to pay two million dollars to simply have dinner with a beautiful woman.”

“So where is Angelina tonight?” I ask him.

“Ah! You understand then, this separation of work and enjoyment?”

“Yes, I do. I’m afraid I’m just not very good about practicing it. But you didn’t answer my question. Where is Angelina?” He still hesitates, and I know I’m stepping over the line, but since he was questioning me, I boldly tease him. Asking, “Didn’t you have any jewelry for her?”

Catlike, a slow smile spreads across his face. “So you’ve noticed her affinity for diamonds?”

I rub my ear, hesitating. Still shy of treading too heavily, I say, “I’ve noticed your affinity for giving her diamonds.”

“Well,” he says. “I did two days ago. I gave her an engagement ring.”

“Gianni! That’s wonderful. I had no idea, congratulations!”

He takes a deep breath. “She accepted the ring. But she has not yet accepted my proposal.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. What’s wrong?”

“I also asked her to sign a pre-nuptial agreement,” he says sheepishly.

“Well. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“To her, there is very much wrong with that. She is very angry.”

“I guess, maybe, she thinks it’s not very romantic.”

“And I’m afraid it would be tragically romantic, and foolish, to marry someone who cares only for my money,” he says.

“I understand,” I tell him, because I do. “She’ll come around.”

“She is out of town. She is away on a photo shoot. She is a model.”

“Mmm.” I’m not shocked. She has the exotic, stunning looks of a model. “How long have you been dating?”

“Over five years,” he tells me. “You look surprised.”

“Oh, no. It’s just that, well…I thought you dated a lot of women.”

“Oh,” he says with a knowing grin. “So Google also has information on my love life?”

“Of course.”

Gianni takes a long drink of his wine. His deep green eyes don’t sparkle with his candid wit as he looks back to me. He looks as serious as when I watched him contemplating his wineglass at Ono before hiring me. He admits, “It is true. I do love women. I enjoy their company. But if I had my way, I would have only one woman now.”

“Angelina?”

“Yes. Angelina. I like you Lisa, so I don’t mind admitting to you that she is the love of my life.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Ahh,” he sighs. “I am not so certain that I am the love of hers.”

Looking at his handsome features, enjoying his pleasant demeanor, I shake my head and say, “I find that very hard to believe.”

“Why? Because I am so rich?”

I laugh. “No. Um, well. That doesn’t hurt, of course. But no. You’re a great guy, Gianni. I can’t imagine someone not falling for you.”

As he fills my glass with more wine, he says, “Much like I find it hard to believe that Tony is not in love with you. If that is, indeed, what you desire. You never answered my question. You are in love with him?”

He’s been blunt with me, so I open up to him. Simply saying, “Yes. I’m in love with him.”

He looks at me softly. Kindly.

“Ahh, well,” I shrug. Raising my glass, I clink it lightly against his. “Poor us,” I toast.

“It’s a waste, isn’t it?” he asks after he sips. “The two of us here together. And instead of making the most of it, we long for others.”

“I wouldn’t say I was longing for him.”

“I would,” he says and nods knowingly, teasing me ever so slightly. “I know about these things, remember?”

I can’t help but laugh. I guess I was. It is sad. And silly. “It is a shame,” I agree. “Love would be easier if we could strike up mergers the same as we do in business.”

“You mean… What do you mean?”

“I mean, if we could look someone over and investigate them and then just mutually agree that we’re going to fall for each other.”

“That, Lisa,” he clinks his glass against mine and says, “is certainly an idea I could get behind.”