Blurb:
Mary Jane has given up on men when she reluctantly travels to New
Orleans for a weekend getaway with girlfriends. Stubborn and determined
to steer clear of trouble, she’s sealed her sensuality under lock and
key. Fate intervenes, however, with a chance to rediscover her sexual
self. She will encounter three spirits – each one with an erotic test
that will compel her to confront deeply held inhibitions and fears. She
accepts the challenge and embarks on a decadent, daring, and
unforgettable journey into paranormal pleasure.
Excerpt:
Mary
Jane gulped. Placing the strap of her purse firmly over her shoulder,
she inhaled a hefty draft of cool air into her lungs. Here goes nothing. Then she walked up the sidewalk, toward the front door of the book shop.
An
unseen bell jangled as she opened the door and quickly looked around.
The shop was jammed with shelves, but there wasn’t another person in
sight. Not even an employee came forward as she stepped inside and
strolled cautiously down an aisle. The air welcomed her, though, with
the deliciously familiar scent of paper and ink.
Books.
The
smell was comfortingly consistent; just like the public library or the
Barnes and Noble near her house, and to Mary Jane’s nose, more enticing
than freshly baked cookies. She let her fingers trail down a neatly
arranged row of novels, the perfectly straight spines smooth to her
touch. Passing a display of cookbooks, she turned down another aisle.
Ghosts of New Orleans
read the spidery silver script on an oval-shaped purple cardboard sign.
She stopped, glancing at the titles. Glossy and unspoiled, the book
jackets begged to be picked up and read. She stroked one cover, a black
and white photograph of the French Quarter from the 1920s, but she
didn’t remove it from the shelf. She read the words Historical Hauntings from another, the bold crimson printing catching her eyes. Then she saw a small black clothbound book, jacketless. Ghost Lover,
the ornate embossed gold lettering in the worn cover proclaimed. She
reached out her right hand, intending flip through a few pages.
“Excellent taste, young lady,” The voice made Mary Jane jump. She dropped her hand and whirled around.
He
was tall and sandy-haired, with hawk-like eyebrows that dominated his
almond-shaped brown eyes, tiny crows’ feet fanning out from the corners.
Well-shaped lips curled in amusement at her shock. “Did I surprise
you?” he asked in a flawlessly articulated English accent, sounding
rather like the headmaster of an expensive private school.
“Yes,” Mary Jane answered defensively, her fingers itching as if the impulse to touch the book had burned her.
“Go ahead,” the man urged. “Pick it up, it’s an intriguing story.”
Mary
Jane glanced back at the book, small and faded, so nondescript. Yet she
had an overwhelming desire to shove it in her purse and run out of the
bookshop.
“Books
have that effect on people, don’t they? The urge to escape into fiction
can be rather overwhelming.” His voice was rich, like a heavy drizzle
of caramel, and Mary Jane couldn’t help but look up at him again. He
narrowed his eyes even as he smiled, and proffered his hand. “Barrett
Stone, at your service.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Stone.”
His eyes flickered as he looked her up and down. “No need to be so formal, Mary Jane. You can call me Barrett.”
Oh shit.
“Are you…? Are you one of the…?” She let her voice trail into a
whisper, to his very visible amusement. “Are you one of the spirits?”
He
nodded slowly and with one large hand, he plucked the book from the
shelf and handed it to Mary Jane. “Here, this is yours to keep. Now,” he
offered her his elbow, “I hope you’ll do me the honor of accompanying
me.” It was not a question.
Mary
Jane accepted the book and slid it inside her purse before placing her
hand on his arm, deceptively strong beneath the elegant tailoring of his
suit coat. “Where are we going?” She was almost afraid to ask, but
Driver’s words reverberated in her head. Don’t be afraid to be scared.
She hoped his advice was right.
Buy Link:
About the Author:
Lush Jones is a Texas writer of erotica, fantasy, and anything in
between. She wrote her first racy story at the tender age of 14,
although the details were somewhat lacking. Fortunately, her imagination
has improved since then. She loves New Orleans, red wine, and men who
love ballsy women.
Connect With The Author:
Giveaway:
Enter to win one of three $25 Amazon gift cards on the New Orleans
Lover Tour & Giveaway! Open WW, this giveaway will run 11/26/14 –
12/24/14. Enter through Rafflecopter.
Thx for the spotlight!
ReplyDeleteThis is fun. An erotic twist on a classic Christmas tale.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it could be a sexy turn-around on a great Christmas story!
ReplyDelete