UPDATE: The winner is…Cheryl!
*~*~*

It takes a snake? I can already imagine your eyebrows and frowns in disbelief as you respond, “To do what?” Like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a snake to create community. What kind of community you talkin’ ’bout, Willis? The enmity placed between humanity and snakes in Genesis 3:15 is still real. What kind of community could be created by something so villainous as a snake? When I saw one crawling along the wall this week in my backyard I cringed. Yuk and yikes! I breathed a sigh of relief when it slithered away to the front yard. I raked the grounds to make sure there weren’t any others hiding there.

Two days later as I went to get the mail, I noticed a neighbor standing stock-still in front of his garage holding a rake and staring very pointedly at something I couldn’t see on the far side of his car. Sure enough, it was a snake. He didn’t want to kill it because he wasn’t sure what kind it was. “Bull snakes are good snakes,” he said, but if it were a rattler he’d have to kill it. We couldn’t see a rattle on the tail, but then we wondered if it might be a baby without a rattle yet. I stood in solidarity with my neighbor and stared at the slimy intruder. What to do, what to do?

At that moment my husband—traveling to visit family—called to say goodnight. I told him what was happening, and he said, “Call Spence. He knows all about snakes.” Spence is a good friend and fellow church member. I took a picture and messaged it to him. He called right back and said it was a baby king snake. Definitely non-venomous. Spence said you can tell venomous snakes from non-venomous ones by the shape of their pupils. Venomous snakes have slit pupils like cat’s eyes. Non-venomous ones have round pupils like dogs. I don’t think my cat Scully would appreciate the comparison. My neighbor and I peered at the photo and agreed the eyes looked round. Spence said he’d be over in fifteen minutes to take the snake back to the desert.

By now my neighbor’s wife had joined us. She helped trap the snake beneath a bucket. We introduced ourselves—me, Anna, he and she, John and Jeanette. We shared how long we’d lived on the block, where we were from, our experiences, and lack thereof, with snakes and our mutual hatred of the creatures.

Spence arrived, picked the little guy up and told us how it could grow to six or eight feet long. Shudder. He put it in a pillowcase and assured us it would be happier in the desert. John, Jeanette, and I wholeheartedly agreed. Spence drove off, John and Jeanette went back into their snake-free house, and I continued on to pick up the mail. It took a snake to create community between us.

So for a chance at a $10 Amazon gift card, share in the comments about an encounter where you got to know a neighbor better.

One Breath Away

Sentenced to hang for a crime she didn’t commit, former slave Mary Hamilton was exonerated at literally the last gasp. She returns to Safe Haven, broken and resigned to live alone. She’s never been courted, cuddled or spooned, and now no man could want her, not when sexual satisfaction comes only with the thought of asphyxiation. But then the handsome stranger who saved her shows up, stealing her breath from across the room and promising so much more.

Wealthy, freeborn-Black, Eban Thurman followed Mary to Safe Haven, believing the mysteriously exotic woman was foretold by the stars. He must marry her to reclaim his family farm. But first he must help her heal, and to do that means revealing his own predilection for edgier sex.

Excerpt from One Breath Away…

On the rise overlooking Harvest Home, Banker Judah Little sat, his mouth stretched in horror.

“My God, what’s wrong with her?” He stared transfixed at the cabin, his hands clasped and shaking.

“No doubt reliving the torment of death.” A grudging smile graced Judge Aaron “Hangman” Denton’s face. “No one who cheats the hangman enjoys any kind of peace

After hundreds of pronouncements and hundreds of executions, he’d seen it all. He preferred these civil hangings to the military executions by firing squad he’d ordered during the War of Northern Aggression. Bullets brought death so quickly, he always felt cheated. But a hanging…His smile broadened. There was so much more to enjoy when there was a hanging.

The snap of the neck.

The sway of the body.

The discharge of the bowels.

He tongued the snuff in his cheek and spat the brown liquid into the dirt. The scents of sage and tobacco laced each breath he took.

Mary Hamilton had been his only failure. Crime deserved punishment. What difference did being a woman make? He’d condemned her to hang. Damn interfering crowd. And where in hell had that horseman come from? She’d be dead now but for him and those bleeding-heart busybodies.

Buy link: Amazon – https://amzn.to/2VT5u0F

Michal Scott Amazon Author Page – https://amzn.to/2TSHzRn

I know we’ve all had that one crush in high school. That guy/girl that looked right through you, while you scribbled their name in your notebook. Fantasized about them day and night. And watch from afar as they date other people, wishing it were you. It’s a major blow to your self-esteem and you even find yourself wondering what’s wrong with you? Why doesn’t he/she see me? Well, in my current release, Zoe has just about had it with Rafe Montgomery. Waiting for him to notice her. Waiting for him to make the first move. This is the twenty-first century, right? Women don’t sit around hoping a guy will toss them a crumb. Not anymore. We go after what we want. The question is, will Rafe take what Zoe’s offering or will she be left to nurse a broken heart?

Rafe: A Men of Silverlake Novella

This year is sure to be her hottest Christmas yet…

Rafe Montgomery has one goal. Get the hell out of Silverlake before the annual Christmas bash. Everyone in town shows up to celebrate the festive holiday, including Zoe VanBurn. Rafe has fantasized about the cute brunette one too many times. But there’s a very clear hands-off vibe—thanks to Zoe’s big brother Ace. Still, the innocent smiles and teasing remarks she tosses his way are getting harder to ignore. Escaping to sunny Florida is Rafe’s only hope. So when Zoe shows up on the beach wearing a sexy red bikini, Rafe goes down like a sinking ship. Having Zoe in the tropical paradise away from big brother’s watchful eye? Yeah, that’s sure to spell trouble.

A twenty-four-year-old virgin and in love with a man who looks right through her. That’s Zoe VanBurn’s reality. In high school, she sat back and watched as Rafe flirted with other girls. Still, Zoe has kept hope alive because deep down she knows that Rafe belongs to her. They aren’t in high school anymore and Zoe isn’t the same shy girl she used to be. He might be running scared, but Zoe knows exactly what she wants for Christmas…and she’ll use every trick in the book to get him!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B095T2QYYK/

About the Author

Bestselling author Anne Rainey, “wastes no time getting right to the erotic heart” (Publishers Weekly). She is published by Kensington and Entangled Publishing. Her books have won numerous awards and have been translated into Italian and German. In addition, Anne has dipped her toes into self-publishing with her exciting paranormal series: The Zenarians. Anne is from the Midwest and has had a variety of odd careers, including sales associate, nail technician, chiropractic assistant, and restaurant hostess. Her love of books has opened her up to a thrilling career as a romance author. Her stories are filled with passion, love, and the sometimes-exasperating bonds of family.

Find Anne:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annerainey
Rainey’s Readers Private Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/785284435328066/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annerainey49/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annerainey15
Website: https://www.annerainey.com/ –download the first chapter *free* of all my books!

Happy reading,
Anne Rainey

It’s my birthday today! And I’m giving the gift!

My family did the cake (cheesecake, yum!) and gift thing yesterday (the 12-year-old has a minor surgery today). They also took me out to dinner. They gave me wonderful things that proved they know me all too well—a project rack for my art room, a Groundhog Day Pop! figurine, an astronaut in a snowglobe, taco-shaped Post-Its, a To-Do list tablet, a hedgehog-shaped jeweled box, etc. All perfectly random and kitschy gifts—things to make me smile.

I thought I’d share my happy mood with you today. Be sure to download your free copy of Johnny Blaze!

Download your copy now!

UPDATE: The winner is…Eileen McCall!
*~*~*

My ex-husband and I used movies as the nanny for our daughter. (No judgment!) I took her to the theaters when she was two months old. She didn’t know what was going on, but it was a loud action movie that she nursed and slept through—all of it. When I walked out, people commented that they didn’t know a baby was in the theater or asked, “the noises didn’t bother her?”. Nope, she literally slept like a baby. This inevitably made our daughter the movie addict that she is today. I will say, there are some movies we went to see, and I made the mistake of not watching the trailer—our choice was based on actors we liked. We had to sneak out at the end because we didn’t want anyone to know we took our seven-year-old to see Bad Teacher with Diaz and Timberlake. After that, we ruled that she could see any action, suspense, rom-com, but when it came to comedies, we must watch the trailer AND check the rating wasn’t NC 17. Now that it is just my daughter and me over the last six years, we have taken our movie watching in the theaters to a whole new level.

We used to go to the movies on Thursday night at midnight because that was when the new films dropped, and she loved going to school on Friday to tell her friends that she’d already seen the latest Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Twilight. She was the Siskel & Ebert of primary school (never a spoiler). Then people started doing horrible scary and life-changing actions, and now movies drop at a safer time. So, we still go on Thursdays, just early evening.  Most of my friends on the weekends invite me to dinner and a movie by first asking, “What haven’t you seen?”. But, I will easily lie and not tell them I’ve seen a movie they want to watch because I don’t mind seeing a movie twice. Shhh. Actually, I’ve seen movies four times in two weeks, because a different friend has asked me to go. I’m not one of those people who goes and can’t help talking through a movie with comments like “watch this.” I laugh when they laugh and still cry at touching scenes. As an author, I use those touching scenes to harvest the emotion I feel in a moment for a book I am writing.

My daughter is now in college, and we have the same taste in movies. We don’t do horror, spiritual thriller, or stupid comedies.  Now, you may be thinking at the moment, “Yvette, you haven’t said anything out of the ordinary.” You’re right. So, let me confess the level of our addiction.

We are members of our local movie theater, so we get our local fix for pennies on the dollar at each attendance. We take our movie going on the road. So, when we are making plans for a trip out of town or the country…we check how far the nearest theater is from the hotel. It is nothing to find us in the movies in Time Square, San Diego, New Jersey, or Quebec City. We are making plans to go to Washington State and South Korea, and we’ve already started scouting the theaters. By the way, if you are ever in Fort Lee, New Jersey, visit the iPic Theater; it is a marvelous experience.

My name is Yvette Hines, and I am a cinema addict.

Are you a cinema addict? If you are,
let me know the last movie you went to the theater to see. 😊

To Kiss a Flame

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): 4 flames

The one thing that Aubrey Carsen always wanted was to be a firefighter with her two friends. She returns home to her small town and new firehouse, with secrets following her, only to prove herself like a proby. But she can take it. Soon she discovers that a man from her past, an old high school crush—a man too sexy to be wrapped up in a suit all day—is too close for comfort. The day she rescues a little boy from a tree, things begin to unfold in a way she never expected. Now, being back in town has a whole new outlook. Is it possible that her time has finally come and everything she’s wanted will fall in line? Even as she is afraid to believe it.

Pierce Emory, the bank loan manager, has been burned by love for the last time. His ex-fiancé walks out on him the week before their wedding, and he can’t see himself getting lost in love again. Then his beautiful, tough neighbor comes knocking at his door in a storm. She’s sexy as hell, but there’s something about her he can’t place. When he discovers the curvy beauty was the good girl from high school, the home before dark, and straight A’s, quiet type, he can’t believe her transformation. Now, she’s back in town, and the old spark between them has ignited into a flame that threatens to scorch them both.

Get your copy here!

CONTEST

Drawing ONE winner from those who comment on my Let’s All Go to the Movies post on Delilah’s blog between June 21 – 28 June 2021. The winner will get an e-Copy of To Kiss a Flame, a Hero candle, and $10 Amazon GC.

Yvette Hines Social Media
Website https://yvettehines.com
Twitter @sasseYvetteH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yvette.hines.16/
Pinterest: yvettehines16
Instagram: _hinesyvette_
Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1016365.Yvette_Hines
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/yvette-hines
Amazon Author Page: https://smile.amazon.com/Yvette-Hines/e/B005SEBSKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Get to know Yvette Hines better by signing up for an email newsletter: https://yvettehines.com/newsletter-stay-connected/

UPDATE: The winners are…Mechelle, Cheryl Bowers, and Ani!
*~*~*

I’m working away at a new collection of short stories from some very talented authors—sexy stories all centered around cowboys! In the meantime, because I love to share these books and introduce you to authors you might not know, I want to make sure you know where to find these books. All my anthologies are listed on my Collections website. They are full-sized books—none less than 60,000 words—and ALL of the ones we published ourselves are available for just $0.99! A STEAL. We want you to read them, so we’re making sure cost is not an impediment! Be sure to visit the site and peruse the available titles: Delilah’s Collections

Contest

Comment for a chance to win a download of one of the full-size books below. You can tell me whether you love short stories. Tell me what theme you’d like to see for the next one. Or just ramble about what you’ll be doing while you’re reading the sexy shorties in this collection (passing time in a dentist’s office, reading sexy stories to your significant other in bed at night, etc.). Just be sure to comment!

Here’s what you might win (click on the covers to learn more):

Open Contests & Giveaways

1. Cratered Weekend? (Puzzle-Contest) — Win a FREE book!
2. FREE Read! See what happens when Beauty meets Beast! — Everyone, get your FREE short story! (It’s a sexy one!)
3. Tell Me a Story (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

For your reading pleasure… Just click on the cover to get your FREE copy!

Have You Ever…

Broken your own rules? Done something impulsive and reckless? Well, sometimes you do have to take risks. That’s how memories are made, right? I can honestly tell you that I didn’t make it to fifty-three without a few wild memories of my own. There was that one time when I was about twenty…wait, maybe I should keep that to myself. Haha! At any rate, life is dull if you don’t let down your hair from time to time. Sure, you’ll make a few mistakes, but I can tell you from experience that it’s worth it. *wink, wink*

Anyway, that’s exactly what happens to the rather stringent Lauren Clark in my latest release. She’s the type to read all those pesky terms and conditions. She works hard and prefers her men domesticated. And taking a walk on the wild side? Yeah, that’s never going to happen! But after her boyfriend dumps her Lauren ends up pouring her heart out to a handsome stranger. His silver-eyed stare and wicked grin tempts her. And there’s nothing tame in the way he kisses. So maybe, just this once, Lauren will gamble everything for a single night of passion. But what happens when she finds out she’s been deceived? Ah! Let the games begin! 🙂

Dirty Deception—Last Chance to Call You Mine Anthology

For a single night with her, he’ll be whatever she craves…

Lauren Clark has landed the job of her dreams and she’s ready to celebrate. When her boyfriend dumps her via text message, Lauren finds herself baring her soul to the dark-haired stranger two barstools over. Going home with the delicious hottie probably wasn’t the wisest move. And how was she to know that her Mr. All-Night-Long would end up being her new boss?

Alexander Costa isn’t one to second guess a good thing. And the sweet redhead with the luscious curves is a damn good thing. When her boyfriend is a no-show, Alexander seizes a chance to make Lauren forget all about her broken heart. Sure, maybe he knew exactly who she was the instant he walked into the bar. Maybe he has a rule about office romance. But just this once Alexander doesn’t want to be heir to the Costa fortune. He only wants to be the man that makes Lauren burn…

Also, keep your eye out for Dirty Addiction (Chloe’s story), May 2022!

Universal Purchase link for Last Chance to Call You Mine Anthology: https://books2read.com/u/mBZR7k

About the Author

Bestselling author Anne Rainey, “wastes no time getting right to the erotic heart” (Publishers Weekly). She is published by Kensington and Entangled Publishing. Her books have won numerous awards and have been translated into Italian and German. In addition, Anne has dipped her toes into self-publishing with her exciting paranormal series: The Zenarians. Anne is from the midwest and has had a variety of odd careers, including sales associate, nail technician, chiropractic assistant, and restaurant hostess. Her love of books has opened her up to a thrilling career as a romance author. Her stories are filled with passion, love, and the sometimes-exasperating bonds of family.

Find Anne:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annerainey
Rainey’s Readers Private Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/785284435328066/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annerainey49/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annerainey15
Website: https://www.annerainey.com/ –download the first chapter *free* of all my books!

Happy reading,
Anne Rainey