Adding Real Life to Romance

By Jessica E. Subject

In many romances, you have two people who meet and fall in love. While they may have their own insecurities and careers that get in the way, they decide (usually in the end) to let their hearts rule. Nowadays, it is more common for relationships to involve much more. Perhaps there is an ex in the background. Maybe kids. And so many other possibilities. These people can still experience romance and fall in love. Their stories need to be told. And I’m happy to see authors telling them.

With my 1Night Stand story, Sudden Breakaway, Paige Brown is divorced with a career that doesn’t give her much free time. And Jared Barnes, while a retired Marine, is the guardian of his preschool-aged niece and nephew. Time to date? Um, they have none.

But with the help of friends and the magical Madame Eve, they are matched together for a date at a hockey game.

So, do you prefer real life experiences in your romance?

Here’s an excerpt that was inspired by my own children. Enjoy!

What have I done? Jared yanked Dylan off the top of the fridge, holding him under his arm as the kid tried to wiggle free. “Superman can fly. You can’t. If you jump from that high, you’re going to get hurt.”

Once the boy stopped squirming, Jared set him down and rushed over to his niece, who had decided to scribble on his clear cell phone with a marker. “Madison, I know you love everything pink, but my phone does not need a makeover.”

He grabbed the marker and she squealed, escaping under the table and down the hall clutching his phone. His morning had just begun. He couldn’t even take a leak without the kids finding some kind of trouble. Yes, they went to daycare while he worked, but beyond the hours of nine to five, they were all his, and on weekends, he had no pardon. Why on Earth had he thought he could raise two preschoolers on his own?

The doorbell rang.

He glanced down the hall toward the bedrooms, where an ominous silence reigned. With the children quiet, they had to be plotting their next mission to destroy his sanity. Or perhaps they’d already started. Shrugging, he headed for the door, risking a future disaster to see who stood on his porch.

Dylan came charging at him, his dark eyes wide, reminding him of his sister when she was a child. “Someone’s at the door. Who is it, Uncle Jared?”

The boy skidded straight across the slippery linoleum, his body slamming into Jared’s knees.

Jared stumbled back, trying to regain his balance, and grasped the doorknob. The latch clicked open. Losing his footing again, he stumbled to the floor, his nephew landing on top of him. Groaning, he glanced up at the woman standing above him; his former commander’s wife. “Can I help you, Mrs. Collins?

She lifted Dylan and balanced him on her hip. “From the look of things, I think I can help you.” Slipping off her shoes, she lined them on the mat beside the rest of the footwear and continued into the house. “I’m giving you the day off.”

What? He’d dreamed about time to himself since the day after his niece and nephew had arrived, but had accepted that would never happen. Not until the preschoolers were old enough to stay on their own, anyway.

He hopped to his feet, shut the door, and followed them into the living room. Madison had materialized out of nowhere, to join her brother, the pair of them sitting on either side of Mrs. Collins, their lopsided halos balancing atop their horns. Why couldn’t they sit as still when no one else was around?

Sudden Breakaway

A 1Night Stand story

By Jessica E. Subject

Erotic Sci-Fi/Military Romance

ISBN: 978-1613333730

Dressed in her black designer suit, Paige Brown recruits men and women for the Space Service. After the end of her marriage, and several failed recruiting missions, she yearns to find a way out of her lifelong contract to live a normal life. To find love again.

Jared Barnes’s life had been flipped upside down by two little kids. When his former Commander’s wife shows up to give him a reprieve, he jumps at the chance for a break, and to visit his former squad. But it is not his buddies he meets in the private suite at a hockey game, instead a woman who has been the star of all of his recent fantasies, fulfills his wildest dreams except the one that binds his heart.

Has Madame Eve made a mistake or can two lonely hearts overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles?

Available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers.

More information

Bio:

Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous. 

When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.

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Authorgraph

Bunny interviews Paige from Sudden Breakaway

For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Bunny. I’m a demon and I’m here today on the 1NS blog to do my monthly character chat. This month, I’m chatting with a sexy recruiter, Paige, from Sudden Breakaway.

Hello, Bunny. Thanks for having me today. *straightens the back of her skirt and sits on the stool opposite Bunny*

I have to tell you we have a lot in common. I too recruit. Of course it’s a different kind of recruiting, but I feel this connection. *snaps fingers and changes into a Space Service uniform* That’s better. As I was saying, I feel this bond. We are both after souls. She’s gathering a few good men and women for a space station and I collect for...well that’s for another day. Needless to say, it’s hard work. Very h-a-r-d at times. *Gives Paige a pointed stare*

Now, I’ve stalked my share of candidates, and I’ll have to tell you I’ve put some serious mileage on the stilettos.  But sometimes you get lucky and stumble onto them. For instance, I was in the DMV the other day, getting my license renewed. The lady at the counter snapped my picture and I have to tell you, anyone that can make me look bad, has some serious talent. I was all for signing her, then I realized she looked familiar, I mean, I see a lot of different faces in my line of business, but something about her just rang a bell. Then I remembered. She was one of my first souls.

It’s awesome to see your recruits excelling.

You have no idea how many people will sell their soul for a decent driver’s license picture. The chick has quite the racket and damn, she knows how to work it. I almost had to sell my non-existent soul to get a redo. Of course I can be real persuasive and convinced her there were worse places to work than the DMV. *Holds up driver’s license* She can take a good picture if you twist her arm a little. *Blows on nails* Pressure points do the trick every time.

Oh where was I? Yes, the interview. Today on 1NS I’m talking with the lovely Paige Brown.  *Eyes the sexy brunette across from her.* Great suit. Where do you shop?

I don’t, really. The Space Service mandates everything we wear. *rolls eyes* And like I have time to go shopping anyway, always travelling across the country to find fresh meat to sign their life away. Your outfit is very cute though. I only wish our outfits looked more like yours.

Me? This little old thing? I stole it off one of the women on the Space Station. It looks better on me anyway.

Give us an idea of the average day of a Space Service recruiter.

On my research days, I scan the multitude of files about the man or woman I’m scheduled to recruit. I’m always catching the first flights available in the morning, so I can scope out the possible recruits neighborhood, make sure there is no information that the Space Service missed, and then in the afternoon, I go in for the kill, wining and dining the prospect until they agree. I may be there for a couple of days, or weeks, if that’s what it takes. As soon as the contract is signed, I fly back home, send in my report, and get a good night of sleep, knowing that in the morning someone else’s files will be waiting for me.

Have you ever been on the station? If not, why?

No. I was supposed to. But the portal was destroyed in an attempt to prevent terrorists from getting hold of the technology. A new one is being constructed at the moment to transport all the new recruits there, but I’m in no hurry to see it finished. My good-for-nothing ex-husband is up on the space station with his new fling, and I have no desire to ever see him again, or to meet her.

How many souls have you taken? I mean, how many men and women have you recruited?  I myself, have at least a legion under my belt, give or take a thousand.

Ha ha. A great comparison, really. If only I’d known what I was signing up for the day my husband and I joined the Space Service. I’ve recruited many, but only twenty have made it through training.

What qualities do you look for in candidates?

Intelligence, of course. They must be able to suspend disbelief. There are aliens out there, and anyone traveling to the space station will meet all kinds. And following orders is a must. This is where most fail.

Why a 1Night Stand? What made you apply to Madame Eve’s service?

I had a day off, which is rare. And belonging to the Space Service does not give me much time to date. I wanted to bypass the getting-to-know one another stage and get right to the main course. I heard through whispered rumors about 1Night Stand, and thought I’d give it a try.

Madame Eve has an extensive questionnaire. Can you tell me the “must possess skills” you asked for your match to have?

I kept thinking about my last prospect as I filled out the form. He turned down my offer, but I couldn’t get him out of my head.

When Jared Barnes opened the door and you noticed he was your date, what was your first  thought? Be honest. I can tell if you’re lying. *Wags finger at Paige*

I was ready to jump him right there. But the angry look on his face held me back. I mean, I couldn’t believe Madame Eve matched me up with the guy I’d been fantasizing about since I first opened his file.

So, a hockey game. Tell me, did you even watch it or were you too busy playing in the penalty box? Get it, penalty—box? *frowns* Okay, trying to lighten the mood in here. I’ll stay away from the euphemisms. Sheesh.

I think we saw a couple seconds here and there. It took him a few minutes to realize I wasn’t trying to use the game as another means to recruit him. Let’s just say, we never felt the cold in the arena, and the first goal was exhilarating.

Now the question on everyone’s mind. How does that tall dark drink of water look naked? *Leans closer* Okay, maybe not on everyone’s mind, but I’ve been looking at his profile shot and damn, girl. Score! You put the puck in the goal there. I think I want to go where you’ve been recruiting.

He’s damn fine, everything I’d fantasized about, and more. Solid muscle.

So, is there any truth in the correlation of boot size to er, you know? Too personal? Please, I’m keeping this on low simmer. Trust me. You really don’t want me to turn up the heat.

Let’s just say, I will never be complaining about his size.

         

Okay, now for the quickies. You do, do quickies, don’t you? Splendid. *Claps hands together*

How tall does he have to be to get on the ride?

Taller than me.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate, of course.

Boxers or briefs?

I’m not picky as long as they come off quickly.

Beer or champagne?

Whatever is offered.

Mustache or clean-shaven?

Clean-shaven, though I don’t mind a little stubble now and again.

Skin art or unaltered canvas?

I’m not picky there

.

Does size matter?

Always.

Have you sold your soul yet?

Yes, when I signed with the Space Service.

Oops, sorry. I get a little carried away sometimes. Thanks for stopping by and giving us the scoop on your date. I understand you have a tell-all book out about your night called, Sudden Breakaway. You can buy Sudden Breakaway HERE

Okay, keep your eyes open next month when I interview a hot marketing guy with eyes only for his boss, or is it the other way around?

Ciao, lovelies!

Sudden Breakaway Blurb

Dressed in her black designer suit, Paige Brown recruits men and women for the Space Service. After the end of her marriage, and several failed recruiting missions, she yearns to find a way out of her lifelong contract to live a normal life. To find love again.

Jared Barnes’s life had been flipped upside down by two little kids. When his former Commander’s wife shows up to give him a reprieve, he jumps at the chance for a break, and to visit his former squad. But it is not his buddies he meets in the private suite at the hockey game, instead a woman who has been the star of all of his recent fantasies.

Now available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers.

More Information & Buy Links

Bio:

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.

Website/Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon

5 Reasons to Read Power Play

by Emily Cale

1. It features TWO super hot hockey players. You know, the big alpha males with the broad shoulders? That's right. Two of them.

2. It also features a strong heroine who is woman enough to take on both of them.

3. Unless you get one of those channels that replays old hockey games during the off season, you've gone the last couple months without your hockey fix. This will help tide you over.

4. Want to know a secret? Well, my characters might have a few. You'll have to ask them though because I'm sworn to secrecy.

5. You read book 1 in the Hat Trick Trilogy, GOALIE INTERFERENCE, and you need to read the sequel to find out what happens to the characters. You haven't read the first book? It's still on sale at Smashwords through September 3rd using the code KN34U.

Need more convincing? I'll give one commenter an ebook copy of Goalie Interference to help them catch up on the series. Just tell me something you love about hockey, sports in general, or winter. If you can't think of anything (shame on you), then just say hi. I won't hold it against you.

Power Play by Emily Cale

 Natalie Fritz didn't need a night of sexual adventure as payment for setting her friend up, but she wouldn't turn it down either. Determined to make sure she gets exactly what she wants, she makes a call to Madame Eve and requests not one, but two dates for the evening. What she doesn't expect is for those men to be players on her friend's hockey team.

Ian and Todd find that sharing women provides all parties with more pleasure. Finding someone who buys into their theory is a little harder. So they turn to Madame Eve's 1 Night Stand service to find them a partner. When they meet Natalie, they discover a gorgeous woman who turns them on physically and intellectually.

Everyone knows that relationships are meant to be between two people, but what happens when it takes three to make the night worthwhile? Can they take a leap of faith or will their time be limited to one night?

About the Author

 Emily Cale spent the majority of her childhood as a visitor to the worlds of her favorite authors. With encouragement from her English teachers, she put pen to paper and began imagining her own stories. Preferring the fascinating lives of her characters, she majored in creative writing. When not lost in a manuscript or a good book, she enjoys crocheting, rock climbing, and playing board games. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and a very spoiled cat.

Feel free to stalk her on her website, Twitter, or Facebook.