Only REAL Guys Need Apply

Buy One Knight in Brooklyn HERE

By Casea Major

Sometimes in romance we tend to feminize our heroes because—let’s face it—sometimes real guys just aren’t that romantic. But I love when a writer can take a real man with chest hair, one-word answers, and a temper and make them a swoon-worthy hero.

I love this song by Brad Paisley which sums it up quite nicely.

My hero, Robert, in One Knight in Brooklyn is like that. He’s not always politically correct and his manners may need some polish, but he is one of my all-time favorite heroes. At times he’s a little crass, but there’s no question he’s all man. And there is no question he is up to the challenge of saving the heroine…and doing other stuff for her too.

After signing up for a one-night stand through an exclusive matching agency, hopeless romantic Marianne Caldwell is swept away to a medieval land where she hopes to spend the night with a worthy man of honor.

Unsure of how she got from the Castillo Hotel in Las Vegas to a castle in the English countryside, Mare finds Robert, whose stunning physique and winning smile immediately convince her he's the Robin Hood she's been seeking.  But despite his efforts in saving her from a corrupt sheriff, his Jersey Shore accent and coarse ways unravel her romantic visions.

With her fairytale fantasies coming unhinged, Mare must decide if Robert is just a crass car salesman from Brooklyn or the chivalrous knight she's looking for.

Here is an excerpt of just how delicious Robert MacKnight can be. I hope you enjoy.

“Well, Dallas, what did a pretty gal like you expect from this deal?”

There was no way in hell she would answer that question. So she employed her stellar skills of diversion and subterfuge. “What did a guy like you expect from this deal?” Okay, maybe not the cleverest line she’d ever come up with, but this guy with his mesmerizing eyes messed up her mojo.

He leaned back with his elbow on the mattress and flashed a brilliant smile. She swallowed hard. “To get to know a lovely young woman such as yourself and have a little adventure. You think you can handle that?”

Could he be any more cocky? His thinly veiled innuendo struck her with the delicacy of a baseball bat. No question he was hot. From a purely physical standpoint, he was perfection, but did anything rattle around behind those blue eyes?

She crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her chin. “What I want to know is, can you handle that?”

Oops, she hadn’t meant for that to sound like a challenge or an invitation, but even to her own ears, it did. He stood, his long legs closing the distance between them in two strides. She braced her legs to hold her ground, but retreated toward a wall. So much for holding my ground. Pressing her head back against a branch, she looked up into his even stare. God, his eyes were Ceylon blue, his lips full and lush. He stopped in front of her, but continued to lower his head toward hers. Other than the rustling wind, only her ragged breathing sounded amongst the leaves.

Robert braced his hands on either side of her shoulders, effectively trapping her between him and the tree. Every cell in her body buzzed with electrical current, and her gaze helplessly transfixed on him. The lids of his eyes lowered, and his straight nose brushed against hers.

“Can I kiss you?” His whispered request tickled her skin.

Chills swept over her heated body. Her knees gave way, and she sighed out some inaudible response he apparently took as affirmative. He brushed her lips with a kiss.

With agonizing leisure, his mouth eased over hers, first feathering her closed lips then caressing each one between his. His velvety flesh wisped like flower petals against hers, and the aroma of fresh mint scented his breath. The languid motion of his kiss ignited a desire that throbbed all the way down between her legs. The longer he lingered, the hotter she burned. He never sped his pace or reached for her in any other way. It was only a kiss, yet so much more.

His warm tongue slipped between her lips and slowly explored her mouth, sliding across her teeth and stroking her tongue. A soft moan escaped her and excruciating tension built in her core with each lazy thrust.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and trailed her fingers down his hips as she molded to his body. He gasped and ended the kiss. The staggering length of his arousal pressed into her abs and the burn in her sex flared into a raging inferno.

He rested his forehead against the tree, and she laid her hands on his chest with his body lightly molded to hers. The heat radiating between them smoldered hotter than the Vegas asphalt at high noon. His breaths were steady, but his heart pounded against her open palms.

His voice, deep and husky, sounded near her ear. “Maybe. Maybe not, Dallas.”

She opened her eyes. “Huh?”

He kept his eyes closed and rubbed his cheek against hers. “I was just answering your earlier question.”

She couldn’t remember the question. She'd be lucky to remember her own name.

Major Love ~~~ Major Romance

Prior to becoming a writer of romantic fiction, Casea Major worked in the legal field for a non-profit dispute resolution company for ten years.  She is now a full-time mom to three children with whom she and her husband live happily...most of the time.  When she isn't chained to her laptop, she enjoys Cary Grant movies and crocheting.

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Expectations ~ One Knight in Brooklyn ~ a new 1NS by Casea Major

 At times we, as human beings, have high expectations for our lives.  It's good to have goals and reach for the stars for how else can we see what's possible.  To prepare and plan for the future is a good thing.  And to gain something long desired through effort and hard work is satisfying.  But sometimes we get our hearts set on something that isnot only unrealistic, but will ultimately make us unhappy.

Several years ago when I was still young and single, neither of which I am now, I bought a Mustang convertible.  I'd always wanted one, craved one.  Of course it had to be the V-8 engine fully-loaded, and I thought it would make me happy.  On beautiful days there was nothing like driving around with the top down.  But I never considered the consequences of having that car.  The least of which was not the cost of the payment and insurance, not to mention all the speeding tickets.  Getting in and out of the damn thing was another issue.  And please don't remind me of the cost of gas.  

In truth, what I wanted was the idea of my hair blowing in the breeze and the attention that driving a flirty car brings.  And it did not make me happy.  Don't get me wrong.  I was glad for the experience of owning it, and there were genuine times of joy in that car. (heehee – I will say no more)  But it taught me a valuable lesson -- When you drive with the top down, hair gets in your face and the tangles are a bitch to comb out.

This was the idea behind my 1Night Stand story, One Knight in Brooklyn.  

Like me, my heroine, Marianne longs for something she thinks she wants.  But her desire isn't based in reality.  It's based in a fantasy world that doesn't exist. 

Victoria, the mysterious concierge, gives Marianne this piece of advice:

“My grandfather was a mariner, and he always said the Treasure of Cortez would never be found until the one who sought it looked beyond their desire. Many wondrous treasures are often overlooked, Ms. Caldwell, for those that seek them cannot see beyond their own expectations.”

When we have our hearts set on something, it's hard to look past expectations to see what the results of gaining our desire will bear.  To let go of a long held wish is difficult.  But I believe, when we're able to see past those false expectations and let go of them—for the right reasons— we are blessed with something far better.  A deeper understanding of ourselves.

Here is an excerpt of One Knight in Brooklyn where Marianne sees Robert her 1NS date for the first time:

She tentatively walked along the forest’s edge down into the rolling hills of the meadow. The high grass tickled her calves, and the smell of clover scented the air. A rustling in the undergrowth of the forest followed by a melodic whistle startled her. She froze.

A man stepped out of the forest clad in tight brown leggings and a blousy ecru tunic. Though the shirt laced in a V-neck, he wore it loose, revealing a patch of hair against tanned skin that stretched over his chest and broad shoulders. She indulged in the masculine treat.

Catching her gaze, he strode toward her with the confidence of a master champion. She quietly gasped, pinned by sapphire eyes sparkling with a sensual promise he could surely make good on. He'd tied a light wool cape at his neck and it casually fell over his shoulder. Short hair framed his head in brown waves, and his freshly-shaven face relaxed in composure.

He smiled, revealing a deep dimple and straight white teeth. Her breath quickened, and her mouth went dry. She wanted him right then. And somehow it didn’t matter where she was as long as he accompanied her.

Perfectly proportioned, he fit her precise specifications. Her gaze flitted to his crotch. Though covered by the tunic, enough of a bulge pressed against the gauzy fabric to assure her of the fulfillment of even that desire. This man wasn’t a knight; he was a god. Strong.Magnificent….

And then her paradigm shifted as something unfortunate happened—he spoke.

One Knight inBrooklyn is available for purchase on the Decadent website and at most major retailers.  Go get it now – before they run out!   LOL

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF THIS NEW RELEASE FRESH FROM THE eINK PRESS, HEAD OVER TO JOANNE KENRICK'S WEBSITE -- SUPER EASY 

ENTRY/COMMENT TO WIN!! HERE  Contest open through 7pm CDT, October 7, 2011.

Thanks for stopping by.  And my hope is that One Knight in Brooklyn makes you laugh and surpasses all of your expectations.

You can find me at my Blog: http://caseamajor.wordpress.com/

And on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/CaseaMajor