Romance Begins With A Kiss...

Between writing novels, I sometimes write short stories or participate in anthologies. These are sexy romance quick reads. I hope you enjoy them!

I’ve participated in an anthology at Midnight Showcase.com! Yes, my very first vampire story. If you’ve read any of my books, you know I don’t write the “norm” …so what’s my vampire story about? Well, it’s about two very sexy vampires who were betrothed, but something bad happened…

Steffin Vonner wanted Constancia’s body, mind, soul and blood…but his brother got to her first. After centuries of wondering why Steffin left her, Constancia now searches for the redeemer, the true vampire to lead the Dark Kindred. In hopes of restoring his birthright by giving him back the bloodstone ring, she finds out that love and lust can withstand centuries of misunderstandings.

Buy it now at Midnight Showcase! http://www.midnightshowcase.com/Year%20End/Vamptations2.htm

Excerpt:

(excerpt is unedited and may slightly differ from published version.)

“Are you alright?” He took her hand and helped her to stand, retrieving the bag she’d dropped, and handed it to her.

“Yes, I…I don’t know what happened.” She noted the similarities to what she remembered of Steffin, although he looked slightly changed, perhaps aged to perfection if that was possible. In his modern clothes and his short hair, he’d changed very little. He could have easily modified his appearance and she wondered why he hadn’t.

“I’d say you fell at my feet. Most women say hello first.”

Oh, so he had an ego to go with his charisma, did he? He always was charismatic and knew exactly what to say to make women lust after him. At this moment, she supposed lust was definitely a possibility, a bite was sounding better and better.

“Hello.” Why did her voice suddenly sound strange? She cleared her throat, and thought she was being silly. Candra kept her eyes fastened on his and wondered what to say. She had to make an impression before she revealed herself and the real reason she came by.

“Hi.” He leaned against the doorframe, smiling with a wicked glint in his darkening eyes. “I’m Seth. Do you want to come in? It’s about minus twenty out there, you must be freezing. I can put a fire on for you.”

She stuck her hand out and he shook it. “I’m Candra Thorn, new in the area. I heard you on the radio and thought…well, it was really a stupid idea, coming here. Never mind, I’ll just leave. I’m sorry for bothering you.” Candra turned and walked back down the path. She’d never been so totally humiliated in her life, and had never babbled like an imbecile. Had she even made sense?

If he was Steffin Vonner, she’d just ruined the opportunity to influence him. Perhaps she could come back when her humiliation was forgotten and she could get a grip on her senses. Like that would ever happen. Now face to face with him, she realized she had no idea how to proceed.

What could she say? ‘I’m here to take you home. Only you can save me. I’ve missed your body and want to roll around in the snow all night. More than anything, I want to taste you.’

“Wait, you’re not bothering me. What’s in the bag?”

She heard his call and his footsteps behind her. She stopped and listened, waiting for him to say more. He caught up to her and stood behind her, and she could feel the chill from his body. Candra turned and almost found herself in his arms. What she wouldn’t do to be safely wrapped in those arms, to actually roll around in the snow with him.

“Venison, the waitress…?”

“Ah, my favorite. Is this for me?”

She nodded and held the bag out to him.

Seth opened it up, breathing in the scent of the food. “Why don’t you come inside? You cut your hand and you’re bleeding. We should clean that up before the wolves smell your blood.” Just as he said that another howl sounded in the woods beyond his home. “You’ll never make it home alive. Come on.” He placed his arm around her back and guided her along the path.

Candra almost laughed, feeling giddy. As if a wolf would come near her, yet if he was Steffin, he would know that. He should be able to sense her vampirism, but he hadn’t shown a sense of awareness. Confusion furrowed her brow; Steffin wasn’t lighthearted, but stern and well…he rarely smiled. Had five hundred years of exile changed him?

Before she could reply, he took her hand and pulled her inside his home. She expected to find a bright cheerful place that matched his disposition. Instead, she found a dark abode, something akin to a cave. The place was utterly charming, at least the living room was. One dim light reflected on the shiny floor. Books scattered the tables, and a few animal rugs made the room appear comfortable.

She watched his every move. After he set the kindling on fire in the fireplace, he disappeared into the next room, but Candra stayed where she was. Why did she feel blown-over by him? Was it possible he really was Steffin or was she just hopeful? She had never received such confused signals before.

“Here we are. Let’s get this cleaned up.” He grabbed her hand and held it up, looking oddly at the scrape on her palm, where blood seeped in the center. Had his eyes darkened?

“I’m fine, really. There’s no need to be concerned. I can take care of the wound later.” Candra tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn’t release her.

“Just be quiet and let me look…”

She couldn’t see his eyes now with his head tilted forward, but she knew when someone was salivating. The scent of his saliva waffled to her nose. What he did next completely took her by surprise. He ran his silky tongue over her wound, soothing the sting from the cut and licking the blood smear away. The moisture from his tongue sent a rush of icy blood through her cold body.

He kept his gaze on the wound, but quickly slapped a bandage on the sore and released her hand. A strange look appeared on his face when he looked up at her. His eyes appeared to glow in the ambiance of light inside the room, the pupils darkening to full size. If only he would smile, then she’d be certain. Yet he didn’t oblige. Given the look in his eyes she had no choice but to accept it.

Oh devil, the man is a vampire! He is Steffin Vonner.

Excerpt copyright © 2009 Kara Griffin

Being the God of Light made life easy for Tane, but when he wanted to find someone he could love, who'd he end hanging out with--Cupid! Some days, you wish you could lay on a cloud and forget you ever woke up...

Tane meets Amy, a kindergarten teacher, and he doesn't know why he falls hard for her. But he does know why she falls hard for him--Cupid's up to his tricks.

When Tane tells his friend Cupid he can't come to a Valentine's party, what's Cupid do? He takes back Amy's arrow strike and now Tane has to win Amy back on his own.

Get this romantic erotic short Valentine's Day story at Aspen Mountain Press this February! This is a sequel to Fishing Lures & Love Tackle.

(excerpt is unedited and may slightly differ from published version.)

“Amy, this is my friend Tane. Tane, she needs a dance partner.”

Before she could get away or even say anything, Tane grabbed her hand and pulled her from her seat.

“Great. Come on, pretty.”

Amy spent five minutes being pulled around the dance floor by the gorgeous blonde and as the song neared the end something stuck her. She wasn’t sure why, but Tane appealed to her more and more. Not that she didn’t find him attractive, she did. He was absolutely gorgeous, young, and worth the time and effort. But there was something about him that now tugged at her heart too.

At the end of the dance, Tane pulled her toward the wall near the restrooms. Happily, she waited to see what he’d do. In the darkened area, she felt his lips touch hers. Little touches moved over her mouth and then he swamped her with kiss forceful enough to make her knees go weak.

Returning the pleasurable kiss, Amy realized her hands moved over his chest as her fingers felt the muscles under his shirt. She’d never dated anyone so built before or as handsome, but then…she wasn’t dating him.

Minutes passed and the kiss went on. Amy liked the way his hands moved over her arms and especially liked when his fingers grazed the inside of her bicep, almost touching her breast. To her dismay, he pulled his mouth away. In the darkness of the club, she could see his pearly white teeth behind his smiling lips.

“Want to get out of here?”

Excerpt copyright © 2009 Kara Griffin.

Martin Stokes is tired of deceiving women.  He needs an escape and goes fishing at his remote cabin by Lake Ontario, never imagining he'll meet the woman of his dreams.

Keely Crystal the Goddess of Deception is impatient to meet her destined love.  In order to meet him on her own terms, she inadvertently deceives Martin, and hopes the Goddess of Earth can help win back her love.

Available now at Aspen Mountain Press.

http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/fishing-lures-and-love-tackle/prod_51.html

Fishing Lures and Love Tackle is a cute, quick, and quirky story. If you like stubborn characters and conflict, humorous situations and dialog, and romance with some very sensual love scenes, then this is a book you will enjoy!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Steph B.

Review: This reviewer is reminded of a certain picture when Ms. Griffin describes Martin fishing, wearing only his rubber boots!  The sex scenes are wonderfully sensual, super sexy and really romantic.  Two unlikely characters come together and the sparks are flying. 

Loves Romances - 5 Hearts

Reviewed by: Valerie

Sneak peek excerpt:

       “Who are you?”  His voice sounded shaky, and he hoped it didn’t sound so to her.  He wanted to be assertive—to be in control of this magnificent encounter.
       Martin pulled away a few inches to better see her face.  He could see her lips shiny with a touch of moonlight licking the edge.  Thoughts of kissing her became foremost in his mind.  He wanted to lick her lips like the moon was.
       The nymph laughed, her sweet giggle overtaking the silence of the forest.  It had to be the sweetest sound he’d ever heard, and he found himself smiling because of it.
       “This is every woman’s fantasy.  Why ruin it with reality?  What would you say if I were to suggest we make love for the rest of the night?”
       He swallowed a groan that seemed to get stuck in his throat.  The anticipation of loving the nymph even for an hour turned him into a savage.  If he could set her on the ground and take her at that second, he would.  Yet, he didn’t make a move.
       “That sounds like every man’s fantasy.”  In a forceful move, he pulled her close so that their bodies touched.  He liked the sensation of her body pressed against his, and the feeling of his cock straining to reach her most tender flesh.
       “The only thing wrong with this picture is…I’m naked and you’re not.”

Excerpt copyright © 2009 by Kara Griffin.