Introducing S. J. Maylee and Taking Chances

Introducing S.J. Maylee

I’d like to take a moment to introduce you all to S. J. Maylee. On joining WordPress a little over a year ago, her blog was one of the first I began to follow. Today we’re celebrating the launch of her first published work, a novella through Evernight Publishing called Taking Chances. Take it away, S. J.!

Taking Chances

(The Love Projects #1)

by: S.J. Maylee

Genre: Erotic Romance with D/s

Length: Novella

Published: August 23, 2013

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

TAKING CHANCES BLURB:

Lydia’s father walked away from her when she was eight. She’s struggled to not let him affect her, but fears she wasn’t loveable enough to make him stay. Jake wants to love one woman, but after scaring the last woman he met outside of the club, he doubts he has the right. She protects her heart by sticking with her fantasies, and he lives by a set of rules that excludes women who choose a vanilla lifestyle.

The two will be kept in a conference room working together until their special project is complete. If Lydia and Jake hold tight to their bland lives, they’ll always yearn for love that is out of reach. But together they can find common ground, passion, and a reason to take chances. Once they discover the grand possibilities of the love they desire, they find themselves in the very place they tried never to be again, facing unguaranteed love.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18337826-taking-chances

TAKING CHANCES EXCERPT:

“Come on in, Lydia. I want to talk about a few things before we get started today. We need to make it quick, since we need to report to Keller at ten this morning.” When she remained in her spot he added, “Lydia, come here.”

Not wanting Gina to take anything further from her, she lifted her head and walked to Jake. She stopped at his desk, but felt instantly unworthy. Gina was more Jake’s style. She fought the need to lower her chin.

“Look at me, Lydia.”

He pushed her. “Why?” She shifted her gaze and hit him with her direct stare.

“Thank you. I needed to see your eyes.” He reached out and swiped a lock of hair from her face. He tucked the strand behind her ear, and let his finger drag down her face to her shoulder. All the while his gaze captured hers, not letting go. “How are you this morning?”

“I’m okay.”

“Okay? Hmm, maybe I should do something to improve your mood? What would you say to that?”

“Here?” she gasped and quickly turned to look out the door.

He grabbed hold of her shoulders, lifting her slightly off the floor.

“Yes, here.” He brought their bodies together, claimed her lips and swept his tongue through her mouth, awakening her sexual hunger.

She felt wanted. She felt claimed. Images from the night before swam in her mind. Silly challenges from the office mean girl were all forgotten. He set her down and nipped at her lower lip.

“We have a lot to do today. Unfortunately we cannot go any further, now.” He stepped back behind his desk as casually as if he’d just greeted the mail man.

“But you would want to?” Still looking at the papers on his desk, she didn’t think he heard her. She took a step closer. “You would repeat last night?”

Her words stopped him. His gaze searched her face. Placing his hands on the desk he leaned forward and said, “Lydia, I fully intend to further explore your body and mind. After all, there are a few places I haven’t yet completely inspected.”

Her mind ran through what he had done to her last night, and there was only one place she could think of. Warmth fluttered through her face.

“Now, that is a beautiful sight.” He returned to his papers. “I’m going to have to keep thinking of ways to shock you simply to see you blush again.” With the papers properly sorted, his attention returned to her. “Is Gina a problem?”

Gina was a lot of things, but she’d never thought of her as a problem. “I don’t think so.”

“Don’t be afraid to put her in her place. She likes that more than she lets on. She’s the type to push so she can be pushed back.”

“I hadn’t thought of her that way. Interesting.”

“Let me know if she becomes a problem.” His gaze drilled into hers, not letting her escape.

“Okay.”

“Okay?” His posture remained controlled, but the smirk couldn’t be missed.

She added her own version of the devilish grin, which ignited another blush before she even spoke. “Okay, Sir.”

“Trouble.” He stalked towards her and ruthlessly swept his hand under the hem of her skirt to press firmly along her panties. His lips pressed to her ear. “Hot and damp.”

The palm of his hand pressed on her clit, and he bent his knuckles, sending the tips of his fingers past the edge of her panties to drag along her slit.

“Be careful what you say to me, sweetheart, or you’ll shatter my control.” With one last drag of his fingers, he pulled away and walked from the room.

She turned around and watched him go. Her heart pounded. All she could do was follow him, but she couldn’t move. The exchange with Jake left her bones unsettled, and the all too familiar ache tried to set-up shop in her chest. She hadn’t expected him to crave more from her, and now she couldn’t deny he did. Was she going to deny herself the pleasure of getting to know him?

TAKING CHANCES BUY LINK: 

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/taking-chances-by-s-j-maylee/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Chances-Love-Projects-ebook/dp/B00EPWDHP4

All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-takingchances-1269898-147.html

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate my debut, I’m hosting a giveaway for a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Click the link below to participate!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

S.J. MAYLEE BIO:

S. J. Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She’s finding the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband’s music. She’s a PMP (Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict.

As a writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back together.

Blog: http://SJMaylee.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SJMaylee @SJMaylee

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SJ-Maylee/339463696094996

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/110475431453091174566/posts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7224328.S_J_Maylee

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sjmaylee/

 

You may be wondering, S.J. your first manuscript is published, now what?

Through the last couple manuscripts I’ve seen a pattern emerge. Thank goodness, LOL. First, a scene comes to me in a flash. TAKING CHANCES started with one scene. I could see it easily. It wasn’t the opening scene though. It was the scene in the middle of the story. With the sequel to TAKING CHANCES, it was the opening scene that flashed first. It’s what happens next where you can see the pattern.

Every day, while I’m getting ready, doing the dishes …, I think about what led my characters to the one scene I have or what leads them out of it. This daily time with my characters is the perfect warm-up for when my butt gets in the seat. I encourage my muse further with plenty of coffee and good music. I’m also never far from my beat sheet. Don’t want the story wandering away from the target.

If I get stuck, I simply get up and do something else on the to-do list and think through the story. Then, settle back down with a fresh cup of coffee and a different play list and get back to work. As long as I keep coming back, the one light bulb moment will turn into a finished manuscript.

I’d love to hear from you guys. Have you found patterns in your day that work for you with your writing?

Thanks again for having me stop by! I look forward to seeing your feedback.