I enjoy getting reviews. Not only the good ones, (though they are my favorite) but even those who offer constructive criticism, because it helps me improve. I don’t expect to please everyone, because each reader has his or her own background and tastes. Take for example the review from CK2′s Kwips and Kritiques. This reader is involved with police every day. She wasn’t very comfortable with a fantasy being played out during a tense scene. Now, when I first read that review, and she said a certain part grossed her out, that certainly wasn’t the part I would have picked. Still, in summary, here are her thoughts:

However, after I got over that and read the rest of the story, POSITION SECURED was a good read. Sexy, with interesting characters, and steamy sex; I do wish there was enough space for the characters to have a little more depth but I know that’s a hard task to accomplish in such short space. For the price of POSITION SECURED, I recommend giving it a try.

Not bad! And a three shamrock rating too. The Romance Reviews also took a look at Position Secured, and had this to say:

This is a hot, fun read when you’re looking for a quick fix. Almost from the get-go, Ms. Brynn ramped up the heat, leaving you no room to heave even a quick gasp. The chemistry between Mari and Marc fairly sizzled, and the tangible hunger each felt for the other almost leaped off the pages.

A four star rating along with her thoughts on Mari’s new outlook on cops. Take a look at the reviews, I’m pretty happy with them. I’m working hard on another hot short that’s just way fun to write. It’s flowing well and quickly, and I hope to finish this one up before the end of July. If it’s polished enough, I’ll post an excerpt next week.  

I just finished my short (shortest yet) book. It’s an interracial contemporary novella. Want to know the title? So do I. Titles have always been a tough thing for me. How do you capture the mood in so few words? What word will grab a reader by the ears and shake them until they want to read the book? It’s gotta be good, and as they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Cover, title, blurb. In that order. Each of those three make my gut twist.  So I’m open to suggestions. Here’s a short blurb-ish thing:

Psychology 301, three days a week.

For half a semester, Jaycee has used every one of those ninety minutes to deposit glimpses of ROTC captain Tyler Johnson into her fantasy bank.

An accidental touch leads to flaring libidos, and before she knows it, she’s enacting her hottest fantasy beneath a set of stairs in the classroom building.

Objections to their relationship come from an unexpected source, making Jaycee second guess their future together. Is sexual chemistry enough?

Any ideas? Leave your suggestions in the comments, and if I choose yours, you’ll get not only the bragging rights, but a digital copy of your choice of any of my (or Alanna’s) backlist.

In other news, I “met” my new editor for Carina Press today via email. I can’t wait to hear her thoughts on Tessa’s Pride. Well, maybe I can. Ask me when I’m deep in the throes of edits.

And now what? I don’t know. Poor Alanna has been waiting patiently for her turn to write. She’s got some plot issues that she needs to work out on the one WiP that she’d love to finish. (Interestingly enough, it isn’t titled either) There are seven others to choose from, guess we’ll go rooting through the WiP file and see what strikes us.

In the past few days I’ve sent my latest novella Tessa’s Pride to a handful of epublishers. I’ve already had one rejection and one contract offer, so we’ll see where it goes from there. I posted a blurb earlier, but I thought I’d post an excerpt for you, see what you think!

Tessa’s heart seized. When it resumed beating, it pounded in her ears. “You’re staying here?”

He shook out a pair of silky-looking boxers, then folded them carefully. Tessa knew he’d done that to fluster her, and it took superhuman strength to keep from staring at them.

He seemed to recognize her avoidance, because he gestured with the underwear as he spoke. “You don’t expect me to stay in a hotel, do you? When the big house that has belonged to my family for generations sits all but empty?”

Yes.

“Well, no…but I didn’t…I guess I didn’t realize you’d planned on staying in the area.”

For folding them so carefully, he tossed the underwear into the drawer without a thought before walking toward her. No, he didn’t walk, he prowled; like a hungry lion. “You’re afraid, aren’t you?”

Yes.

She swallowed. “Afraid?”

“To stay alone in the house with me.” He moved into her space, and it took all of her willpower to remain where she was. Although part of her wanted to back away, a bigger part wanted to step into the heat he always seemed to wear like an invisible cloak.

“I’m not afraid.” Her voice wasn’t as strong as she wanted it to be. She swallowed again.

“You don’t sound sure.” His dark brows lowered, and he studied her mouth. “I think you’re scared.” His breath washed over her face with each word he spoke, and Tessa clenched her hands to keep from reaching out for him. “I think you’re afraid I’ll kiss you like I did that day in the meadow. You remember that kiss, don’t you Tessa?”

Oh God, yes she remembered that kiss. She remembered that kiss often. Daily. Nightly. Hourly. It was years ago, the day before he’d left BER for good. He’d surprised her during a solo horseback ride into the woods on a rare day off. When she’d come to the clearing, she saw Josh, sitting tall and proud atop his favorite horse. To this day she didn’t know if he was waiting for her, or if she had just happened upon him there. They’d spent that afternoon talking, laughing, and wading in the cool creek, their jeans rolled up to their knees. She’d accidentally splashed him, which made him return the favor. In the end they were both drenched, and they had to lie in the sun to dry out their clothes.

Conversation was easy, and when he rolled on his side to hover over her, it was the most natural move to slide into his arms.

“I remember it too, Tessa.” Her name coming off his lips felt almost like a caress.

Her lids slid closed as she soaked in his words, lost in reminiscence.

“I’ve pulled the memory of that afternoon out more times than I can count. I’ll never forget the way you looked with your Stetson tilted over your brow. Your bare legs, so smooth…and your mouth…God, your mouth.” He stepped closer, until their clothes brushed, and she did feel the heat that she remembered. It surrounded her as surely as if he’d reached out with his arms.

Josh is a man who knows what he wants, and isn’t afraid to reach out and get it. I love the Alpha…

Okay, more info as it comes along. Have a great week!