Jill Hughey http://www.jillhughey.com Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:16:35 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.32 My Life as a Concubine on First Sight Saturday http://www.jillhughey.com/2014/02/my-life-as-concubine-on-first-sight.html http://www.jillhughey.com/2014/02/my-life-as-concubine-on-first-sight.html#comments Sat, 22 Feb 2014 13:00:00 +0000 http://www.jillhughey.com/2014/02/my-life-as-a-concubine-on-first-sight-saturday.html Each week on First Sight Saturday, a guest author shares an excerpt of a first meeting. Today I am joined by Robin Glasser with her erotic romantic comedy called My Life as a Concubine, based on her three years in Paris. I especially like Robin’s author tagline: Guaranteed to put a twinkle in your eyes and sparkles in your pants. Oooo la la!

EXCERPT

It was a delightful fall day and the sky was blue instead of gray. I cruised along the Canal St-Martin, stopping to watch a pleasure boat make escargot-like progress through the locks. Alain Delon’s double joined me. I flashed him a smile. He offered me a cigarette. I accepted. He lit it, staring sinfully into my eyes. We watched the water rush in to fill the lock in front of the boat. When it was level, the ancient iron gates began to open. A worker tossed a line to a sailor on board and the boat passed through the lock, only to repeat the process a few kilometers up the canal. My companion asked me if I’d like to have a drink with him. I didn’t have time to dawdle. I was on my way to join a gym, to fill up some hours in my day. Besides, I was deeply involved with a Frenchman who refused to marry me.
I accepted. 
We went to a petite café near the canal and sat at a tiny table outside. He drank a small cup of the bitter coffee that the rrribbbitts are so fond of and chain-smoked Gitanes. I daintily sipped a glass of wine, occasionally plucking at stray pieces of tobacco which stuck to my lip every time I puffed on the harsh, unfiltered cigarette.
Even though the French act like they despise the US, they can’t get enough stories about America, especially tales of New York. As most of you know, the galling Gauls idolize Jerry Lewis, and Woody Allen is also highly esteemed. SDH (short, dark, and handsome) was no exception. So I regaled him with Big Apple yarns while he plied me with nicotine and booze. The beginning of our chat was strained due to the language abyss; however, a couple of vin blancs later, I was conversing like a native, albeit one with a lobotomy. SDH seemed enthralled, but I don’t think it was due to my sparkling repartee. In fact, he was becoming quite handy. I’d remove his hand from my upper arm before it could caress the nape of my neck. His hand on my knee eventually wound up on my thigh. When he excused himself to go to the toilet, I was surprised. Why didn’t he just whip it out and relieve himself on the street like most Frenchmen? I guessed he was trying to impress me, or maybe his equipment wasn’t all that impressive.
As soon as SDH left the table, I glanced at my watch. Omigod! Where did the time go? It was well past five and I’d just spent the afternoon drinking and schmoozing with a handy hunk of a man. Uh oh! Guilt started to surface. What was I doing? Spending a gorgeous afternoon with an equally gorgeous stranger while the man I loved toiled away in a subterranean office? Wait a minute! If the light-of-my-life had made me his wife instead of his concubine, wouldn’t I, too, be employed? Besides, hadn’t I just spent hours improving my French? That should make The Wolf happy as long as I omitted the part about where and with whom my schooling took place. I felt much better having justified my afternoon to myself. The moment SDH returned, I’d make some excuse and hightail it to the gym.
     The handy man rejoined me, bearing a fresh glass of wine and a new packet of Gitanes. My good intentions vanished. What could I do? I couldn’t be rude and abruptly leave. So, I enjoyed his company for another half hour on the beautiful day by the water. Then, like a good concubine, I bought a fresh baguette for my master, went home alone, and passed out.

END OF EXCERPT

Sounds like more fun than an afternoon at the gym! I’m sure many of you have questions, so leave them in the comments for Robin. If one of your questions is what happens with the handy man, use one of these links to get My Life as a Concubine to find out!
Here are some links to keep in touch with Robin Glasser:

Thanks for visiting First Sight Saturday! I hope you will come back next week to read another first meeting from a new guest author.
]]> http://www.jillhughey.com/2014/02/my-life-as-concubine-on-first-sight.html/feed 7 San Diego or Bust on First Sight Saturday http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/09/san-diego-or-bust-on-first-sight.html http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/09/san-diego-or-bust-on-first-sight.html#comments Sat, 21 Sep 2013 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/09/san-diego-or-bust-on-first-sight-saturday.html Every week I welcome a guest author to First Sight Saturday to share an excerpt of a first meeting between two characters. Today I’m pleased that Vicki Batman is here with an excerpt from San Diego or Bust. Vicki has very good taste in character names, as you will soon see.

     Hi! I’m writer Vicki Batman. Has your Mr. Right turned out to be the wrong Mr. Right? I’m here to tell you about Jill Grant’s first sight of Steven Cartwright in “San Diego or Bust,” a 5,023 word romantic comedy. Jill had planned a wonderful holiday for her boyfriend only it turned into the getaway from hell. As she went to deplane, her tote popped open and then…
Here’s the excerpt:
     My blue mood increased as I staggered up the aisle for deplaning. In my stupor, my tote slammed into an arm rest. My hand twisted, and the catch popped open. My sexy lingerie—the kind you want nobody else to see ever—spilled on the floor. Exhausted physically and mentally, I wanted to lie down on the ground and sob and sob and weep and weep like a toddler, but didn’t.
         Obnoxious Person behind me, the one who’d complained before, groaned. For the entire flight, I’d put up with his seat-and-feet antics on the back of my chair. I prayed to the heavens above to teleport me elsewhere. It didn’t come to pass, and I hadn’t uttered a single grumble, even though I wanted to arm wrestle him to the ground. I regripped my handbag, closed my eyes, and murmured, “Be nice. Be nice.”
         I tossed him my best like I wanted this to happen expression and said in my kill-him-with-kindness voice, “I’m sooo-sooo sorry. Give me a sec.”
         The man in front of me, the same person who’d passed my bag when darling Davis had leapt from his seat and dashed up the row the instant the seat-belt sign had been extinguished, set his laptop case down. “Let me help.”
         Prior to boarding, I’d noticed this man walking through the waiting area. At the time, I’d thought what a nice guywhen a gleeful baby had repeatedly thrown away his pacifier, and he’d retrieved it each time with a genuine smile. My gaze continued to follow him as he walked around our terminal. When he returned someone else’s dropped magazine, a tinge of why can’t my boyfriend be more like him? passed through my thoughts.
         And here he is being nice to me.
         Squatting, he picked up my clothing and handed them over.
Somehow, a skimpy panty became laced in his fingers. When he tried to untangle the mess, the undie sling-shot by my shoulder and hit Obnoxious Person in the forehead. Several passengers chuckled. An embarrassing heat crept up my spine and settled on my head.
         Obnoxious Person fumbled the garment like it was a fiery tamale with cactus spines and dropped it in my lap. “Can’t you hurry it up, lady?”
         Mr. Nice Guy gave me a wink. “We’ll be finished in a jiffy.”
     I let my mouth tip into a grin. Who said jiffy nowadays?
         Further down the line, a woman called, “What’s taking so long?”
         “Yeah,” someone else further back said.
         Another complained, “I’ve got thirty minutes to catch my connecting flight to Walla Walla.”
Find “San Diego or Bust” at:  http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/ 
and other fine e-retailers.
Thanks for joining me today! We welcome any comments, and hope you’ll come back every Saturday for a fresh first meeting.

]]> http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/09/san-diego-or-bust-on-first-sight.html/feed 14 Historical Titles on Book Lover’s Buffet! http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/05/historical-titles-on-book-lovers-buffet.html http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/05/historical-titles-on-book-lovers-buffet.html#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/05/historical-titles-on-book-lovers-buffet.html I’m so excited that Redeemed is part of the BOOK LOVER’S BUFFET, featuring 175 books all priced at $0.99 from many online vendors, including some wonderful historical romances you can find here. I’m providing a brief overview of each in the list below. Check them out! I’m sure you’ll see some delicious reads you can’t resist. And why should you when they are all 99 cents and calorie-free!??

Rogue’s Hostage by Linda McLaughlin. His hostage. Her destiny. In the midst of a war that threatens the fabric of her life, Mara Finds herself torn between love and loyalty.
An Improper Situation by Sydney Jane Baily
From dusty Colorado to civilized Boston, Charlotte and Reed encounter sinister forces and scorned women. With passions ablaze yet often at odds, they find themselves in a very Improper Situation. 

Wear Black by Eilis Flynn and Heather Hiestand
Death did not end his service to the British Empire. Death is only the beginning…Wear Black 

Regency Romance: To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield – Book #1 Wicked Wagers Trilogy
Spirited heroine, rakish duke, and three wagers that will change their lives…

Tame a Wild Wind by Cynthia Woolf
He’s looking for work not love. She’s looking for a ranch foreman not the love of a lifetime.

To Wed The Earl – Regency Novella
Miss Miranda Price detests her neighbor Edward Havens, the rakish Earl of Edgerton – but when he catches her breaking into his library at midnight, secrets are revealed that will change the course of their lives… forever.

The Escort  by Gina Robinson True love runs deep.


Storm on the Horizon: Kit thinks he’s helping Tatiana to hide her powerful magic from Georgian society, but he’s about to find out her secret’s much bigger than he ever imagined.

An Exotic Heir: Warning–dangerous to your heart: love and revenge in Regency Calcutta.

Ventre a Terre
Rosamund Hilliard, singing for her supper at the grand houses of England, must flee her suitors when her scheming is discovered. 

And, last but not least, Redeemed by Jill Hughey. Can a quiet widow help a damaged, secretive man find redemption?

I hope you’ll visit the BOOK LOVER’S BUFFET where you can find a wide assortment of romances for just 99 cents, plus enter to win prizes!
]]> http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/05/historical-titles-on-book-lovers-buffet.html/feed 0 Book Lover’s Buffet! http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/05/book-lovers-buffet.html http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/05/book-lovers-buffet.html#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/05/book-lovers-buffet.html

 Introducing the Book Lovers’ Buffet. Load up, you won’t gain a pound!

The Buffet’s “Bouquet of Books” sale will be open May 1-3. More than 175 ebooks, all reduced in price to just 99 cents, including the second book in my series, Redeemed, on sale for the FIRST TIME EVER. 
Save in categories such as Young Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense, Erotic Romance, Historical and more! PLUS, visit the website to win gift cards to your choice of online retailers. $400 in gift cards up for grabs!
Titles from popular authors such as:
·         Gemma Halliday
·         Angie Fox
·         Jenna Bennett
·         Amanda Brice
·         Jennette Marie Powell
·         Clover Autrey
·         Carly Carson
·         E. Ayers
·         Genevieve Jourdin
·         CJ Lyons
·         Renee Pace
·         Sophia Knightley
·         Tori Scott
·         Meredith Bond
·         Emily Ryan-Davis
·         Anthea Lawson
·         Diana Layne
·         Lindsey Brookes
·         Gina Robinson
·         McKenna Chase

Come stock up on delicious books for your spring and summer reading at www.bookloversbuffet.net!!


]]> http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/05/book-lovers-buffet.html/feed 23 The Good Luck Potion on First Sight Saturday http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/04/the-good-luck-potion-on-first-sight.html http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/04/the-good-luck-potion-on-first-sight.html#comments Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.jillhughey.com/2013/04/the-good-luck-potion-on-first-sight-saturday.html Each week on First Sight Saturday, an author shares an excerpt of a first meeting between two important characters.

This week I welcome Leanne Tyler with Book 3 in The Good Luck Series. The Good Luck Potion is a contemporary romantic comedy and is so hot off the digital presses that it isn’t even released yet, but you only have to wait until May 1 to grab a copy! UPDATE: here is the link to The Good Luck Potion.

Here is a setup of the scene: Sue Charles has just received the Good Luck Charm from Lucinda, which is supposed to draw her soul mate to her. She is on her way to her sister’s house for dinner, but when she gets there she finds the small dinner gathering is actually a large dinner party.

BEGINNING OF EXCERPT
     Sue applied the brake, slowing to a stop outside of her sister’s house. She prepared to park behind a small pickup truck but became distracted when she saw a cute guy walk from the curb toward the house. His short cropped brown hair and two day stubble was a sexy combination. He filled out his jeans in all the right places too, drawing her attention to his behind instead of keeping her mind on coming to a full stop. When her car bumped into the tail end of the truck she jerked to attention.
    “Oh no.” She shifted to reverse, inched back a little and put it in park. Gripping the steering wheel tight, she laid her head on it, afraid to look. She was certain he’d heard the minor collision. She didn’t recognize him as one of Phil’s friends because he was definitely someone she would remember. Whoever he was, he’d no doubt be angry and justifiably so.
     If she didn’t feel obligated to go inside she’d leave, but she couldn’t bail on her sister. Though by the number of cars parked in the drive it was clear she wouldn’t be missed. Kimberly had said dinner with a friend or two, but this looked like a large dinner party. Leave it to her sister to tell a white lie to get her to come tonight.
     A knock on the window prompted her to look up. The hunky guy was standing outside her door and she swallowed the lump of anxiety that had formed in her throat. Resigned that she had to face him and the damage she had caused, she pulled her keys from the ignition, grabbed her purse and got out.
      “Are you okay?” His look of worry startled her.
She slowly nodded, but her cheeks grew warm. “I’m sorry. I got a little too close and bumped you. Is there any damage to your truck? I’ll pay for it. It was totally my fault.”
      “Relax. It’s just a truck. The most important thing is that you weren’t hurt. Did you hit your head?”
      She swallowed, caught off guard by his concern for her safety when she was the one at fault. “No. I’m fine. Just rattled…I’m normally a safe driver. I wasn’t expecting so many cars to be here.”
      He grinned and nodded, extending his hand. “It does look like a crowd. I’m Alex by the way.”
     “Sue Charles.” She shook his hand. “I’m Kimberly’s sister.”
     “Nice to meet you, Sue Charles. Should we go inside?”
     “Don’t you think we should check for damage?”
     “I don’t think there is any, but if it will make you feel better, we can look.”
     She followed him to the front of the car and they inspected both vehicles. Thankfully he was right. There wasn’t a scratch on either, but it didn’t change the fact that she’d hit his truck because she’d been staring at his butt. And the way he kept grinning made her feel he knew what had really distracted her. As if that wasn’t enough, the gris-gris warmed against her chest, reminding her that less than an hour ago Lucinda had given her the one thing that was supposed to ensure she meet her soul mate.
     Mortified by what she’d done, she really wanted to hurry to the house and lock herself in Kimberly’s bedroom until everyone left. But she couldn’t, especially when Alex was trying to make her feel at ease. He was not only good looking, but a nice person and definitely someone she’d expect would be Phil’s friend.
     “See. No damage.” He smiled. “No harm. No foul. Let’s forget it and have a good time tonight.”
     She glanced up at him, grateful for his good nature. “Okay. I’ll try to forget it, but I’m truly sorry.”
     “Like I said, it’s just a truck.” He motioned for her to go ahead of him and he followed her up the walk.
     The front door opened before they reached it. Kimberly was all smiles and she looked amazing in the floral sundress and sandals she wore. “I was getting worried about you two.         Everyone else has already arrived. Come on in and let me get you the last lock and key.”
     “What?” Sue followed her sister into the living room and saw there were five other females wearing a lock on a string around their necks.
     “Phil and I thought it would be fun to have a lock and key party. Have you ever heard of it?”
     “No.” Sue grimaced.
“It’s simple really. You wear this lock and each male is given a key.” Kimberly turned to Alex, handing one to him. “Each key matches one lock. It’s the guy’s job to find out which one. We thought it would be a great way to start a conversation and for my friends to get to know Phil’s friends.”
     “Where’d you get this idea?” Sue asked.
     “A movie on one of those cable romance channels. Phil and I both thought it was the cutest idea ever.” Kimberly’s enthusiasm wasn’t rubbing off on her. “Relax. Who knows, you might just meet someone tonight. Haven’t you been moaning for the last few months about needing a date?”
     “Kimberly!” Sue gasped, not believing her sister had just said that in front of him. She grabbed her by the arm and led her toward the kitchen. “How could you say that in front of Alex?”
     “Sorry, but it’s true.”
     “It doesn’t matter if it is. I don’t want him thinking I’m a loser. I already bumped his truck when I parked.”
     “You didn’t.”
     She nodded.
     “So that explains why the two of you were out there so long.”
     Sue ignored that last statement, not wanting to go into any more details at the moment. Instead she turned to the question that had been eating at her since she pulled up. “I thought you invited me here for dinner.”

     “I did. And we’ll eat as soon as each lock and key is paired up.”


END OF EXCERPT

What an embarrassing way to meet! I wonder who will have the lock to match Alex’s key? As I mentioned above, The Good Luck Potion. Here are some links so you can continue to follow Leanne Tyler.

Website:  leannetyler.com

Twitter: @LeanneTyler


Thank you, Leanne, for joining me today on First Sight Saturday.
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