{"id":6932,"date":"2012-11-01T11:33:56","date_gmt":"2012-11-01T18:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/?p=6932"},"modified":"2012-11-01T11:37:39","modified_gmt":"2012-11-01T18:37:39","slug":"catching-claire-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/catching-claire-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Catching Claire Release!"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’ll still be a few days until I have time to update the Books pages on my website, so I’m going ahead and posting about the release of Catching Claire<\/strong>, Story 2 in LOVE & OTHER CALAMITIES<\/strong>, here\u2014including the blurb, story cover, and an excerpt! Drum roll…<\/p>\n

Catching Claire<\/strong> is now available for Kindle<\/a>, Kobo<\/a>, on Apple iTunes<\/a>, Smashwords<\/a>, and from All Romance Ebooks<\/a> (a great place to get a PDF, if you don’t have an e-reader)! By the way, Deceiving Derek<\/a>, Story 1 in the series, is now up at All Romance Ebooks<\/a>, too!<\/p>\n

Smashwords will distribute to NOOK, Sony, and other venues, but it will take a couple of weeks, or more. Unfortunately, as\u00a0a Canadian, I can not upload directly\u00a0to Barnes and Noble’s PubIt venue, so if you’re hankering for a copy of Catching Claire<\/strong> in ePub format for your NOOK right away, please visit Smashwords<\/a> or ARe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Blurb:<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Claire Merriweather hires hunky future doctor Ridge Pederson to strip at a friend\u2019s bachelorette party, she never imagines she\u2019ll wake up in his bed. Well, she imagines<\/em> it\u2014but now it\u2019s happened. Big problem: Claire\u2019s memory is fuzzy. Did<\/em> they do the bouncy? Or did Ridge reject her? Either way\u2026oh-oh<\/em>, her heart\u2019s in trouble!<\/p>\n

Cover by LFD Author Designs:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Excerpt!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stripping off his clothes in a room full of women was not Ridge Pedersen\u2019s idea of a good time. But how could he refuse when the gigs paid a good portion of his med school bills?<\/p>\n

Exiting the elevator, he patted the tiny bag of coins in the pocket of his sleep pants. As he strode toward the apartment building\u2019s laundry, a sour alcohol scent emanated from the basket balanced against his hip. He wrinkled his nose.<\/p>\n

Over the last month, riotous bachelorette parties had crammed his summer weekends. Women mauled him, grabbed him, \u201cforgot\u201d to tip him\u2014and sometimes puked on him. Thankfully, the latter hadn\u2019t occurred at tonight\u2019s job, although several women had slugged back oversized drinks comprised of vodka, various liqueurs, and cream. More than once, the petite future bride had offered Ridge a sip from her sticky cup, splashing his cop costume.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head at the memory, he shouldered into the laundry room and jerked to a stop. Beside the bulletin board, a curvy brunette shook her booty in a short, purple nightie that did wonders to her thighs. As she danced with her back to him, she curled a messy wave of brown hair behind her ear. A skinny electronics cord dangled from her earlobe, most likely attached to a miniscule music player tucked…somewhere interesting, he hoped.<\/p>\n

Wow, she almost made up for tonight\u2019s annoyances.<\/p>\n

Almost<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Her singing sucked.<\/p>\n

The door slammed shut as Ridge walked past Claire Merriweather\u2019s jiggling butt and set his basket on the first washing machine in the row. Claire had hired him for tonight\u2019s party. However, the reserved tones of her voice mail requesting his services in no way matched her enthusiastic bouncing on spiky sandals. Purple panties peeked from the hem of her lingerie as she danced, and countless straps crisscrossed her spine. Swinging a plastic cup, she cannibalized an upbeat song about kissing girls.<\/p>\n

\u201cI copped a feel\u2014hiccup!<\/em>\u201d she belted in a sharp soprano. \u201cLa, la, la, his\u2014hic<\/em>\u2014nightstick!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ridge recognized the side of her head, although not her daring outfit. During his performance in a fourth-floor apartment of the building, she\u2019d remained within his vantage point in the hostess\u2019s kitchen, prepping snacks and mixing drinks. She\u2019d worn totally different clothes then. A conservative blouse and jeans that had nicely hugged her round behind.<\/p>\n

How had the girl who\u2019d avoided his gaze while paying him at the door transformed into this out-of-tune sex kitten?<\/p>\n

Her glass swung again. The creamy concoction sloshed onto the scuffed linoleum beside a humming dryer.<\/p>\n

Ridge\u2019s mouth quirked. Naturally<\/em>. The booze.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

Her eyes fluttered half-open. Poking her tiny earphone, she bastardized the song again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello!\u201d Ridge walked toward her, banging the washers. Her gaze riveted to the bulletin board.<\/p>\n

He frowned. Didn\u2019t she realize her vulnerable position? A woman alone in the unlocked laundry donned in lacy nightwear placed herself in unnecessary danger. Any loser\u2014not him\u2014could waltz in and see her.<\/p>\n

Take advantage of her.<\/p>\n

Attack her\u2014<\/p>\n

She licked an ad on the flyer-infested bulletin board.<\/p>\n

Licked it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Narrowing his gaze, Ridge stopped directly behind her. She tongued the ad a second time. His<\/em> ad. For his stripping business.<\/p>\n

Nine of the original thirteen detachable paper strips inscribed with his cell phone number hung from the glossy eight-by-ten. Butchering the pop song, Claire Merriweather tore off every last slip. Giggling, she stuffed them into her top.<\/p>\n

Ridge rolled his eyes. In the color photo adorning the flyer, he wore the navy policeman costume she\u2019d specified for the party. Stainless steel handcuffs dangled from his thick black belt while he gripped a strategically positioned nightstick. The intentional visual had netted him a generous profit as one of two part-time summer jobs. Under other circumstances, Claire\u2019s thievery might flatter him. But registration for second-year med school occurred in a week.<\/p>\n

Nobody<\/em> messed with his tuition money.<\/p>\n

He stepped within an inch of her. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d Voice hard, he tapped her shoulder.<\/p>\n

Shrieking, she jumped. Her drink winged out of the cup, drenching the flyer. One of her ear buds popped out, the white cord swaying.<\/p>\n

Ridge, you idiot. <\/em>What on earth was he thinking, scaring the pants off her?<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry.\u201d Grasping her shoulders, he turned her around. \u201cI hit the washers to catch your attention\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s you!\u201d Green eyes wide, she thumped the empty cup onto the droning dryer. \u201cMy cop-a-feel!\u201d She threw her arms around his neck. Her full breasts crushed the loose T-shirt covering his chest, and the sweet aroma of Irish Cream drifted from her lips.<\/p>\n

Ridge pushed her away and held her there. Not that he didn\u2019t appreciate her enthusiasm. In fact, certain parts of his body appreciated it too much.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were at the party tonight,\u201d he reminded her in case her neurons had misfired. \u201cYou hired me for your friend, Tanya. I danced with her. In Alicia Maxwell\u2019s apartment. Remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

A loopy grin plastered Claire Merriweather\u2019s face. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t exactly say I hired you for Tanya.\u201d The papers advertising his cell number fluttered in her top. The purple nightie\u2014babydolls, that was it\u2014had wide shoulder straps and lacy stuff that nipped at her waist and flared at her hips. He liked the tiny white bows along the hem. He liked the large bow centered on her cleavage even better. But\u2026<\/p>\n

Up close, on a wildness scale of one to ten, Claire\u2019s outfit rated a three. The neckline didn\u2019t plunge, and the skirt concealed her butt\u2014when she wasn\u2019t bouncing around. The papers jutting from her top and the dangling music cord lent her the appearance of a disorganized cat burglar on a midnight heist.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, you hired me for Tanya,\u201d Ridge stated. \u201cShe\u2019s the bride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Claire\u2019s dimples flashed. \u201cYou look like Demi Moore\u2019s ex.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ridge squinted. \u201cBruce Willis?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, silly. The young one. Don\u2019t you\u2014hic<\/em>\u2014twit?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh, you mean tweet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-huh. Twit.\u201d She lifted a finger, and his grip on her slackened. \u201cSoshul networking. Ash-hic<\/em> has an account.\u201d She nodded sagely. \u201cYou should sign up. You\u2019d get a ton more calls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ridge grunted. \u201cIf you hadn\u2019t destroyed my ad, I\u2019d get calls the conventional way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyebrows wiggled. \u201cYou pack quite a package, Ridge.\u201d Her gaze traveled to his pajama pants, which he wore commando.<\/p>\n

His jaw firmed. May lightning strike me dead. Now. I\u2019ll donate my body to science.<\/em><\/p>\n

Two weeks ago, when Claire had hired him over the phone, her voice had sounded professional. Sensible. They\u2019d discussed his rates and arrival time at Alicia Maxwell\u2019s apartment, the duration and heat level of his performance. He had no problem flirting and stripping to a leather G-string, but drew the line at mimicking sex with the guest of honor.<\/p>\n

In tonight\u2019s case, Tanya, Claire\u2019s friend.<\/p>\n

He released her shoulders. Her hands whipped under his T-shirt. Jesus!<\/em> Her palms skated over his pecs and abs. His pajama pants ran the risk of tenting in an energetic salute.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake love with me,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop.\u201d Grabbing her wrists, Ridge flipped her hands back out. \u201cClaire<\/em>. I don\u2019t know what you think I\u2019m advertising\u2014\u201d other than the party dances \u201c\u2014but I will not sleep with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw.\u201d She pouted. \u201cNot even if I tip you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially not then.\u201d<\/p>\n

She blinked. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t pick up drunk women.\u201d Actually, between the med school grind and grabbing whatever work fit his busy schedule, he hadn\u2019t gotten laid in longer than he cared to consider.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not drunk,\u201d Claire enunciated very clearly. Her bleary eyes signified otherwise.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d Ridge released her wrists.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t take me home?\u201d She wobbled on her sandals. \u201cNo one ever takes me home. No one says I\u2019m beautiful. Everybody thinks I\u2019m fat. No one loves me. Everyone loves Tanya. Everyone loves Lacey. Some people even love Alicia. But I\u2019m unlovable!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not unlovable. And you\u2019re definitely not fat.\u201d Why did women think all men wanted to date human pogo sticks?<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I were five-seven and had great boobs, then would you have sex with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ridge trained his gaze on her face. \u201cYou do have great boobs.\u201d From what he\u2019d noticed moments ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not looking at them. You\u2019re not feeling them.\u201d Flinging her arms in the air, she launched herself at him. \u201cCatch!\u201d<\/p>\n

Instinctively, Ridge\u2019s hands shot up. Her rack landed in his palms. Oops<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere.\u201d Her loopy smile returned. \u201cNow tell me they aren\u2019t great.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never said they weren\u2019t great.\u201d Damn, they felt amazing. Spilling over his fingers. Firm yet soft. Perfection.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t look down.<\/em><\/p>\n

He looked down. His thumb edged the center bow, his fingers pressing the paper strips lining her bare skin above the modest neckline.<\/p>\n

Look back up, Pederson. Don\u2019t you dare squeeze these babies. Not even once.<\/em><\/p>\n

She slumped against him. Ridge stumbled back a step as her temple knocked his chin and her head sagged onto his shoulder. Her arms flopped at his sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cClaire?\u201d He glanced at her face.<\/p>\n

Her mouth had slackened with sleep, her eyes sealed shut.<\/p>\n

Damn it.<\/em><\/p>\n

She\u2019d passed out with her hot knockers filling his hands. What the hell did he do now?<\/p>\n

Want It? Buy Links!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kindle<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Kobo<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Apple iTunes<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

All Romance Ebooks<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Smashwords<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It’ll still be a few days until I have time to update the Books pages on my website, so I’m going ahead and posting about the release of Catching Claire, Story 2 in LOVE & OTHER CALAMITIES, here\u2014including the blurb, story cover, and an excerpt! Drum roll… Catching Claire is now available for Kindle, Kobo,… Continue reading Catching Claire Release!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46,16,45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blue-orchard-books","category-my-books","category-sindie-publishing","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6932"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6932\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6946,"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6932\/revisions\/6946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindyprocter-king.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}