TJ Michaels

Ooooh, things are getting a bit strange in our world of spirit guides and their charges. Mad men and kidnappers are running amok from Italy to Egypt, all in search of our heroine. Enjoy this snippet from Egyptian Voyage (available on Amazon.com, BN.com and on sale at 35% off at Smashwords with this code –>AQ73D), then visit the fabulous Snippet Saturday authors via the links at the bottom of this post. Mwahahahaaa!

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A single finger trailed over her shoulders and across the back of her neck as he moved around and around her still body.

“We are in Qarafa.” At her blank stare, he continued. “What Westerners would call The City of the Dead.”

“The who?”

“The City of the Dead,” he repeated in a disconcerting flat-sounding timbre. “This place was an important burial ground hundreds of years ago, now the poor gather here. Thousands of them. Just think, among soaring minarets, mosques, elaborate tombs of sultans and their families, live ordinary men and women. In fact, a lovely widow lives in a tomb room just a few doors down with her children.”

“But, but how?” Chrys stammered. Not from nervousness—she was too angry for that—but from the simple inability to fathom anyone living in a place like this.

“We have not so much thought of cemeteries as a place of the dead, but rather a place where life begins,” Eden replied. “The new tenants have adapted where the families of the dead used to come to spend time with their departed loved ones. Now the grave markers serve as desks and shelves, while strings hung between gravestones are used to dry laundry. As for the light, they’ve brought in the electricity by wires over the roofs coming from the nearby mosque. Pity, really.”

Well, the name certainly fit the place. The City of the Dead—northern Cairo’s four-mile-long walled necropolis that now housed thousands of families and countless small businesses. In this day and age? Amazing.

But it didn’t explain why the hell he’d brought her here. Not to mention he seemed too refined to have a “room” in this place for any virtuous purpose.

“But why…?”

“She thought I was wrong, you know. But I wasn’t, it was her. She’d made the mistake, stupid bitch.”

Okay, the words insane and crackpot came to mind. Chrys bit her tongue and let the man rant.

“Even pharaohs make mistakes. Sometimes deadly ones. But it really doesn’t matter. With you at my side, I have no need of another pharaoh or harem mistress. The tarot was connected to the Rahn asshole after all.”

Then Eden threw back his head and laughed as if the funniest joke in all of creation had just been told. Oookay? When the cackling ceased, Chrys took a slow breath, forced her words to emerge meek and humble.

“What tarot, Eden? I’d really like to understand.”

Hmm. That seemed to please the walking nut job.

With a smile, he stopped circling and stopped in front of her. From his left breast pocket, he removed a beautiful card covered with gold, black and lapis blue Egyptian symbols and hieroglyphs.

“It was the Empress. This card represents the Empress, see? I always selected different, and sometimes unusual, suits of cards, but she always explained them to me. But after I saw you for the first time aboard ship, I kept selecting this same card over and over. And always upside down. Stupid pharaoh had me believing it was because you were losing interest in the Rahn asshole.”

The bottom of Chrys’ stomach danced with unease. Now this was getting freaky. Right, as if Edenweren’t already in that category. She held her thoughts to herself, demanded her fists to remain still. Giving away the fact that her hands were no longer tied would probably make the man stop talking.

And that simply wouldn’t do. Her mate wanted a confession and, damn it, she was going to get him one.

“But you weren’t losing interest in him,”Eden rounded on her with a snarl. “You had no interest in me. But that will change, I promise you. I still don’t understand why he didn’t die.” Eden’s head tilted just a hair to the right, his expression one of genuine bewilderment.

“Die?” Chrys uttered in shock, and this time was no act.

“Yes, die, damn it all. He was supposed to die. I know I cut him in the right spot. But you came and did something to him. What did you do to him? All I wanted to do was stomp his brains out when I came into your apartment and saw you covered with his blood. You were moving toward the phone to call for help while that damned Rahn moaned like a foaling cow on the bathroom floor.”

Chrys fought for calm, begging her spirit guides to send her a large dose and fast. Adonei’s power still pulsed through her body and she fought to keep her temper under control, fought to keep the fierce force of the lion leashed.

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Snippet Saturday Authors
Anne Rainey
Eliza Gayle
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Mandy M Roth
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Selena Blake
Vivian Arend
Alison Kent
Beth-Ann Mason
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Lauren Dane
Lacey Savage
Shiloh Walker

Enjoy a quick peek into the mind of our villain from Jaguar’s Rule, then visit the fabulous Snippet Saturday authors via the links at the bottom of this post.

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Tonight he watched her in her pelt and wondered if she was aware he knew who she was. All this time he’d thought she was just another jag female, but an accidental glimpse of her showering on her screened veranda several nights back had revealed more than he’d ever expected.

He’d stayed perfectly still, perched in a tree, and watched the back of the building he’d tracked her to. After awhile, his patience had paid off. She’d stalked from the cover of the jungle and stopped to look around. He hadn’t been seen perched up on the thick branches and was glad for the broad leaves surrounding him. The female melanistic jaguar with her black, smooth coat glistening in the darkness walked up the back stairs of the building. A few seconds later, a beautiful woman with perfect milk chocolate skin and the body of a goddess stood up just outside the door leading into the covered shelter then ducked inside. The warm spray of water left a million sparkling droplets that shined like little diamonds all over her ebon skin.

The spicy rich scent of the soap she slathered on her body floated out and away from her little haven. But the soap couldn’t conceal the sweet nectar gathering between her silken thighs, nor could it hide the unusually spicy scent of her womanly dew. He could smell it from here—she was in heat.

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Snippet Saturday authors
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Selena Robins
Eliza Gayle
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Mandy M Roth
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Selena Blake
Vivian Arend
Beth-Ann Mason
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Lauren Dane
Shiloh Walker

All kinds of interesting things can happen in the workplace, which makes this theme near and dear to my heart. Why? Because I work with some people who:

1. Absolutely hate my guts for no reason whatsoever
2. Would take any opportunity to throw me under the bus or stab me in the neck with a dull pencil just for grins
3. Would try to get under my skin the same way our very bad girl from Caramel Kisses, Alex, is doing in the following scene.

Enjoy this excerpt from Caramel Kisses and feel free to hit me up on Facebook  and let me know how you’d handle Mizz Alex. Afterward, be sure to visit all the other Snippet Saturday authors via the links at the bottom of the post.

Bitches of the world unite…so we can tie you all up and take care of you all at once with super-soakers on blast! Heh!

Speaking of Sundays, Drew even appreciated joining her in front of the television for a good football game. Even if he did like the Raiders. Well, nobody was perfect…but damn if Drew wasn’t awful close.

Bottom line—could she get past the taboo of dating a younger man? A man she enjoyed both in and out of bed? Just the thought made her smile all the way to the Expedex restaurant-styled cafe.

Drew looked up and smiled, then stood and pulled out her chair. Gentleman to the bone. “Syd, you all right,” he asked softly once he was seated.

Sydni could have kicked herself. She’d slipped back into thinking so hard and deep over the what-if’s that she’d zoned right out.

God, Drew couldn’t know what was on her mind. They’d already covered most of this ground in their endless talks—which she’d enjoyed, by the way—and surely the man was getting tired of her voicing the same tired concerns. This subject should be good and buried, yet it wasn’t quite dead in Sydni’s mind yet.

But before she could open her mouth to assure both him and herself, they were no longer alone.

“So, you’re the new head of legal for Japan, eh?”

Interesting. Sydni had never noticed how pretty—young and pretty—Alexandra Voltier was. Until now.

Drew stood and extended his hand with a friendly smile. But there was no heat behind it. Nothing like the blinding, completely focused gaze he tended to pin her with.

“Yes. I was recently promoted into the Japanese division. I’m Drew. Drew Caruth.” He shook her hand and sat right back down again.

“Mmm, yes, I know.”

Was that a purr lacing Alex’s words? Bitch. Sydni didn’t make a sound, nor did she look up. Just stabbed the lettuce of her salad like she wanted to put a hole in the bowl. Drew looked her way but said nothing.

“So, Drew, how do you like working with Ms. Cannes in the Japan group? I hear she’s a tough nut to crack, but once you get inside…she really knows her stuff.” The woman didn’t even bother to hide the real meaning of her words.

Sydni felt her lover’s eyes on her but refused to look up or acknowledge the conversation.

“It’s been awesome. The deals you all put together are a little different than what I’m used to, but everyone’s been very helpful.” Drew’s words were laced with just the slightest, quickly hidden confusion.

“If there’s anything I can do,” the woman said with a sexy drawl that made Sydni’s gaze finally snap up. “Anything at all, be sure and let me know.”

Well, that was more than suggestive considering Alex’s focus was on Drew’s crotch while she handed him her card. With a big assed grin plastered across her face she said, “Perhaps lunch sometime. Or dinner? Or whatever.” Hell, Sydni wondered when the woman’s fangs would begin to show.

“Thank you for the offer,” Drew returned smoothly. “But I usually have dinner with my woman.”

God, she so couldn’t deal with this right now. It was just too much, especially on the heels of all her insecurity. Not only were her thoughts in turmoil, but The Bitch chose that moment to poke her head into Drew’s business. Well, maybe this was for the best. If Sydni gave him an out, opened a door for him to walk away from whatever it was they were developing, perhaps he’d take the opportunity to get with Alex? Take the chance to be with someone a bit closer to his own age.

Sydni stood so fast her chair shot back several inches and scraped the hardwood floor. Relieved that the thing hadn’t crashed to the floor, she squared her shoulders and spoke evenly.

“I have some work to do. I’ll catch you guys later.”

Alex’s smile quirked up into what could only be described as a predatory grin. “Perhaps I can keep Drew here company while he finishes his meal?”

“Be my guest,” Sydni bit out, then snatched her plate off the table. She turned on her heel, biting her bottom lip to keep it from trembling as she dumped her uneaten food in the trash. All she gave Drew was a good view of her back as she retreated

Drew’s expression remained schooled, but his body language screamed “What the fuck?” But the instant surge of jealousy she felt, though unreasonable, had her inner witch peeking her head out to play. And not in a good way.

By the time she got to the elevator, her stomach boiled, skin flushed hotly, and temper flared. But Sydni was most angry at herself. Damn it, she’d never retreated in her life. That was something usually reserved for others to do to her, not receive from her. Yet, she’d bailed. With style, no doubt, but bailing was bailing no matter how classy it was done.

Too late. Sigh.

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Snippet Saturday Authors
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Eliza Gayle
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Mandy M Roth
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Alison Kent
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Lauren Dane
Lacey Savage
Shiloh Walker

Today’s Snippet Saturday theme is author’s choice. Honestly I actually like having a specific theme because I love so many books it’s tough to pick a scene that I want to post. And I obviously can’t post the whole book, right *bleh* ;D

So I think I’ll choose something a bit sassy from a book where all the characters have a bit of pizzazz in one way or another. After the excerpt be sure to visit all the other Snippet Saturday authors via the links at the bottom of the page.

Egyptian Voyage
Copyright 2006 by TJ Michaels

One more step and his erection thudded against her stomach, just underneath her breasts and partially hidden by the frothing water. Her heart rate kicked up into overdrive and breathing was a whole lot higher on the scale of important things to do. Okay, time to go. So, why weren’t her legs carrying her the hell out of the damned hot tub?

“Chrysalyn?” he asked, seeking her permission to touch with a whisper-soft plea against the side of her face. With her butt rooted to the spot, she watched one of his large, strong hands move toward her face to remove her sunglasses as the other tipped her chin up just before his lips brushed sensuously against hers.

“Chrys, baby, I’ve missed you so much.” His breath was a barrage of peppermint flowing over her cheek, followed by Eskimo kisses. When was the last time she’d rubbed noses with a man, or anyone for that matter?

His perfectly chiseled body scant inches from hers sent the blood dancing in her veins as the heat in her own skin threatened to out heat the bubbling tub. God, why had he always been able to get to her like this? Especially when she should totally hate the bastard—the dark-haired, tawny-eyed, gorgeous and seemingly sincere bastard. The knowledge that he could move her like no one else pissed her off.

*Or perhaps you are more angry with yourself?* Adonei queried as he faded to a little corner of her mind.

Nope! She was not angry with herself. Even if she had made every dumb decision possible during that rocky period while on the rebound from Rahn. Even if he would have crawled back, she’d simply been too proud to forgive him, determined to stay with the fiancé from hell just to prove a point.

Oooh, but now he nibbled that little spot he knew she liked while whispering her name between little bites.

“God, Chrysalyn, you taste so good,” he murmured against her slightly parted lips before covering her mouth with his. Any gentle intent dissolved into pure lust as he entangled his tongue with hers. She felt herself slip under his spell, felt the petals of her sex tingle and burn, and it had nothing to do with the heat of the hot tub.

Then she was suddenly empty. Rahn was there, but in her mind, she was utterly, totally alone.

Usually an expert at schooling her features, her emotions slipped out of her grasp and ran away from her. The panic that reared up to press against the middle of her chest was etched clearly across her face. Adonei! He was gone. They’d never been apart since the day she’d met him as a child. Why? Why now?

*I am here, Chrysalyn, but I would not disrespect you or your mate by intruding upon your mating.*

‘What? Adonei, don’t you dare leave me!’ she wailed in her head.

*Your mate will take good care of you. Do not worry. I will be near.*

‘My mate? What’s with this mate stuff? Adonei? Come back!’

“Hey, sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Rahn asked, letting her push away just a bit. The concern in his voice, accompanied by a little shake, broke through the wall of fear quickly erecting itself around her heart and snatched her back to the present.

“Are you all right?”

Her gut clenched painfully. All right? Hell no, she wasn’t all right, but it would be a seven-below-zero day in hell before she admitted it. He couldn’t possibly understand the emptiness in her head, the little void in her heart that was always filled with Adonei’s presence. Just the thought of being alone inside her own mind was downright terrifying.

Rahn crooned into her ear, holding her tenderly, gently massaging the muscles of her back. “You look afraid. You know I won’t hurt you, love.”

Still shaken from Adonei’s absence, she snapped, “I’m not afraid of you, Rahn.” And moved to jump out of the tub.

Rahn’s hand wrapped firmly around her biceps just as her toe hit the edge of the Jacuzzi. She froze.

“I’m sorry, Chrys. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said quickly, his smooth voice full of concern. The pained expression in his deep amber eyes moved something buried inside her she’d thought long dead—the ability to receive comfort from a man. That comfort eased through her heart, mind and body, worked its way to her head and calmed her fears.

SNIPPET SATURDAY AUTHORS – ENJOY!
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Selena Robins
Eliza Gayle
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Mandy M Roth
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Selena Blake
Vivian Arend
Alison Kent
Beth-Ann Mason
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Lauren Dane
Lacey Savage
Shiloh Walker