"A hug is like a boomerang...you get it back right away."
~ Bil Keane

I admit it; I’m a tease. At least I am when it comes to the romantic payoffs in my book. Or, more specifically, the BFK.

BFK you ask? Why the Big First Kiss, of course. We all know the first kiss is a major turning point in a relationship. After the hero and heroine kiss, nothing between them is the same.

Thus, the challenge for a writer is to know when and where to place that first kiss. Is it the first chapter? The end of chapter three? How about the midpoint of the book?

The answer is any and all of the above. Because the first kiss is driven, not by you the author, but by your characters. They will decide when they kiss based on their history. For example, in my book, The Heart of a Hero, the characters don’t share their first kiss until the very last page. Sounds odd, but given the hero’s history – a very traumatic, guilt ridden past - kissing any earlier wouldn’t have worked.

Likewise, the hero and heroine in Daring to Date the Boss (available now!) drag out ...

Prior to this scene from A Secret in Her Kiss, the heroine, Mari Sinclair, failed to attend her first meeting with her new protector, Major Bennett Prestwood. Bennett he tracks her down. Mari literally runs into him as she drags her father out of an opium den.

Mari had to count to ten before speaking. Insufferable, insufferable man. “I know nothing of you, sir, and from this brief acquaintance, I am convinced that I would be most pleased to keep it so. I did not ask for your assistance and I do not desire it.”

Her words didn’t have a noticeable effect on the man standing before her. In fact, he appeared bored by her outburst. “I’m to watch over you. My orders are clear whether you sanction them or not.”

The man could teach a few things to a stone wall. Was he afraid she’d renege on her agreement? That she’d regain her senses and run away from all this? Her shoulder ached from supporting her father, and she shifted under the weight. Oh, she’d do their bidding. The British had ensured that.

And she’d been too weak to deny them.

She directed her disgust at him, grateful to ...

Thanks so much for letting me blog with you today! Alpha Instinct, the first book in my new paranormal series (Moon Shifter) is releasing today and I’d love to share a sneak peek into it.

Connor’s heart pounded an erratic tattoo against his chest as he raced back for the main house. He banged on the front door, then opened it.From the entryway Analena glared at him. “What the—”

“Fire. In the west field. Not close to the buildings, but that could change.”

Wordlessly she turned and fled up the stairs. Seconds later she came barreling back down with her two sisters, Noel and Carmen. Erin wasn’t too far behind.

“What precautions do you have set up?” he asked as they jogged toward the barn housing the horses.

“I’ve got a stockade of fire extinguishers and blankets in the barn. If the fire gets out of control, we’ve got vehicles prepared to transport the animals.”

“Good. I’m going to get Liam.” Nodding, she didn’t break stride as she headed for the barn.

He’d sent his brother to round up the rest of his pack. At least the wind had shown mercy on ...