This is a continuation of the Sister Tiff scene where she's arguing with Ariana. Jasmine defends Roth.
Ariana’s mouth tightened. “I’m not taking chances with my kids.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to!”
“The way he watches them like they’re infectious or not human puts me on edge.”
“He’s never been... 2023-12-14 16:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
Pleased with everyone’s reactions to her gifts, she got to her feet and took the seat beside Roth. She wasn’t surprised when Bailey crawled into her lap, but she was startled when the little girl plopped into the small gap between her and Roth. He went rigid and stared straight ahead while Bailey asked questions about the castle and shook the globe the moment the glitter settled. Not to be left out of anything, Kye scrambled onto her lap with one of the books and asked her to rea... 2023-12-12 16:00:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Q&A/Meetup in an hour!
For those who are new, this is an hour long chat on Discord where you can ask questions, get to know each other, and we talk about any and everything 😁 I won't be revealing spoilers, but I try to answer as much as I can! If you haven't joined our Discord server yet, here's the link. Once you're logged onto the server, look under Social>meetup. That's where we'll be. See you there! 🎄...
2023-12-11 00:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThis was a complete turnaround from the last family dinner she attended. The mood was easy and the conversation, while it touched on business, didn’t revolve around that singular topic. That was mostly due to Lyle, who seemed to be going out of his way to keep the conversation varied and light. When their eyes met, he winked. She gave him an appreciative smile.
At some point, she caught the intimate looks passing between Colette and Lyle. Her sister re... 2023-12-10 16:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Feeling out of sorts, she searched for and located Roth, who stood before the side table, laden with traditional Thanksgiving dishes. She made her way over to him, wondering how he handled knowing the worst traits and habits of everyone around him.
She stopped by his side and resisted the urge to lean into him. He was so sure of himself, so calm despite the dangerous environment he worked in. His security measures made sense. So did his need to be armed.... 2023-12-09 16:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Printed out 2/3 of Bitter Confessions last night. God, seeing it in physical form is 😳.
It’s been insanely hectic! I did 2 rounds of editing for the Bitter Heat audiobook, which took way more time than I thought but I finalized it this morning and it’s going through quality control and should be on retailers within the next week or two.
Re-reading Bitter Secrets. Hoping to finish that today. Will start on revisions Sunday or Monday. 💛 We’re getting there guys! Hope y...
2023-12-08 22:06:05 +0000 UTC View Post“Have you had visitors come by to see Polara? Your mom?”
Colette’s face went blank. “No.” She looked down at her daughter, brushing her finger over the baby’s cheek as she said, “I called to let her know about her first grandchild. I left a message. She didn’t return my call, but she sent diamond earrings, a piece of art, and a piggy bank.”
From Ariana’s startled expression, this was news even to her. 2023-12-07 16:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey guys! We’re going to have our monthly Q&A/Meetup on Discord this Sunday, December 10 at 5pm Pacific Standard Time!
For those who are new, this is an hour long chat on Discord where you can ask questions, get to know each other, and we talk about any and everything 😁 I won't be revealing spoilers, but I try to answer as much as I can! If you haven't joined our Discord server yet, here's the link. Once you...
2023-12-06 22:29:48 +0000 UTC View PostThe lobby was filled with people. As they made their way through the crowded entrance, she saw Mo behind the wheel of the Bentley. She gripped Roth’s arm to get his attention.
“Can we walk?” When he stared at her, she said, “It’s just a block.” And she needed a breather before facing her family.
He walked over to Johan, who had the back door open. Johan’s brows shot up before his face smoothed into impassive lines. H... 2023-12-05 16:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
She was putting on a sultry brown lipstick when Roth reentered the bathroom, pants undone and buttoning a fresh shirt. He went to his vanity, which was opposite to hers. She rubbed her lips together and watched him in the mirror as he tucked his shirt into his pants and then zipped. He brushed his teeth, ran a comb through his hair and beard before he turned and headed for the door.
“I’m ready when you are,” he said.
She whipped h... 2023-12-03 16:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
This is her getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner with her family, which is why Roth wrapped up his business in London and they rushed home.
She sang along to Christmas music as she did her makeup. She was flying high on festive cheer. She had a productive day wrapping the gifts she picked up on her travels while catching up with Johnny and Penelope. She unpacked her luggage and ignored Roth’s text, telling her that the housekeepers could do that for her. The fact that ... 2023-12-02 16:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
How the hell was she going to write the next book in the series while she was deadlocked in an unconventional marriage of convenience with her ex? She could scrap what she’d written in London and take out the whole Rex reconciliation storyline, but then what? In the previous book, the main focus had been Juliet repairing her relationship with her father, interspersed with colorful sexcapades to offset the serious, emotional undertones. She planned for book five to be the finale, bu... 2023-11-30 16:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
FOR THOSE IN THE "BEHIND THE SCENES" TIER:
PLEASE DIRECT MESSAGE ME YOUR MAILING ADDRESS IF YOU'D LIKE A CARD! BECAUSE I DIDN'T SPECIFY THAT THIS TIER RECEIVES PHYSICAL BENEFITS, IT WON'T ALLOW ME TO SEE YOUR MAILING ADDRESSES AND IF I CHANGE THE TIERS IT WANTS TO ALTER TAXES AND ALL KINDS OF DRAMA. SO, IF YOU'D LIKE A CARD, PLEASE DIRECT MESSAGE ME YOUR MAILING ADDRESS.
If you have any questions, let me know! Sorry about that! Also, if you want the card addressed...
2023-11-30 01:22:59 +0000 UTC View Post
Sending out little thank you cards in December and January as a thank you for supporting me and my work ❤️ I’m just doing a little bit every day so if you’d like one, update your mailing address in your account! I’m still waiting on the mailing labels but I thought I’d get started on this since I could potentially be writing out around 200 😳😂 I’ll be sending them out in little batches throughout the month.
**UPDATE:
FOR THOSE IN T...
2023-11-30 00:50:31 +0000 UTC View PostTheir relationship wasn’t perfect, but he was trying. So much so that Mo, Johan, and Sarai couldn’t take their eyes off him during the flight back to New York. They sat beside each other, which she had always avoided in the past. When she wasn’t napping, he was all over her—or made sure she was on him, either sitting on his lap or straddling him. He carried her into the bathroom twice to have his wicked way with her, and casually mentioned that he bought a jet that had a bedr... 2023-11-28 16:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Almost done listening to the Bitter Heat audiobook! I'm on the last 3 chapters. This book is about 9 hours, 30 minutes long. I've read this book countless times, but the audiobook forces me to slow down and really listen to every word. The different tones bring the characters to life and had me daydreaming about what's to come in the series and also scenes I want to include in Roth's future book.
I was surprised that I teared up during the flashback when she agrees to marry him, h...
2023-11-27 02:27:05 +0000 UTC View Post“I have to go.”
He didn’t ask for a kiss, he simply cupped her chin and lifted her mouth to take what he wanted. He took his time. Her hand was wrapped in his coat before he broke the kiss and looked down at her.
“Okay?” he asked.
In the past few days, she realized this was his way of asking if she wanted something of him before he left her.
As she had every single time he asked,... 2023-11-26 16:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
For new members, here's the link to Discord! We'll have a monthly Q&A meet at the beginning of December!
2023-11-25 20:28:52 +0000 UTC View PostThis scene is part of this one: Back in New York City. I accidentally posted this out of sequence.
“Roth.”
“What?” he said absently as he scrolled through something on his phone.
“It’s Thanksgiving.”
He looked back at her, frowning. “It’s what?”
“Thanksgiving.” She ... 2023-11-25 16:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
“Your family is safe from me.” His eyes dropped to her mouth. “And your promise?”
“I’ll stay.”
His mouth slammed onto hers with enough force that she reared back. Her hands flailed, clipping the vase, but he wrapped his arm around her and hauled her against him. He ravaged her. She let go of her worries, fears, and uncertainty and let him sweep her away, reveling in the strength that could destroy and protect with equal fe... 2023-11-23 16:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
I wanted to come on here a day early and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving (for those who celebrate)! I'm so grateful for each and every one of you! Having you all on this journey with me is such a blessing.
Updates:
I got around 65k words into book 4, which is a little more than what I'd consider a third of the rough draft. That's excellent progress! I surprised myself. I wanted to go as far as I could into the next book to see if I needed to add foreshadowing in...
2023-11-22 16:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostReading the reports on her family is a revelation. Now that she knows "all" he asks her to recommit to him. This is the following inner monologue:
The enormity of that promise made her blood run cold. She was sure he could feel her heart pounding, since his hand still cradled her breast. She was already in, but he was asking for a recommitment now that she knew all. She could burn the fruits of his labor and make all his methodical planning—the staged wedding, the announcemen... 2023-11-21 16:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
“Did you orchestrate that meet in Philadelphia? When we went for coffee?”
“Yes.”
Her lashes swept down to conceal the disappointment that clouded her eyes. A part of her knew that meetup was pushing coincidence too far. She was too old to believe in fate, but she’d harbored a small kernel of hope, which just died.
“You played me,” she said quietly.
“Did I?”
She held his gaze as she said, “You looked into my father.” He didn’t confirm it, but they both knew he didn’t have to. “Did you uncover something on him that you were able to use to your advantage when he blackmailed you?”
His double blink was gratifying.
“The rose colored glasses are coming off,” he murmured with warm approval as he brushed a kiss on her temple.
She pushed him away a... 2023-11-18 16:00:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Roth gives her the evidence he's collected on Ariana, Colette, & Rami for her to read through.
“Here.”
She rose, rubbing her hands nervously down her legs as Roth rounded the couch with three thick files in his arms.
“Where do you want it?”
“Uh…” She was taken aback by the size of the files, but she should have known better. He’d been watching them for years, right? She pointed to the hi... 2023-11-16 16:00:12 +0000 UTC View Post
I'm brainstorming flashbacks. I've included their first time in book 4. Are there any interactions from the past with her family, Roth, Ford, or another character that you think would be interesting to see?
**These are flashbacks from Jasmine’s POV.
2023-11-15 20:55:50 +0000 UTC View PostContinuation of previous snippet, "Why do you think I was unfaithful?"
“Stop deflecting. Why do you think I was unfaithful?”
Her wavering control splintered, causing her to slam her hands against his chest. “No one had to tell me! I saw it with my own eyes!”
“Saw what?”
“That we never... 2023-11-14 16:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
“I never considered marrying someone from my father’s world. I wanted someone normal, someone…”
His cutting look of censure stopped her from finishing her sentence.
“Someone like the dozens of losers you fucked the year you still had my name and hid from me?”
Even as her stomach clenched, she forced her lips to curve in a mocking smile and ignored the shame that snaked through her belly. “I guess th... 2023-11-12 16:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Continuation of previous snippet. "I had no intention of letting you keep me a dirty secret."
When she tried to look away, he cupped her chin and leaned down, so she couldn’t avoid him.
“I wanted to give that woman the world, but before I could, she ran from me. I told you where my head was, why I lied and said you weren’t worth the struggle, but I never ... 2023-11-11 16:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Roth monologue, talking about the beginning of their relationship:
“I wanted you when I spotted you across a crowded room. I coveted you the moment you looked up at me, before you spoke your first word. Every weakness I uncovered, I used to bind you to me. Whatever your family wouldn’t give you, I did. I gave you my time and attention and encouraged your dreams of being a writer. Baldwin was so sure of himself, he didn’t even try to seduce you, so I did. I always intended... 2023-11-09 16:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post