JUST ONE SPARK: A picture is worth...

Had Mason been teasing her about snooping, or did he really want her to? Hannah ran her fingers across the mismatched photo albums. If a picture was worth a thousand words… 

It would certainly serve him right. She hadn’t looked through his things at all in the week she’d been staying here. And tomorrow she’d agreed to meet his parents. She’d look through the pictures to make sure nothing surprised her. Look out for a two-headed aunt or something. Maybe see if she could find out where he got those eyes.

She curled up on the couch with an album of travel photos. He’d been almost everywhere. And from the looks of it, with quite a few women. It didn’t surprise her, but it stung. One day she’d wind up as nothing more than a snapshot tucked into an album. Fire training dominated another album. He’d told her he’d fought forest fires during the summers in college, but the pictures made it all too real. She slammed the album shut halfway through. She’d have to finish that one day when he wasn’t at work. 

An eight-by-ten of a beautiful brown-eyed baby girl stared out from the front page of the final album. Hannah smiled, immediately recognizing Ryan’s nose. This must be Rianna. Sure enough, the following pages were a testament to the McNally family devotion to the next generation. Anyone holding Rianna in the snapshots was smiling. There was one of Derek holding her at arm’s length because she was covered in spaghetti. One of Ryan with his face and her hands covered in finger paint. Mike having a tea party wearing a tiara, and one of an older woman who must be their mother brushing Rianna’s long blonde hair. A child would be so blessed to be part of this family. 

Her breath caught in her throat when she turned the page. A picture of Mason asleep in a recliner with a napping Rianna curled up on his chest. He’d be a wonderful father. She squeezed her eyes shut at the notion, hot tears prickling her eyelids. She just had baby on the brain because of turning thirty next week. That’s all.

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For Kicks

Once the job is done, is their relationship more than just for kicks

Breeze Cohen knows there’s something missing from her life, but her career doesn’t leave time for anything but retail business strategy. She has to prove herself by making sure the product launch for her company’s cornerstone client, Nitrous, is a success. No way is she is she about to let live-for-the-moment Logan Chandler tarnish her professional reputation. Even if the former athlete is now Nitrous’s poster boy and makes her heart pound like she’s run a marathon.

​

After surviving a near-fatal accident, Logan doesn’t want to waste a minute of life. It’s meant to be lived, ravished, enjoyed—and there’s no one he’d like to ravish more than Breeze. There’s a fiery desire beneath her icy facade. He can feel it every time they touch.

​

Logan’s ready to take her for a run on the wild side—but he’ll have to catch her.

EXCERPT

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REVIEWS

• "For Kicks is as decadent as a chocolate layer cake, as bubbly as a flute of champagne and as exhilarating as a roller-coaster ride. Bayley-Burke writes blood-pumping contemporary romance that will leave readers energized." 4 1/2 stars, Romantic Times
• Like a piece of sweet chocolate, For Kicks is a quick bite of delicious fun. - Library Journal
• Definitely a fairytale.  - Romance Reader at Heart
• The dialogue and writing are quick, short and snappy... It is a wonderful read. - Long & Short Reviews
• Jenna Bayley-Burke brings readers a hot and sensual romance full of the flavor of love – a little spicy, a little sweet, and very fulfilling. - Romance Divas
• Entertaining story filled with corporate intrigue, sensual temptations, and a slow seduction that will make your heart flutter." Sensual Read
• It's witty, sweet, and sexy.- Mama Knows Books
• I could not put this book down. Oh and did I mention the love scenes? Oh my...way to melt the panties." - Romance Book Craze
• A very entertaining read with an uber hot ex-athlete with an inventive use of chocolate.  - Night Owl Reviews
• The phone sex scene was one of the better ones I’ve read in a long time. - Cocktail Reviews
• "[Logan] pursued Breeze like "a Black Friday shopper" and it definitely added to the humor of this story, as did Breeze's attempts to always turn the tables on Logan. I will definitely be recommending For Kicks to all of my friends." -- Guilty Pleasures, 4 stars

A Little Lust In Translation

LUST IN TRANSLATION

by Jenna Bayley-Burke

"Cross a meandering playboy with a studious control freak driving cross country and you have a plot that is fresh, fun, and blatantly sexy!" 5 stars, Slick Reads at Guilty Pleasures 

**Blog Exclusive Excerpt**

The sky darkened and the storm that had been threatening for the past few hours loomed in the distance. Xavier must have sensed it too. He’d raised the roof of the convertible, closing them in the small space with no distractions from the conversation they needed to have. But even with over an hour of driving behind them, she still hadn’t figured out how to talk him into getting her to Oregon as fast as possible.

She turned in her seat and pulled out her travel folder, then placed it on her lap. Inside were the maps of three different routes they could take, with hotel stops marked along the way. She’d taken the drive so many times she barely needed them anymore, but it was always best to be prepared.

“What do you have there?” Xavier’s deep voice slid over her like molten chocolate over a truffle.

Truffles. Like the white chocolate version Allison had ordered for the wedding. Jaime blinked and steered her mind back to business.

“Driving directions. Since we got a late start and it looks like a storm up ahead, I think we should stop in Pittsburgh for the night. If the weather holds we might be able to make it to Ohio.”

His hands tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. “How long were you thinking it would take us to get across the country?”

“Less than three days if we drive in shifts and get lucky with the weather. I don’t mind driving in the dark as long as it’s clear, but when it storms I’d rather be inside.”

“I don’t think we should get too caught up in the details, J’aime. It’s far too restricting.”

“It’s much more efficient this way.”

The muscles in his neck flexed as he swallowed. “I think we should stop sooner rather than later. That way we can get a few things straight before we head out tomorrow.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Such as?”

“I’m not driving three thousand miles to get somewhere; I actually want to see the country. I won’t be driving at night, or in a hurry. I want to enjoy the trip. You should too.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but wasn’t sure which argument to make. It wasn’t that she was against enjoying the trip. It just didn’t serve the purpose of getting to Oregon. 

She had to get there soon so she could start networking her way into a teaching position and find an apartment. She’d been on her own far too long to live at home for more than a couple weeks.

“This is an adventure. When was the last time you did something exciting? Something just to enjoy it?”

She couldn’t come up with a single instance, but would die before admitting it. “My life has plenty of excitement.”

He smirked. “Tell me about it.”

Clearing her throat, she offered up the graduation party she’d chaperoned, carefully omitting the fistfight that had broken out in the parking lot.

“That’s work. Do you ever enjoy yourself away from the kids?”

Again she felt like a fish, her mouth gaping open. “I run and I taught rock-climbing classes.” He looked thoroughly unconvinced she’d ever experienced elation. “Teaching is fun for me.”

“But what do you do for you, J’aime?”

Lightning flashed in the distance, illuminating angry clouds and a horizon blurred by driving rain. Electricity crackled in the atmosphere, the current flowing through the dense, humid air. She spied a road sign as they barreled down the freeway. Ten miles to Bedford. She checked her notes to see if they could stop there.

“What are you doing?” His voice held a mocking quality she didn’t appreciate.

“Looking to see if there is a Holiday Motel in Bedford. The weather looks pretty nasty up ahead.” The thunderous skies above them loomed ominously, waiting to release their fury.

“We’re not staying in a motel.”

“I have a preferred-customer account there. For every ten nights I stay, I get a night free.” Jaime rifled through the papers, looking for the list of participating motels along their route. “There isn’t a Holiday Motel in Bedford, so we’ll have to keep going. The closest one is in Mt. Pleasant, but that is barely an hour from Pittsburgh, so we might as well go all the way.”

“J’aime, can I see that folder?” He held out his large hand, never taking his attention from the road.

“While you’re driving?” To emphasize her point, large raindrops began to splatter on the windshield.

“I want a better look at that map on the top of the page.”

Reluctantly, she slipped the folder into his hand. He set it on his lap and pressed a button to lower the window. Before she could decide what he was up to, he’d slid her folder out the cracked window.

“Hey!” she yelled, the seatbelt cutting into her shoulder as she turned to watch the pages fluttering behind them. “That was mine. And littering is a huge fine, I’ll have you know.”

“Do you feel better?” A drum roll of thunder underscored his words.

“Better? I’m in a car with a crazy man who just dumped our itinerary in the middle of the road.”

Find out what happens now...

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FREE Book of the Month :: Just Married

Just Married is Heroes & Heartbreakers eBook of the Month selection! That means... it's FREE. 

Head over to their site for a free download & lots of fun conversations. I mentioned FREE, right?


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A friendship with benefits.
A marriage of convenience
The shock of a lifetime

NOT MY 1st RODEO is Back & Better Than Ever!!

Once upon a time, at the RWA conference in San Antonio,  I made Donna Alward to laugh. And then Sarah M. Anderson gave us the side eye... and the rest is Not My 1st Rodeo. 

My best ideas can start from the silliest of situations. While in Texas, I saw a commercial for a farmers dating website. I decided the commercial would be far sexier with cowboys. I told my online bestie Donna Alward to write me that book, but with hot cowboys and an imaginary schmexy dating site.

Donna is a good friend, so encouraged me to write the story myself. And to make sure I did, she'd do it with me. Sarah got roped in too...claiming the widower before we even finished telling her the idea.

I claimed the virgin...and then we decided on the Not My1st Rodeo theme. Our site would cater to the hot cowboys I wanted, but to create the deep emotion Donna and Sarah are known for we targeted those daters looking for a second chance at romance. A virgin who’d been divorced or widowed? How was I going to manage that?

I knew what I wanted in the story – a sexy summer thunderstorm, rustic cabin, and rancher who looked great with his shirt off. As long as I got my wish list, virginity was a minor inconvenience. Which gave me an idea...

If everyone who reads the Not My 1st Rodeo stories has half as much fun as we had writing them, it will be a very happy summer!  

Here's a bit of my contribution to the anthology releasing in just SIX DAYS!

Anything for a Cowboy by Jenna Bayley-Burke

About the story:

When veterinarian Jacy Weston changes her location on her western dating website profile, she thinks it’s no big deal. Opal Creek…Myrtle Creek…what’s the difference? As little white lies go, this one barely qualifies. Besides, since her brothers have chased off every guy within a hundred miles, the expiration date on her virginity is way past due.

Ray Mitchell is not inclined to waste his time on something as unnecessary as dating, but it’s much easier to take a woman to coffee than to explain to his mother why he’s in no hurry to get married again. Despite NotMy1stRodeo.com’s promises, he doubts he’ll find any woman willing to find herself stuck on a remote ranch raising rodeo stock.

But Jacy is different. She isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Or to get down and dirty. Ray’s thinking he’s found the one, until the truth comes out…and he realizes the divorcee from the next county he’s been dating doesn’t exist.

Warning: Contains a virginal heroine looking for the nearest exit for the horizontal highway to heaven, and a cowboy willing to go the distance for the right woman.

EXCERPT

Ray knew his smile was probably a bit too wide, but it matched Jacy’s. He pulled off his gloves and stuck them in the back pocket of his jeans as he crossed the gravel yard to meet her beside her mammoth truck. Just like earlier, he felt that instant tug of desire, the urgent longing of man for woman. Every stray thought since he’d left her had been about her naked. And standing here with her flaming-red hair, worn jeans and a white tank top, she slid into every fantasy he’d ever had.

“You found me,” he said, instead of asking to skip the ride and take things indoors.

“The directions were spot on.” She put her hands in her back pockets, drawing his attention to her breasts. He forced his gaze up to the watercolor swirl of her hazel eyes.

“How long do you think we’ll be out for? Should I take a coat?”

“I’m not taking one.” He rubbed his hand against the back of his neck, suddenly all hot and prickly. He’d prefer she not cover up, but that was for selfish reasons. Good thing one of them was practical.

“Then I won’t either. I tend to run hot.”

Her words hit him right in the libido. But like this morning, he didn’t know how to read it. He didn’t want to jump too far ahead and risk getting kicked out of the game entirely. He nodded and walked back towards the stable. She fell in step beside him.

“Who am I riding today?”

He clenched his fists and dragged his dirty mind out of the gutter. Since he’d sworn off dating-site hookups six months back, he hadn’t bothered with sex, a fact his body had decided to alert him to today. He hadn’t been this focused on bedding a woman since his first time.

Ray cleared his throat as they entered the paddock. “I saddled Little Joe for you. He knows this place better than I do. Plus, he’s as smooth as we’ve got since Candy’s getting ready to foal.”

She stopped beside him and reached for the gelding paint. “And who is this handsome fella?”

“No flirting with my girl, Hoss.” He patted the horse’s neck and undid the cross ties keeping the youngster in place. Joe whinnied in his stall.

“Let’s make him jealous,” she mock-whispered before mounting his horse in a smooth movement.

“Seriously?” He spoke more to Joe than anything, since Jacy had ridden Hoss smoothly into the corral. He climbed onto the horse his mother usually rode. “You better keep up, old man.”

CARIBBEAN CASANOVA

A bad boy can be so very good...

When Holly Hansen locks lips with the most notorious playboy on the Caribbean isle of Anguilla, she has one thing in mind - business. She'll do anything to ensure the photo shoot for her beachwear fashion line succeeds, even if that means throwing herself in Harm's way.

Harmannus Prinsen is surprised by the curvy vixen's kiss, and not just because she's a stranger. He plays along until he realizes her game, and then changes the rules. He'll help her with the shoot, she'll help him improve his reputation, and they'll both walk away with what they want.

Except when the shoot is over, what they want has changed completely.


Warning: This trip to the Caribbean includes cock-blocking, sexytimes on the beach, lewd acts in windows, and naughty happenings against a bookcase. Don't climb on board unless you can handle a wild ride. 

💋 💋 

An all-around good tale, with lots of spicy sensuality and graphic language. A good read for the beach this summer. - Library Journal

Caribbean Casanova has everything you want; a gratifying love story between two interesting characters, a beautiful tropical setting, witty dialog, and a surprise ending that will bring a tear to your eye and leave you satisfied. ~ Guilty Pleasures

Caribbean Casanova is a fun and sexy read. ~ Tiffany Talks Books

💋 💋 

Excerpt

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Caribbean Caress Excerpt

The Under the Caribbean Sun series returns with Caribbean Caress. Fingers crossed everyone loves Joe & Saskia - and the isle of Anguilla - as much as I do.

Joe liked her. She knew it. The giddy rush swept through her, making her body tingle. When she’d arrived, she was sure he found her as annoying as ever, but as they laughed and ate and talked in the Beachside kitchen his focus shifted like sand on the dunes at Rendezvous Bay.

He had as much reason to be wary of her intentions as she had of his, but everything seemed to dissolve by the second bottle of the Ramseys’ delicious champagne. Saskia tipped back her glass and let the bubbles dance down her throat.

“This place belongs in heaven.”

Della smiled wide, as if life had remained simple, charmed even. “Anguilla is heaven, honey. Why do you think we live here?”

“I’m not even going to argue with you.” She slipped off the bar stool, finding her legs a little looser than she expected as she carried her plate to the giant sinks. She knew Joe followed right behind her, though she didn’t see him until she turned around.

“Then maybe you should move back home.” Della snapped a towel her way. “Your dad would love it. And he could use—”

“Dutch would love for you to visit more often,” Joe’s rich baritone rolled through her like music. He stood so close heat arced between them.

“I think I will.” She looked up at his pale-blue eyes, so light against his tanned face they seemed impossibly bright. And beautiful. Did he want more of her as well?

Della snapped her fingers, breaking the spell. “Where is Doug? We need another bottle of champagne for a toast.”

She wasn’t sure more champagne was a good idea, but it wasn’t as if she had to drive anywhere, or be up early tomorrow. And she felt like celebrating. She’d never felt as at home as she did here, surrounded by people who’d known her forever and wanted nothing more than to be with her.

Joe’s warm hand on the small of her back set off her libido like a string of firecrackers. Having a few days on the island with him watching her every move sounded better all the time.

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