Lara Santiago.com - Home Page

Friday, October 31, 2008

Mr. Right - Blind Date After Dark - Excerpt


Blind Date After Dark 1
Mr. Right

Lonely Melisa agrees to meet a blind date at a Halloween party.

An unexpectedly delicious, masked vampire greets her at the door. Once into the party, David whisks her upstairs after she trips and tends to her skinned knee.

Has she finally met Mr. Right?

David hasn't made time for the "right" kind of woman in his life until an unwanted blind date falls into his arms on All Hallows Eve.

Is she the one he's been waiting for to share his life?



Sensuality Rating: SIZZLING/SCORCHING
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Length: 12,000 words



"Have you ever been on a blind date? Chicken that I am, I never once chanced dating anyone unfamiliar who was “chosen for me” by friends or family. Therefore, I now explore the concept of blind dates and their infinite possibilities in my writing. I hope you all enjoy my very vivid imagination in the Blind Date After Dark series." ~ Lara ~

To BUY Mr. Right Click HERE


EXCERPT



Melisa Berrand brushed imaginary lint off of her costume, took a breath for courage, but paused before pressing the doorbell. The spooky party house, decorated elaborately for Halloween, awaited her. She wasn’t trick or treating tonight, unless of course trolling for a man counted.

A shiver of apprehension raced down her spine as she faced the ornately carved gothic door. Was someone watching her? Was there some spook or ghoul also attending the party tonight hot on her trail?

She glanced over one shoulder at the dark sidewalk behind her. The dimmed streetlight didn’t even cast enough of a glow to reach the road below.

She patted a hand over her loose curls. Nothing was out of place, except the hair bristling on the back of her neck. The well-manicured yard looked empty. She pushed out a long breath. Get a grip. No one is even out there, let alone paying any attention to you.

Glancing down at her medieval wench costume, she wondered if her attire said, “Sexy party outfit,” or “Desperate single female on the make.” Did she really need a date that badly? Perhaps not a date, but she wanted a man in her life, even if only temporarily.

The mere suggestion of going home alone to hand out candy to the few kids in her apartment building made the decision for her. Blind date nerves trumped loneliness every time.

She was sick of being solo during holidays. Did Halloween even count as a holiday? It didn’t matter. Thanksgiving, followed closely by Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day loomed closer and if she didn’t find a steady date soon, Melisa fearfully imagined she was headed for permanent spinsterhood.

Lonely libido kicking her in the core, she resolved to make tonight’s blind date work, no matter what it took. Thinking back to the past couple of abhorrent men she’d gone out with, she hoped tonight’s blind date was at least tolerable in the short term.

She sighed and rang the doorbell. The eerie creaking sound registered seconds before the huge door opened all by itself.

A self opening door? Really?

Head tilted to one side, she leaned forward to peek into the entryway. The lemon scent of well-conditioned hard wood and the waxy smell of burning candles greeted her. The sliver of space she could see was empty.

The door continued to open slowly. A sinister laugh pealed when it reached halfway. Another riotous tingle swept down her spine. Not for the first time, Melisa wondered if meeting a complete stranger at a Halloween party was the best idea.

An acquaintance, or rather Bill, the boyfriend of the new girl in the office, had set up this auspicious blind date. He insisted that the “vampire” she would meet tonight would change her life.

Melisa wasn’t looking for a life change so much as a steady boyfriend to keep from sitting home alone during the coming aforementioned romantic holidays. Although, if he were a vampire, she would miss out on so many cool daytime activities.

Given the beastly behavior of her last boyfriend, foregoing the daylight seemed a small price to pay if this guy would simply not be a bastard. Chiding herself for even the momentary belief in vampires, Melisa gathered her strength. There was no such thing as blood-sucking dead people roaming the earth.

“Enter if you dare!” the sinister voice from within the house bellowed. The entry challenge was followed by maniacal laughter.

Taking a deep breath for courage, she lifted her long wench skirt and stepped across the threshold. A tall man in a mask and a long black cape appeared out of nowhere, startling her. Melisa promptly tripped over her feet. Arms flailing, she landed hard against the man’s body grabbing onto his outstretched arms to keep from falling to the floor.

The caped man slid his hands beneath her arms, clutched her torso gently and steadied her on her feet. The movement brought her face first into his chest. Cheek resting against a firm unmovable body, Melisa looked up and found she embraced a fabulously luscious man.

Her palms slid from his muscular biceps to his solid forearms. His hands remained firmly attached to her torso, which was not a hardship. Having a man’s hands gracing her body after so long without intimate contact made her long for more touching.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She sucked in a breath to answer and with it came his delectable male scent. Wrapped in his strong arms, she inhaled another lungful of delicious man before responding.

“I’m fine. Thanks for catching me.”

“No problem. Sorry you tripped. The wires for the sound effects run under the step. I told my bone-headed friends not to put them there.”

“It’s all right. I don’t think it was the wires. My serving wench shoes are hard to walk in. I’m not sure why Dutch clogs belong with medieval serving wench’s attire, but they came with the costume.”

Melisa took a reluctant half step away from him without releasing his arms and lifted her foot to show him her clog. He didn’t let her go, either. As he glanced at her foot, she snagged a better look at the man holding her.

Dark, glossy hair framed a tanned, square-jawed face beneath the black mask hiding everything from eyebrows to cheekbones. A lock of straight, dark hair graced his forehead and rested above one eyebrow. His eyes, currently focused on her foot, were a sharp vivid blue and she decided he was incredibly easy to look at even with the mask. In fact, he was gorgeous. He lifted his gaze and studied her face intently with his vibrant sapphire eyes. When he grinned, she saw fangs.

Was this man her date? Oh, please.

“If you’re Count Dracula and looking for a blind date, I’m it.”

Labels:

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Coming Soon...The Perfect Tool


Blind Date After Dark 2
The Perfect Tool

Lynda, sick of the loser men she's been dating recently, decides to hire out and requests a perfect male escort for her thirtieth birthday.

A delicious handy man named Max shows up at her door for her special date. Will he have the perfect tool to get the job done?

Max, on his way to help his cousin's friend with a leaking sink, stumbles in to the wrong apartment and finds a hot woman in a silk robe wanting to help him take his tool belt off among other things.

Is this a set up by his cousin and does he really care once he finds out what's beneath her robe?



Sensuality Rating: SIZZLING/SCORCHING
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Length: 13,000 words



"Have you ever been on a blind date? Chicken that I am, I never went on one. Now I'm exploring the concept of blind dates and their infinite possibilities in my writing. Hope you enjoy my vivid imagination in the Blind Date After Dark series." ~ Lara ~


To read the EXCERPTS for The Perfect Tool Click HERE


Scheduled for release on November 6, 2008

Labels: , ,

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Launching A Star Contest finalists for 2008 !


SpacecoasT Authors of Romance (STAR) is proud to announce the
finalists in the 2008 Launching A Star Contest. Finalists are
listed in alphabetical order, by title.

Historical Category
Final round judges: Keyren Gerlach, HQN Books, and Elizabeth Pomada,
Larsen-Pomada Agency


A Perfect Husband by Anna Lee Huber of Fort Wayne, Indiana
An American Spy in London by Anna Lee Huber of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Heaven Sent by Deb Yates of Austin, Texas
Reconciliation by Elizabeth Boyce of Lexington, South Carolina
Remember by Mary A. Murray of Bradford, Maine

General Paranormal Category

Final round judges: Heather Osborne, TOR Publications, and Laurie
McLean, Larsen-Pomada Agency


Bump in the Night by Sandra S. Sookoo of Fishers, Indiana
Hex Appeal by Kerri-Leigh Grady of Pelham, Alabama
Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Evonne Wareham of Barry, South Wales
The Tenth Choir by Linda Poitevin of Gatineau, Canada
Touch of Twilight by Clarissa Ellison of Gilbert, Arizona

Single Title Category

Final round judges: Erin Galloway, Dorchester Publishing Company,
and Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency


All's Fair in Love and Chocolate by Kirsty Cleverly of Jerrabomberra,
Australia
Black Swan by Jean Tara Ownbey of Middletown, California
Death, Taxes, and a French Manicure by Diane O'Brien Kelly of
Mansfield, Texas
Designs on You by Robin Bielman of Westlake Village, California
Just Breathe by Sharon Calvin of Merritt Island, Florida

Series Contemporary Category

Final round judges: Susan Litman, Harlequin Historicals, and Becca
Stumpf, Prospect Agency


Defining Moments by Kathy Coatney of Corning, California
His Nutcracker Sweets by Jeanne M. Dickson of Carlsbad, California
Paying the Piper by Rachel Brimble of Chippenham, United Kingdom
The Lawman's Baby by Lyn Wagner of Eatontown, New Jersey
This Child is Mine by Jo Anne Banker of Houston, Texas

Young Adult Category

Final round judges: Kristen Daly, HarperCollins Children's Books,
and Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency


Diary of a Teenage Demon Magnet by Teresa Wilde of Ottawa, Canada
Eternally Emma by Jeanne Rutgers of Centennial, Colorado
Feral Instinct by Sandi Jones of Augusta, Arkansas
Losing Faith by Denise Jaden of Abbotsford, Canada
My Dog Ate My Teacher by Kelly Fitzpatrick of Bremerton, Washington

Erotic Romance Category*

Final round judges: Allison Brandau, Berkley/Jove Publishing, and
Roberta Brown, Brown Literary Agency


Awakening Ada by Roxanne Grandis of Richmond, Virginia
Love Me More by Kelly Jamieson of Winnipeg, Canada
True Love by Erica Miles of Brunswick, Georgia

*Only three finalists chosen due to low entry numbers.

Fantasy/Futuristics Category

Final round judges: Angela James, Samhaim Publishing, Inc., and
Lucienne Diver, The Knight Agency


All's Faire by Suzanne Fox of Carson City, Nevada
Forbidden by Laurie Cooper of Melbourne, Florida
In the Service of the Dark Lord by Melanie Card of Waterloo, Canada
Lover Enslaved by Jodi Redford of Richmond, Michigan
Sight Line by Marianne van Gelder of Monterey, California

Congratulations and best luck to all our finalists! And many, many
thanks to the judges and contestants who made the 2008 Launching A
Star contest such a success!

Labels:

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Simply Romance Reviews Featured Website is mine

Check out Simply Romance Reviews this week.
http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/weekly%20picks.aspx

My website is featured. :) My webmaster just made a few mini changes to the front page so there are some new things to look at. :)


And check out my next cover for a coming book, Sex Or Suffer. Sexy! :)
L

Labels: , ,

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Signing in Altamonte Springs November 1, 2008


Please join me for the Romancing the Holidays Romance Author Book Signing on Saturday, November 1 from 2 - 5 pm at the Altamonte Mall Center Court, 451 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. At least 20% of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to The Adult Literacy League and the first 75 customers will receive a special goody bag! We'll also have lots of tempting raffle baskets and items. For information please call (407) 261-0213 or log onto www.cfrwa.com
Sponsored by Barnes & Noble and Central Florida Romance Writers.

Labels: , ,

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Blind Date After Dark: Mr. Right

Good morning!
My latest short book, Mr. Right, will be released later on today. It's available for pre-order at the BookStrand website. Yea!




Mr. Right is the first story in a series I call Blind Date After
Dark. And it takes place at a Halloween party. A little spooky and a lot sexy, Mr. Right is here just in time to be a Halloween treat. ;)

Following is a blurb.
I hope you enjoy my foray into the intriguing world of blind dates.
L

Blind Date After Dark 1
Mr. Right

Lonely Melisa agrees to meet a blind date at a Halloween party.

An unexpectedly delicious, masked vampire greets her at the door. Once into the party, David whisks her upstairs after she trips and tends to her skinned knee.

Has she finally met Mr. Right?

David hasn't made time for the "right" kind of woman in his life until an unwanted blind date falls into his arms on All Hallows Eve.

Is she the one he's been waiting for to share his life?



Sensuality Rating: SIZZLING/SCORCHING
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Length: 12,000 words



"Have you ever been on a blind date? Chicken that I am, I never once chanced dating anyone unfamiliar who was “chosen for me” by friends or family. Therefore, I now explore the concept of blind dates and their infinite possibilities in my writing. I hope you all enjoy my very vivid imagination in the Blind Date After Dark series." ~ Lara ~

EXCERPT



Melisa Berrand brushed imaginary lint off of her costume, took a breath for courage, but paused before pressing the doorbell. The spooky party house, decorated elaborately for Halloween, awaited her. She wasn’t trick or treating tonight, unless of course trolling for a man counted.

A shiver of apprehension raced down her spine as she faced the ornately carved gothic door. Was someone watching her? Was there some spook or ghoul also attending the party tonight hot on her trail?

She glanced over one shoulder at the dark sidewalk behind her. The dimmed streetlight didn’t even cast enough of a glow to reach the road below.

She patted a hand over her loose curls. Nothing was out of place, except the hair bristling on the back of her neck. The well-manicured yard looked empty. She pushed out a long breath. Get a grip. No one is even out there, let alone paying any attention to you.

Glancing down at her medieval wench costume, she wondered if her attire said, “Sexy party outfit,” or “Desperate single female on the make.” Did she really need a date that badly? Perhaps not a date, but she wanted a man in her life, even if only temporarily.

The mere suggestion of going home alone to hand out candy to the few kids in her apartment building made the decision for her. Blind date nerves trumped loneliness every time.

She was sick of being solo during holidays. Did Halloween even count as a holiday? It didn’t matter. Thanksgiving, followed closely by Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day loomed closer and if she didn’t find a steady date soon, Melisa fearfully imagined she was headed for permanent spinsterhood.

Lonely libido kicking her in the core, she resolved to make tonight’s blind date work, no matter what it took. Thinking back to the past couple of abhorrent men she’d gone out with, she hoped tonight’s blind date was at least tolerable in the short term.

She sighed and rang the doorbell. The eerie creaking sound registered seconds before the huge door opened all by itself.

A self opening door? Really?

Head tilted to one side, she leaned forward to peek into the entryway. The lemon scent of well-conditioned hard wood and the waxy smell of burning candles greeted her. The sliver of space she could see was empty.

The door continued to open slowly. A sinister laugh pealed when it reached halfway. Another riotous tingle swept down her spine. Not for the first time, Melisa wondered if meeting a complete stranger at a Halloween party was the best idea.

An acquaintance, or rather Bill, the boyfriend of the new girl in the office, had set up this auspicious blind date. He insisted that the “vampire” she would meet tonight would change her life.

Melisa wasn’t looking for a life change so much as a steady boyfriend to keep from sitting home alone during the coming aforementioned romantic holidays. Although, if he were a vampire, she would miss out on so many cool daytime activities.

Given the beastly behavior of her last boyfriend, foregoing the daylight seemed a small price to pay if this guy would simply not be a bastard. Chiding herself for even the momentary belief in vampires, Melisa gathered her strength. There was no such thing as blood-sucking dead people roaming the earth.

“Enter if you dare!” the sinister voice from within the house bellowed. The entry challenge was followed by maniacal laughter.

Taking a deep breath for courage, she lifted her long wench skirt and stepped across the threshold. A tall man in a mask and a long black cape appeared out of nowhere, startling her. Melisa promptly tripped over her feet. Arms flailing, she landed hard against the man’s body grabbing onto his outstretched arms to keep from falling to the floor.

The caped man slid his hands beneath her arms, clutched her torso gently and steadied her on her feet. The movement brought her face first into his chest. Cheek resting against a firm unmovable body, Melisa looked up and found she embraced a fabulously luscious man.

Her palms slid from his muscular biceps to his solid forearms. His hands remained firmly attached to her torso, which was not a hardship. Having a man’s hands gracing her body after so long without intimate contact made her long for more touching.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She sucked in a breath to answer and with it came his delectable male scent. Wrapped in his strong arms, she inhaled another lungful of delicious man before responding.

“I’m fine. Thanks for catching me.”

“No problem. Sorry you tripped. The wires for the sound effects run under the step. I told my bone-headed friends not to put them there.”

“It’s all right. I don’t think it was the wires. My serving wench shoes are hard to walk in. I’m not sure why Dutch clogs belong with medieval serving wench’s attire, but they came with the costume.”

Melisa took a reluctant half step away from him without releasing his arms and lifted her foot to show him her clog. He didn’t let her go, either. As he glanced at her foot, she snagged a better look at the man holding her.

Dark, glossy hair framed a tanned, square-jawed face beneath the black mask hiding everything from eyebrows to cheekbones. A lock of straight, dark hair graced his forehead and rested above one eyebrow. His eyes, currently focused on her foot, were a sharp vivid blue and she decided he was incredibly easy to look at even with the mask. In fact, he was gorgeous. He lifted his gaze and studied her face intently with his vibrant sapphire eyes. When he grinned, she saw fangs.

Was this man her date? Oh, please.

“If you’re Count Dracula and looking for a blind date, I’m it.”

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

BookStrand...check it out! :)

The Lello bookstore in Porto, Portugal, is open since 1906 and is surely one of the most beautiful bookstores of the world.





I used to live in the Acores, Portugal. I wished I'd been able to visit the Lello bookstore in Porto, Portuagal. It's lovely. :)

Another cool bookstore to check out...is BookStrand. I've listed the link below.

Sister company to Siren Publishing, BookStrand has lots of new books to offer. :)
Check it out!
L
http://www.bookstrand.com/

Labels: ,

Friday, October 03, 2008

Blind Date After Dark: Mr. Right coming October 9





Coming October 9th from Siren Publishing...Mr. Right. The first short story in the Blind Date After Dark Series.




Blind Date After Dark 1: Mr. Right
[Erotic Contemporary Romance] Lonely Melisa agrees to meet a blind date at a Halloween party. An unexpectedly delicious masked vampire greets her at the door. Once into the party, David whisks her upstairs after she trips and tends to her skinned knee. Has she finally met Mr. Right?

L

Labels: , ,

Free Counter
Free Counter