Monday, March 1, 2010

Delicious Tease Contest Day #16: Jaci Burton


The first time I heard of Jaci Burton was at a panel workshop I went to at my very first nationals (in Reno) and I have to say, she was such an impressive, smart, diplomatic speaker that I was wowed-- especially considering a couple of the truly bizarre questions that were thrown at her. Since then, I've discovered that she is as nice as she is impressive. Please help me welcome Jaci today-- she's giving away an autographed copy of Laced With Desire, so comment away for a chance to win.

Blurb:
In the wilds of Oklahoma, three sisters have a hot date with destiny. Valerie, Brea, and Jolene McMasters reunite on the family ranch that should have been called the Bar Nothing…
Bound…When Valerie left for the big city, she kissed her foreman husband, Mason, goodbye—along with the best sex she ever had. Now, seeing him brings back sizzling memories. But their rekindled fire threatens to burn them both.
Branded…Watching Gage wrangle untamed horses with a gentle but firm touch leaves Brea hot and bothered. But can she live out her fantasy with a man who may ask more than she’s willing to give?
Brazen…Ranch hand Walker Morgan can’t afford to lose his job by getting too close to his new boss, Jolene, no matter how much she tempts him. But Jolene’s prepared to take the first step, because what Jolene wants, Jolene gets. And Jolene wants Walker.
Excerpt:
As soon as the obligations of supper and conversation were over, Valerie went up to her room to get away, until Jolene knocked on her door and told her Lila wanted them in the family room. Valerie blew out a sigh of frustration. She’d really hoped to hide in here for the rest of the night, but Lila obviously wanted to talk to them. And if there was one thing she’d learned over the years, it was that you didn’t tell Lila no.
She made her way downstairs and into the oversized family room complete with three sofas, five lounge chairs and a huge plasma television that hadn’t been there the last time Valerie had been home.
“Who bought the television?” Valerie asked when she walked in.
“I did,” Jolene said. “We have movie night every now and then when the weather’s too bad to go to Dirk’s bar in town. Anyone who’s around comes. Beer and snacks.”
“Fun.” Brea kicked off her grotesque sandals and pulled her feet up onto the sofa, tucking them under her skirt.
“What’s with those hideous flip-flops?” Jolene asked.
Brea looked over the sofa at her shoes. “What? They’re comfortable.”
Jolene scrunched her nose. “They’re horrible. Are you freakin’ homeless or something?”
“You could use a pedicure, too, Brea,” Valerie added, grimacing at the state of Brea’s feet.
“You guys are so funny. Just because I don’t dress straight out of the pages of a fashion magazine like Valerie, or as a cowgirl like you Jolene, doesn’t mean I don’t have it going on.”
“Oh, you certainly have something going on, Brea,” Jolene said. “I just have no idea what it is.”
Brea shot a pleading look to Valerie, who shrugged. “I don’t like the shoes, either. And you need to do something with your hair.”
Brea frowned. “Who decided it was pick on Brea night?” She shot a glare to Jolene. “You dress like a man.”
Jolene rolled her eyes. “It’s my job, moron. You want me to wear a miniskirt to wrestle calves?”
“The guys would probably enjoy seeing that,” Valerie teased.
“Yeah, I’ll just be they would. And having dust up my coochie would be oh so pleasant.”
Right now Jolene wore nearly coochie-baring shorts and a tank top that hugged her generous breasts. She’d taken the pigtails out and brushed her hair so the long blond strands lay in soft waves over her shoulders. Really, her sister was naturally gorgeous, even without a bit of makeup on. It was so unfair. Heart-shaped face, full lips, peachy complexion and hazel eyes with long lashes. She didn’t need to do a damn thing to look beautiful. She was country girl personified, and had the face and body to match.
“What are you staring at?” Jolene asked.
“I was just thinking how naturally beautiful you are.”
Jolene’s lashes swept down, then back up again. “Stop teasing me.”
“She’s right, Jo. You’ve always been gorgeous without trying.”
Jolene looked to Brea. “You could be beautiful, too, if you’d cut that mop of hair so people could see your pretty face. And put on some clothes that accentuate your body. Honestly, Brea, what are you hiding from?”
Brea shook her head. “I’m not hiding from anything.” She picked up a book and shoved her face in it.
Jolene looked over at Valerie. “Not hiding. Right. Have you ever known this girl to not have a book glued to her nose?”
“Never,” Valerie said. “Brea. Are you dating anyone?”
“No.”
“When was the last time you did?”
“Don’t remember.”
“Do you even like guys?” Jolene asked.
Brea dropped the book in her lap. “Of course I do. I’ve had sex before. I’m not a virgin. For God’s sake, I’m twenty-eight.”
Jolene shrugged. “Just wanted to know if maybe your tastes ran elsewhere.”
“You’re such a bitch, Jo.”
Valerie laughed. “No, I’d say she definitely likes guys. Didn’t you see the drool on her chin at supper tonight every time she looked at Gage Reilly?”
Brea’s eyes widened. “I was not drooling over Gage.”
“Yes, you were. You couldn’t take your eyes off him. Not that I blame you. He’s gorgeous. All that lean muscle, and his face his gorgeous with his short brown hair and ocean blue eyes. That’s one hell of a sexy package. Any woman would drop at his feet. You might try to hide behind your hair, but I saw who you were looking at.”
Brea picked up her book. “I’m not even going to dignify this ridiculous conversation by participating in it. It’s juvenile.”
“Coward,” Jolene said. “Always hiding on your computer and in your books. Some things never change.” She poked Brea’s shoulder. “Real life is out here, Brea. You should try living it.”
“Fuck off, Jolene.”
In so many ways, this was just like their childhood together. Petty bickering, never seeing eye to eye on anything. Two of them would always gang up on one, and which two would always change—sometimes hourly—depending on which sister needed picking on.
“I see you and Mason still get along well,” Jolene said, turning her attention from Brea to Valerie. “You two hardly said a word to each other over supper. And you did your best to avoid eye contact.”
Brea peeked over the top of her book.
“Let’s not go there, Jo.”
“Oh, I see. It’s okay to take jabs at me and my nonexistent love life. But yours is off limits,” Brea said, picking up the gauntlet.
“I’m not going to talk about Mason. It’s ancient history.”
“Is it?” Jolene asked with an arch of her brow. “Didn’t look or feel that way to me over supper. The tension in the kitchen was thick as morning fog.”
“I mean it, Jolene. What is all this animosity about? You invited us here.” Valerie felt the pressure building in the room and knew she had to do something to try and diffuse it before things got out of hand.
“And it’s about damn time you two slackers showed up. This is your ranch and I’m tired of making all the decisions about it while the two of you sit on your asses and do nothing.”
“Hey!” Brea said. “You need us, we’re here. All you have to do is ask.”
“I’ve asked plenty. And you told me no at least five times in the past year.”
Brea looked down at her lap. “I’ve had projects. I’ve been busy.”
“Bullshit. You avoided coming here, just like Valerie.” Jolene turned her gaze to Valerie. “You and your I’m-such-a-busy-doctor routine are just as bad.”
“Oh come on, Jolene,” Brea said, standing. “Valerie was doing her residency.”
“And she never had time off? Just like you. Everything is more important than coming home.”
“I’ve had about all I’m going to take from you, Jolene,” Brea said, her fingers curling into fists.
Valerie had reached the end of her rope, too. “You must be itching for a fight tonight, baby sister. You need to take a step back and knock this off.”
“Or what? You’ll punch me out? You’ll hurl insults at me? Please. I can kick your ass.”
“In your dreams.”
Brea crossed her arms and moved up next to Valerie. “Are you going to take us both?”
Jolene tilted her head back and offered up a smug smile. “Bring it on.”
“Okay, you three. Enough. You’re acting like children.” Lila walked in cradling a huge cardboard box.
Their squabble instantly forgotten, Valerie moved to the other side of the room to help her. “That looks heavy. Let me help you.”
Lila ignored her and dropped the box on the floor, then swept her hands together and placed them on her ample hips. “Now, you three quit bickering with each other and go through this.”
“What is it?” Brea asked.
“It belonged to your mother.”
“What’s in it?” Jolene asked.
Lila gave her a pointed stare. “If you go through it, you’ll find out. There’s wine and glasses in the bar. Go have a few drinks and remember why you love each other. You’re family. Not enemies.”
Valerie felt thoroughly chastised. “Would you like to stay and hang out with us?”
Lila shook her head. “Some things need to be shared privately among sisters.” With a wink, she turned and walked through the double doors leading out of the family room. “Night, girls.” She closed the doors behind her.
Valerie turned and stared at the dusty box, then up at her sisters. “What the hell is that?”
Jolene shrugged. “I have no idea. I’ll go open the wine.” She went behind the bar, opened a bottle of Chardonnay and poured three glasses, then brought the glasses to them.
They stood contemplating the box while they drank their wine.
“Are we just going to stare at it, or are we going to open it up and look inside?” Brea asked.
Valerie stared down at the box, then again up at her sisters, who looked back at her expectantly. “What?”
“You’re the oldest. You do it,” Brea said.
Valerie rolled her eyes. “What are you so afraid of? Do you think there might be live snakes in here?”
“Well, no,” Jolene said. “But I still think you should open it.

Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win an autographed copy of the very fabulous (I bought it at my last trip to B and N and it is wonderful) anthology, Laced With Desire.

32 comments:

  1. I've wanted to read Jaci Burton for a while. This excerpt makes me want to pick up the book NOW!

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  2. Loved the excerpt and her books are always wonderful reads!

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  3. OH please please please enter me!!! I would love to chance to win this book. What a wonderful contest ladies!!!
    Hope all is well ladies!

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  4. I'm a big Jaci Burton fan, love her books!!!:)

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  5. I'm a Jaci fan.

    No need to enter me in the daily giveaway. I already own Laced With Desire.

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  6. I've heard great things about this book and it's on my list.

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  7. I love Jaci's books and Laced With Desire is on my list for my next trip to Borders.

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  8. Hi Jaci!
    congrats on the release of BBB!
    can't wait to get my hands on it!
    and thanks for a chance to win Laced with Desire - I loved the days before release date at your blog ;)
    greetings, Ina

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  9. HI Tracy and Hi everyone!

    Big thanks to Tracy and Shelley for the chance to visit y'all. And thanks to everyone for commenting! So glad to be here today, and for those who've read my books, thank you! If you haven't yet, I hope you give them a try.

    :-)

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  10. Thank for the chance to win a copy of Jaci's book.

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  11. Thanks for the excerpt and visit, Jaci! Don't enter me--I've got this one on the keeper shelf--what a terrific set of stories!

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  12. BBB ROCKS everyone!!! I was lucky enough to win and ARC and I can tell you all it's a GREAT book!

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  13. Loved the excerpt.:)Cant wait to read BBB.

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  14. My BBB ARC hooked me on Jaci and would love Laced With Desire sitting beside it on the book shelf, she writes very hot sexy books!

    jackie b central texas :D

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  15. I have enjoyed Jaci's books before.

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  16. Love the excerpt !
    I haven't read any of Jaci's books ! curious about this one.

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  17. Please count me in for grand prize only. I've already read this book and its exquisite.

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

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  18. I love Jaci's writing and would love to get this book! I love the excerpt and I'm dying to read more.

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  19. Sounds like a great read!!

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  20. Great excerpt. I would love to read it.

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  21. Hi Tracy & Jaci
    Tracy thanks for having Jaci who's one of my faves. Jaci, you know I love your books. Just wanted to say hi & tell everyone to buy them if they don't win. Already bought Laced With Desire so don't enter me. tennismom

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  22. Thanks for a great excerpt Jaci :) I've been gobbling these up whenever you've put them up on your website too. Wild, Wicked, and Wanton was the first book I read by you, and ever since I found out about BBB, I couldn't wait to read about these sisters!

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  23. I enjoyed the excerpt, and would love a chance to read the whole book!

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  24. Hay Can't Get to Shayla Black's Web page or blog is others having this broblem?
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

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  25. Fun excerpt! Does Jaci have sisters because she definitely has the sister bickering down?

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  26. I did too Stacey. I finally got there via her Shelley Bradley site and refreshing the screen. It's not the first time that's happened to me during this contest either.

    I already entered at Shayla's, so don't count this as an entry.

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  27. Love the excerpts posted so far, and now the complete book is almost available! Congrats on BBB Jaci.

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  28. Hi Jaci, I guess we'll all be stalking you this week!! I would def recommend your BBB to everyone, I LUVED it!! I saw Unlaced at Borders and the cover is fab!! I want to read Laced too. Thanks, Sue

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