I have Jennifer Wilck with me today with her re-release of Skin Deep! Please stop by and say hello!!

Thanks so much for hosting me here today, Donna, and helping me celebrate the re-release of my contemporary romance, Skin Deep.

Skin Deep was the second book I wrote, but the first one accepted for publication. With its re-release, I now have all my books published by the same house, which, for an anal person like me, is extremely satisfying.

This time around, I have a new cover, which I LOVE! It’s a departure from my normal covers, but I think it represents well the tone of the story. What do you think —

The story has also been tightened up and edited better, which is gratifying for me as a writer.

It’s a gritty and emotional read and was tough to write. Anytime you discuss domestic or child abuse, it’s heart wrenching. Both my hero and heroine overcome a lot in their past to finally reach their happily ever after, and I hope you enjoy reading their story.

Here’s the blurb:

The last thing Valerie needs, after escaping an abusive marriage to an alcoholic and rebuilding her life, is a broody, secretive, standoffish man. But that’s exactly what she gets when she becomes a makeup artist on the set of a hit sitcom and draws the attention of the series’ star.

John Samuels hides a terrible past—a life of abuse and neglect. A successful acting career and the affection and support of cast, crew and friends, does nothing to convince him that he is anything other than an unlovable monster.

Will he learn that the life he’s been living has been built on a lie or will he be doomed to repeat the sins of his father?

And the excerpt – 

That night, after all the scenes had been shot, Valerie waited for everyone to leave. She didn’t want to answer questions or receive pity.

She arranged and rearranged drawers and tools. The trailer contained three stations, each with its own make-up chair. A long table ran down one wall, with plenty of drawers for storage space. Well-lit mirrors hung above the table. Unable to find anything else to do, and convinced by the silence that everyone had to have left, she took out her keys to lock up. She jumped as a knock sounded at the door, the trailer rattled, and a head peeked in.

“Valerie?”

“Oh, hi, John.” She expelled a deep breath and willed her heart to slow its frantic beat. “Do you need something?”

“No.” He entered and stood by the door. John Samuels played the lead. At almost six foot three, he dwarfed the trailer and had to tip his head to fit. He folded his muscular arms across his chest and spread his feet apart. “Michelle told me you were not joining us tonight. I thought I would see if I could change your mind.”

Valerie rolled her eyes. “She is persistent.”

“You noticed.” John’s dark eyes twinkled. His mouth widened with a ghost of a smile. Valerie tried not to gasp.

He reminded her of a rugged cowboy—broad shouldered, with a prominent brow, dark piercing eyes, high cheekbones, and a cleft chin. When he smiled, even a slight trace of one, his eyes looked like liquid velvet and his dimples twinkled like stars in the night sky. A five-o’clock shadow covered his cheeks. Her fingers itched to brush against their rough texture, to tease his mouth into a full-blown grin.

“So, what can I say to make you join us?”

As he leaned against the wall in well-fitting jeans and a T-shirt that left nothing to the imagination, Valerie’s mind said, “Sleep with me.” Heat crept up her neck, over her cheeks, and continued to the roots of her hair. A thin sheen of sweat dampened the space between her breasts. She felt the sudden urge to fan herself, like a damsel in distress in an old B-movie. Instead, she ignored her traitorous thoughts. Her balled fist pressed into her tight stomach.

“Tonight, not even chocolate will change my mind.”

She didn’t exactly lie. She had no intention of going to the bar, or of sleeping with him, no matter how her thoughts might try to sabotage her good intentions. She’d been fooled by surface finery before, and it had almost killed her. She wouldn’t let it happen again.

“I will remember that,” he promised. “But next time you will not get off so easy.” His eyes bored into hers for a moment, and then he turned on his heel and left.

* * * *

True to his word, John arrived the following day prepared for battle. With a cursory knock on the door, he dangled a bag of M&Ms inside the trailer, but snatched it back before she could grab them. “We are going out for pizza. I will pick you up in ten minutes.” Before she could answer, he walked out.

Valerie shrugged as she finished her work. The new Valerie never allowed other people to make decisions for her, but she’d practically handed John a permission slip. And, he had M&M’s. How could she refuse?

Ten minutes later, he returned, ushered her out the door and down the steps. Although he didn’t touch her, she could imagine the warmth of his hand on the small of her back, and feel the gentle puff of his breath against her hair. The angle of his body steered her toward the others in the parking lot as if he had taken her by the hand and dragged her with him. An invisible electric charge pulled her. Or maybe it was his Dial-soap scent. That scent—soap and man—made her stomach flip flop. Her uncontrollable reaction to him disturbed her, especially since he appeared unaffected.

He remained silent, strode toward their meeting place, and studied his surroundings as if he expected someone to pop out of the shadows and yell, “Boo!”

Then she saw the brown bag of M&Ms sticking out of his white shirt pocket. Before he could stop her, she reached around and grabbed them, opened the bag and popped three in her mouth.

“Hey, those are mine!” He reached for the bag, but not fast enough to retrieve them.

“Not anymore.” As she danced away from him, she stuck another handful in her mouth.

He brought his hand up to his heart, as if she had wounded him deeply, but the twinkle in his eye gave him away. Valerie had all she could do not to burst out laughing.

“You did not have to take them, you know. I was planning to give them to you later.” He pouted and his dark hair fell across his brow, but not before Valerie saw a flash of a smile turn the corners of his mouth up.

“Oh really? When?”

“After dinner, of course. I would not want to spoil your appetite.”

Here are the buy links:   All Romance,  Barnes & Noble, Amazon

I hope you enjoy it and if you do read it, I’d love you to post a review or let me know what you thought. I can be reached at:

Website: www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Wilck/201342863240160.

Twitter: @JWilck.

Blog (Fried Oreos): www.jenniferwilck.blogspot.com

Heroines With Hearts contributor: http://www.heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com Front Porch Saturdays contributor: http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com.

Script Chics: https://www.facebook.com/ScriptChics?ref=hl

Can’t believe I’ve been a published author for 3 years today!  Thank you so much Rebel Ink Press, for taking a chance on me!!

Buy links – Barnes & Noble, All Romance, Amazon

Here’s a little excerpt –

Kat was surprised to find a personal invitation from Head to the enforcer graduation in her gimp. Of course, all students were always invited; but she had not attended last year. She would be graduating next year, so it made sense to go this time. She knew most of the graduates from Centerport and the celebratory party afterward would give her a chance to meet enforcers her own age from the other ports.

Head gave a short speech and distributed the small pin all enforcers wore. The uniform was what identified an enforcer to the rest of the population, but the pin was always displayed on the lapel of the uniform jacket. She would be proud when Head pinned hers to that uniform; but would she ever not have a microsecond of thought about what might have been?

The ceremony was short. Afterward, everyone moved to an even larger gathering room for refreshments and to congratulate the graduates. Kat took a cup of punch and hung around the edges. Head had asked her to be here, so she wanted to be sure to speak to him; but she never enjoyed this kind of thing.

She spotted Head across the room and began making her slow way through the crowd in his direction, stopping to speak to the graduates she knew. She had never realized all graduates came to Centerport for the actual ceremony. It made sense—who wouldn’t want to receive their pin from Head? But it meant a lot more people than she expected. All of them seemed to want to speak to Head, which made for slow going.

Something caused her to look up and she spotted the man, officially now her supervisor. He was smiling, really smiling. That was a different look on his usually stern face. He was speaking with a young man. The younger man wasn’t one of the graduates. He was already wearing the uniform; but he couldn’t be much older than her.

Head laughed at something the younger man said. Kat took a closer look. She couldn’t see his face well from this angle; but she could see the body. Nice, frakking nice in fact, with a tight butt and broad shoulders. He could be a poster boy for enforcers with that physique and easy manner. The conversation with Head didn’t seem to intimidate him. His longer dark hair was barely regulation. She could almost hear Head now, demanding a haircut in the near future, and smiled to herself at the vignette.

Something about the easy grace of the younger man drew her; but after a moment, she shook it off. She wasn’t interested, she reminded herself. Someone who looked like that would definitely be calling out Bree’s name.

She winced to herself at the thought. Get the frack over it! It’s over. It happened and nothing can change it. It needs to be in the past. However, the thoughts of having to be introduced to him by Head caused her to pause. As though fate were on her side for a change, a number of people moved toward the two men, causing the line to grow. She used that to make her escape from the crowd.

Check out my book trailer at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugHZsfXDD4

I really love Valentine’s Day. I love hearts, flowers, and celebrating love. Now you might not think that’s true because my stories aren’t exactly all about romance. I put my teenage characters in mortal peril. Like a lot. They are chased by stalkers, serial killers and mob murderers. This is no hearts and flowers, does he like me or doesn’t he romance. My characters are usually too busy running for their lives. 

I do, however love a happy and romantic ending so I guess that’s where the romance comes in. I love bad boys that aren’t so bad, heroes that will sacrifice anything for the love of their lives and edge of your seat endings where you hope no one dies so they can live happily ever after.

So I was really excited when Nancy Lee and Donna asked me to be part of the Valentine’s Giveaway. I’m giving away the first three books of my Breathe series each in a different format.

The Breathe series centers around the Rourke family but each story has a different set of main characters.

Here are the blurbs:

Gone: The Breathe Prequel
Trane Braxton lives a double life. He can’t risk getting close to anyone until Daisy Rourke , his longtime crush, insinuates herself into his very dangerous world.

A short story that goes back to the beginning, to the events that started the Rourkes on their journey…

Breathe

Jasmine’s life wasn’t normal for a 16 year old girl.  It hadn’t been normal since the murder of her older sister, Daisy, two years ago. Her life had been changed forever. The monster that murdered Daisy was never caught.  That was the reason her family decided to move away from their hometown in Southern California, to start over.  Hopefully in a place where the last name Rourke wouldn’t bring on staring or judgment or morbid curiosity.

In Lafayette, Louisiana things are quite a bit different but in a good way.  Good manners, Cajun accents, and a whole lot of Southern Hospitality all make her think things are going in the right direction.  On top of that the most gorgeous boy she has ever met is interested in her. Her new friends are better than she could have hoped for, even if she is worried about what they might think when they find out who she is.  Life would be perfect if odd things didn’t keep happening.  Creepy phone calls, texts, and flowers in her locker start adding up quickly to something terrifying. Could the Monster have followed them to Lafayette? Was he coming after her this time?  Maybe she was just worrying unnecessarily…or not.

Shimmer

Chandler Raines and her “dad” are on the run. Never staying in one place for very long. It’s just not safe. When they arrive in Lafayette, Louisiana, Chandler quickly realizes this is the place she wants to call home. Friends, a cute boy, and competitive cheerleading have her taking dangerous risks to have the life she always wanted. Risks she promised she wouldn’t take.

When her lies catch up to her, a decision has to be made. Stay or run? Will the evil that’s chased them for the last four years catch up to them? When Chandler’s past comes screeching into the present she’ll have to sacrifice everything to keep what she loves safe. But will it be enough?

Elena’s page

What I remember most about Valentine’s Day growing up was, of course, the candy and the cards. Daddy never forgot to lavish us that day, because it was his birthday. Yep, on his birthday he always had to give away gifts. I thought that was a little unfair, but not enough not to get the candy.

Daddy arrived a 2 a.m. that morning in 1923 and Grandmother – who was like no other grandmother – called him one year (I think when he turned 50) at 2 a.m. as pay back for waking her that morning long ago. She always was the feisty one.

Momma always got the very fancy fold down cards that made a lovely romantic scene and chocolate covered Brazil nuts. Sis and I got the smaller heart shaped boxes and Sis gave me anything that had nuts in it because she didn’t like those. <Shakes head mournfully at her naiveté> But I did get more candy that way. We’d have a special dinner to celebrate (okay it wasn’t romantic for them, but I wasn’t thinking in those terms). One year we even had a coconut cake with the candy hearts on top as decoration along with the candles to be blown out.

Sis and I would look for Valentine/Birthday cards as we got older. There were usually two different ones put out by Hallmark, never a very wide selection. He’d get both of them and pretend to complain that he was being cheated out of either a Valentine or a Birthday card each year.

I still celebrate his birthday, taking cards and candy into work and leaving them for everyone in the suite. Happy ValenBirthtine Day everyone!

My latest release is The Melting, Book 3 – Cohesion , a sci-fi/paranormal romance.

Blurb-
It began in the north, in the ancient cold before the birth of man. Whether from the actions of man or the cycles of the planet, the primordial ice is melting and bringing back to the atmosphere a virus. One with no known cure for modern day humans.

Rachel Gerhart has been a survivor her whole life, now she’s been changed by the virus that destroyed civilization. She trying to keep her differences under wraps, but Sid Saylor knows her secret. He’s been changed as well. Can their new abilities help with the rebuilding of a human civilization?

Find all the Buy Links here!!

I’m giving away a couple of copies of The Melting, Book 1 – The Infection  and one of your choice from my backlist by going here –

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Donna’s Give away!

*Contests end Sunday Feb. 15

Those words never get old… The Melting, Book 3 – Cohesion is now available through Amazon and AllRomance.  Here’s a little snippet for your enjoyment…

   Buy links – AllRomance, Amazon, Barnes & Nobles

Cohesion –

David corralled Sid as he entered the big house that evening. “We haven’t had a decent talk since you got here. You doing okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

That stopped David in his tracks. “Grab your dinner. Let’s go to your place to eat.”

Trapped, that’s what Sid did, cursing himself for getting into this position. He let David in his house and motioned toward the table. David took a seat and waited until Sid was beside him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, really.”

“Uh, do you remember the term bullshit?”

“I have all my memories back, thank you.” The amnesia left by his bout with the virus had been too recent. Yes, it had happened to everyone who had recovered but Sid didn’t like to remember the helplessness of being at the mercy of the cattle baron who had taken him in as he recovered.

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Crap.”

David waited, taking a drink of the cool tea they had brought.

“It’s nothing.”

“Is the house okay? We didn’t let something slide did we?”

“No. Everything’s great, and I’m very glad to be here.”

“Flashbacks to the ranch?” David asked.

“Nothing like that.”

“I hope you realize I’m not leaving until I find out what’s wrong.”

Sid glared up at him for an instant, then sank back in the chair. “How old is Rachel?”

That question caught David off guard, and he stared at his former pupil for a moment. “Eighteen, why?”

Sid’s eyes widened. “Eighteen?”

“Yeah, she had a birthday in January. Why?”

“I thought she was no more than sixteen.”

“She has a young face but . . . she’s not jail bait.” He said carefully and was rewarded with the color that flushed the blonde man’s face. “Shit, you’re attracted to her.”

“I . . . damn it,” Sid closed his eyes. “She was in my head. She’s the one that warned me about Samson. I guess I built up some sort of fantasy about her, and then I saw her.”

“And thought she was a kid.”

“Yeah. Wouldn’t you?”

“Well, chronologically she is young, but not experience-wise. I don’t mean that,” he said as Sid’s head came up. “She’s never lived in a loving home. She was in the foster system as far back as she can remember, and that life wasn’t a bed of roses. She’s wary of people and can be quite prickly at times. Ask Amanda.”

“You don’t think I’m some sort of pedophile?”

At that David chuckled. “No, a masochist maybe. She is an eighteen-year-old girl and those can be very dangerous creatures. And she doesn’t trust easily. She’s had no reason to. I think I understand her mood lately now.”

“Her mood?”

“Parallel to yours now that I think about it. You’ve not been avoiding me. You’ve been avoiding her. Nice hit to my ego.”

Sid finally smiled. “Sorry about that. The whole thing threw me. I didn’t want to have thoughts like that about a sixteen year old.”

“TMI bro,” David said. “Eat your dinner and then we’ll see.”