It's baaaack! Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Week! Since I'm a romance author, people seem to think I ought to be a huge fan of Valentine's Day. And I am, in a sense. I enjoy getting presents and giving them, just as much as the next girl. Plus, I am a hopeless romantic, who not only believes in HEA, but lives it. So anything celebrating love and romance is fine with me. BUT--and it's a big butt...er...but---I'm not big into mass-produced kitsch and hype. My spouse of 27 years calls Valentine's Day "Amateur Hour." He'd rather bring me flowers, chocolate, or jewelry on some random occasion than go berserk mid-February just because retailers are telling him to. Given the choice of routine remembrances on a prescribed date, or random acts of affection all year long, I'll take the all year long any time. So happy Valentine's Day to you and yours. If you celebrate, do it big, and if you keep it low-key, that's all right too. And if you spend it curled up with a book? Might I suggest Nailed?

Nailed

By Cindy Spencer Pape

Erotic Romance Novella

out TODAY from Resplendence Publishing

Blurb: When shy scientist Karen Sikorski meets up with her college crush, Warner Beckett, sparks fly, but she knows the handsome contractor would never fall for a plain nerd like her. Warner, though, has other ideas. Smart, voluptuous Karen is everything he's ever wanted in a woman, and this time around, he's enough of a grown up to appreciate it. Now all he has to do is convince the lady he really does want her--in every way possible.

Excerpt: (R)

“So what are you up to these days?” he asked in a low murmur that sent a shiver of desire down Karen’s spine.

At first, she couldn’t remember how to speak. Just having her face this close to him, she was nearly overwhelmed by his rich masculine scent. Her brain had shut down, and her one pair of black satin panties was damp.

“Karen?” he asked again. “You still with me?”

“Mmm-hmm.” She inhaled deeply then forced herself to look up into his face. His wide smile made her stumble on the unfamiliar heels Bets had talked her into wearing.

“Easy there.” He caught her easily and held her steady.

“And I haven’t even been drinking,” she managed with a laugh. “Sorry for being so clumsy.”

“It’s crowded in here,” Warner offered. “Probably stepped on a napkin or something on the dance floor. No worries.”

“Thanks.” She still felt like the clumsy, awkward girl who’d never quite known how to handle social situations.

“So how long are you in town?” he asked.

“Oh—” She’d been so busy trying not to stumble again that she’d forgotten to answer his original question. “I live here now. I teach at—”

Before she could finish, a tall, willowy redhead came onto the dance floor and tugged Warner’s sleeve.

“Come on, War. We need you outside for pictures.”

“In a minute, Lindsey,” he said. “I’ll be right there.”

“No, now,” she insisted. “The guys want to blow this boring party and go have some real fun.” She kept hold of him, standing so close there was no way he and Karen could continue the dance.

Warner looked down at Karen regretfully. “Can I catch up with you after I take care of this?”

She nodded, fighting to keep the sick sense of despair from showing on her face. Same old Warner, damn it.

“Karen...” He touched her cheek briefly before the redhead pulled him away.

Karen stood on the dance floor staring after them as the woman dragged him out of the ballroom. She’d been right. Not a damn thing had changed since college.

rights to mechanical heart artwork purchased from dreamstime.com