That story was kicked off by a one sentence story idea tossed out as a challenge. With its inception, the Sensory Ops series was born.

Since that story, Nikki was also challenged, by her first editor, to write contemporary novellas. Now, with 13 books available, she’s revealing the cover of what will be her 14th books. To celebrate the anniversary and the cover reveal, Nikki is also sponsoring a giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now, for the awesome cover…

The NDcent Dames’ Blogs:
Live. Laugh. Romance.
The Revolving Bookcase
BookLiaison
Book Sniffers Anonymous
Julie Barrett

So, for the first news related blog, here we go. There’s quite a bit.

A MARCH CONTEST
Hosted through Fresh Fiction, I’m giving away the digital backlist of the Sensory Ops. If you’re behind on those, here’s your chance.

A WHISPERING COVE GIVEAWAY
Celebrating the print release of WILD, WET, WICKED, Mackenzie McKade, Cathryn Fox and I are giving away a Whispering Cove mixer glass. To be eligible to win, visit our Facebook Page. If you haven’t already like us, but then you need to post on the page ”I’ve just discovered Whispering Cove and OH MY! Come see for yourself” or  ”Living in Whispering Cove would be an erotic fantasy come true. Come see for yourself.”

And now, the book release news!

SENSORY OPS BOOK 4 IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Buy the eBook.
Samhain | Amazon – Kindle | Barnes & Noble – Nook

He’s everything she craves. She’s everything he dreads.

Journalist Lana Quinn has a way with hard-hitting news. The story she’s uncovered has potential, but she needs the help of her best friend’s FBI team. She’s been rescued by them, worked with them, and partied with them, but convincing the second in command to believe her theory—that a killer’s touch sets off a lethal allergic reaction—is a frustrating challenge.

Especially since he excites her, body and mind. He’s a danger she shouldn’t indulge.

Aidan Burgess is resistant to helping Lana, but not for the reason she thinks. She has a knack for landing herself in trouble, which means she needs protection. Protecting her means staying near her, a journalist, who like all journalists uses whatever—and whomever—it takes to get her story. It’s a case he wants to refuse.

Especially since she lights a fire in his blood. She’s a danger he can’t afford.

As Lana follows up on lead after deadly lead, learning to trust and rely on each other becomes their only lifesaving hope. If their pride doesn’t become their final pitfall.

ALSO AVAILABLE – A SENSORY OPS SHORT AND TWO PRINT RELEASES!

I’m often asked what I do to relax and rejuvenate. How do I refill the well? I figure if doing crazy things doesn’t qualify, I don’t know what does.

For the past seven years my daughter, granddaughter and I have left the husbands at home while we girls traveled the world seeking adventure. And I do mean girls, the baby was seven when we went in search of our first big exploration. She’s like one of the fish now! We’ve snorkeled with almost every species of fish, my granddaughter being the brave one of the bunch, she’s held varieties I can’t even pronounce.

Seven years – seven different countries, and it was time to visit one of the best snorkeling areas in the world. Belize and its barrier reef offered more fish and some of the deepest water we’d ever ventured into.

So I pulled on my mask, inserted the snorkel mouth piece, nodded at the guide, and dropped from the side of the boat into the warm water. We’d already watch dolphins playing a few feet off the boat dock at the hotel, but now we were venturing into new territory.

The water got colder as we moved further away from the boat into deep water. Peering down into the abyss a huge black shadow passed under me. OMG. We’d arrive in shark alley.

Me? In shark alley? What the hell was I thinking? Not to worry, one of our guides reminded me, nurse sharks aren’t interested in eating people.

Sharks were everywhere. They were magnificent, long, sleek, and cold eyed. Even though they seemed perfectly content to let us human beings handle them, I admit to being intimidated.

It was the experience of a lifetime. Not one I’m likely to repeat for a while, but trips like these free the mind from day to day chores. While I’m on the girls trip, I don’t work for six days. I eat, relax, read, and enjoy my girls. Without fail, they bring me home ready to get back to work.

The Green-Eyed Doll blurb:

Catherine McCoy is on the run. For the past year, she’s been on the move, hiding the secrets and guilt in her heart. When she lands in small-town Texas and meets Sheriff Matt Ballard, he ignites a flame she thought lost forever.

Matt has scars of his own. He left the big city after an undercover operation went bad and his partner was killed. Now, as Matt hunts for a serial killer who paints his victims’ faces like porcelain dolls, Catherine becomes a safe haven for him. Two tortured souls finding comfort in each other’s arms—until he uncovers her secret, and their bond of trust is broken.

When Catherine disappears, Matt races to find her, fearing the murderer has found his next green-eyed doll. But the killer has a surprise coming. Catherine will fight to the death before she’ll be a victim again. Will her determination be enough?

Excerpt:

Catherine paced and argued with herself. Should she stay or go home? She’d told Matt he’d need a friend after the first woman went missing and now this. She couldn’t imagine the pressure he must be under. Her plan was to have a hot supper waiting for him. She’d basted and basted until the roast withered and fell apart. The once firm potatoes? Mush. The gravy was a light brown paste.

Benedict Arnold stood and trotted to the back door before Catherine heard Matt’s pickup. The dog was glad to know Matt was home, too. She leaned back against the kitchen counter and waited.

“Hey.” A lame greeting, but seeing him stunned her speechless.

Dark circles and cold, weary, blue eyes marred his Michelangelo face. His black hair fell in disarray and looked like he’d raked his fingers through a number of times today. His chiseled jaw and chin were dark with a long day’s stubble. With a couple of long strides, he pinned her between him and the counter. He framed her face with his hands, closed his eyes, and lowered his forehead to hers. They stood in silence for a long time, unmoving, their bodies not touching. Fear for the missing woman radiated off him.

His anguish, more than she’d planned for, hit her hard. His dedication and concern, traits she admired, shook her conviction that no man could be trusted. His tenderness, something she’d never had, touched a long-neglected place in her soul.

In that small space of time, where no one else in the world existed, Catherine’s heart found hope. Tears, she’d promised herself never to shed again, slid unchecked down her cheeks. But these tears weren’t because of her pain or grief. She cried because Matt suffered and grieved for the missing woman. She slid her arms around him, stroking his tense muscles.

“Hey, yourself.” He leaned back and studied her face. The warmth behind his eyes returned as he wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs. “Were those for me?”

She nodded and emotions swirled in her head. Catherine struggled to regain her perspective. “I have to remove no more tears from the Never list.”

“Why would you hold yourself to such a never?”

“The only thing crying gets you are red eyes.”

“Okay, tough guy. Maybe someday you’ll trust me enough to explain. Why’d you break a rule for me?”

“The worry for Annie Travers in your eyes broke my heart. I’ve never known anyone with your compassion and dedication.”

“Careful.” The corners of his mouth lifted. “You’ll be calling me John Wayne again.”

“Same soul.” She pushed a lock of black hair off his face. He caught her wrist in his hand.

“Stop, Catherine. I’m nobody’s hero. I failed miserably in that department.”

My bio:

A student of  creative writing in her youth, Jerrie set aside her passion when life presented her with a John Wayne husband, and two wonderful children.  A career in logistics offered her the opportunity to travel to many beautiful locations in America, and she revisits them in her romantic suspense novels.

But the characters went with her, talked to her, and insisted she share their dark, sexy stories with others.  She writes alpha males and kick-ass women who weave their way through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of, their love for each other.  She likes to torture people, make them suffer, and if they’re strong enough, they live happily ever after.

Jerrie lives in Texas, loves sunshine, children’s laughter, sugar (human and granulated), and researching for her heroes and heroines.

Website: http://www.jerriealexander.com
Blog: http://www.jerriealexander.com/category/blog/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jerriealexander
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JerrieAlexanderAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jerriealexander
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jerriealexander/

This story was originally posted by Steve Woods on Technorati, Dec. 5, 2011. It’s told again this year at www.times-standard.com. Rather than copy it verbatim, I’ve summed it up.

In 2011, Helen, an obviously sweet 5 year old from Washington, released 2 balloons into the air in early December. Her hope was that they would catch a Northern wind and find their way to Santa. She didn’t realize that Santa was South of her.

See, she lived in a mill town that had recently known some hard times and her family was seriously struggling. One of her balloons made it’s way more than 700 miles where it landed in the path of a woman and her son. All she requested was a doll and some clothes. The simplicity of her request told the woman finding the note that the girl was in need.

Julie, the woman finding the note, reached out to a number on the note and learned more about the little girl. She then went shopping and shipped those special gifts to friends of the girl’s family who made sure they were under the tree for Christmas.

I don’t know about you, but it’s stories like this that touch me. It’s also these stories that have me telling my children that yes, I still believe in Santa as much as I believe there is a spirit of giving in all of us.

Hubby and I have always talked about where we stand and what we want out of life. We’ve talked about my goals as an author, about what I want to get from my writing and how those goals impact our family. We’ve talked about his goals, which are often more logical than mine but not always. After 18 years of marriage, and after spending the last several years focused on my goals, we’re at a point where we can begin making his goals a reality.

It’s been scary to actually implement the changes we’re talking about, but it’s created a kind of energy for us that we haven’t had in awhile. It’s been stressful and exciting and that excitement is bleeding into other things. Our oldest is gearing up for a big interview for a special committee at school next week. Hubby is opening himself to possibilities I think he’d almost given up on. And I opened my email to find something that put me a step closer to my ultimate goal. No, I’m not telling what it is yet.

This all has me wondering.

Can you make a moment happen? Can you think and talk and dream about a big moment in your life so much that it really happens? 

On another note about moments, I’m talking about the Power of Dancing Dolphins at my friend Jerrie Alexander’s blog today. That was a moment from life that became a moment in Her Miracle Man.

We chose to select someone from the angel tree at school. I figured, for the girls, it’s great to give something to a random person. How much greater is it to give someone in your own school a gift? Even if you don’t know who they are, there’s something much more special in knowing you’ve impacted someone close to you.

So, as we were discussing which student to adopt, as we looked over their lists and how much their items might cost, we migrated into the discussion of whether or not we would adopt more than one angel. A big part of that decision was made when I asked the kids if they were willing to have a present or two less under the tree for the sake of someone else having something special.

My youngest, as you can see from last week’s post was dubious.

We talked about some of the things these kids were asking for. It wasn’t too surprising to see that most all of the elementary and middle school kids had been adopted, or that they asked primarily for toys or clothes. The high school kids were a different story. Their wish lists showed an even larger difference from those of the younger kids.

These children, and they are still children, are asking for things like gift cards to buy their family groceries. They requested toys for their younger siblings. They asked for essentials. Yes, there were kids asking for personal wants, but the majority of the kids were asking for things they needed. As we were discussing how many kids to adopt and how much to do for them we asked our girls if they were willing to sacrifice a present or two for the sake of schoolmates.

Our youngest did come around and agree to sacrifice a gift for someone else. Our oldest, when we asked her, responded with an immediate and certain absolutely. Because of their “sacrifice” we adopted two kids. One daughter gave up enough to buy a pair of tennis shoes. The other daughter gave up enough for the kid to buy some clothes.

I can’t say how proud I am of my girls for giving to others. Do you have kids in your life? What have they done that’s made you proud? Did you tell them you were proud of them for whatever it was? 

Last night I was looking through the angel tree list for the kids in our local school district and was talking about it with my oldest. My youngest, Meme, said she wanted to be an angel for her school. I told her that was very sweet but that all the kids at her school had already been adopted. She was angry with this, which surprised me. So, I explained that it was a good thing that all the kids had been adopted.

Then, she cocked her hand on her hip and asked if I had put her on that tree. This stumped me. She was not impressed when I told her that no she was not on the tree. Then it hit me. She thought the angel tree was a way for kids to get extra gifts at Christmas. I had to explain to her that the angel tree was for children who may not have a gift under the tree without the help of others. Then I took it a step farther and explained that while we weren’t rolling in the money we were lucky enough to be able to give the presents for others.

This conversation went on for awhile, but the whole time I was trying to figure out where we’d failed to explain why we did the angel tree. Do you think it’s because we assume they understand? Or do we just get into too big a hurry to think about it?

Okay, so I’m not at all worried about the end, but I figure now is as good a time as any to thank each one of you for being a miracle in my life. Whether you read the blog regularly or buy my books or spread the word about my stories or just say hi at signings and conferences you are each a miracle in my life. Your support makes what I do possible. You make it a joy.

As a thank you, I’m going to share the miracle of laughter with you. My oldest daughter showed this to me. It’s too ridiculous not to laugh at.

Have a miraculous week!

I’ve often wondered what I’d do differently if given such an opportunity.  Most of us never get that second chance.  Then I had a dream.  A wounded soul, grieving for a lost brother, the brother who didn’t get to fulfill the thing he wanted most in life, and a wife trying to understand the husband who’s drifting farther and farther away from her.  That dream became the basis of my Christmas paranormal romance novella, Second Chances.

Blurb:  A firefighter in Denver, Ryan Jackson still grieves the loss of his brother who died almost two years earlier on Christmas Eve.  He thought he’d gotten past the loss until he began having dreams about his dead brother.  In the dreams his brother asks him for something—impossible.

Ryan’s wife, Rose, knows something’s wrong.  For the last several months Ryan’s grown more withdrawn and distant.   She loves him and knows he loves her, but doubts begin to creep in.  She’s determined to find out why her husband is withdrawing from her and win him back—no matter the cost.

An early Christmas gift, an unexpected trip and haunting dreams.  Can the love shared between Ryan and Rose overcome grief and guilt and lend a little magic for a second chance at happiness?

Excerpt from “Second Chances”

Rose walked around the dining room, putting the final touches on the table.  Flowers and candles, even a bottle of white wine.  Long stem crystal glasses next to the good china.  Dinner was ready.  She’d stopped at Ryan’s favorite Italian place on the way home, picked up all the foods he loved.   Though she was no slouch in the kitchen, the horrendous hours she had put in all week left little time or energy for cooking. And besides, she wanted everything to be extra special tonight.

Soft music played in the background, the strains of the classical piano concerto wafted from the speakers.  Soothing and romantic music setting the stage for the evening to come.  The lights were dimmed and tall taper candles cast a warm glow across the dining room.  Perfect.  She’d done her best to set up a long-needed romantic evening with her husband.

Something was bothering him, kept him on edge for the past few months.  She hadn’t pressed.  He’d tell her whatever it was when the time was right.  Still she worried.

Is he unhappy?  Am I not enough anymore?  The insidious doubts niggled at the back of her mind, managed despite her best efforts to creep into her head each day.   She tried to ignore them, push them away, but the fear still managed to insinuate itself into her thoughts. 

I can’t lose him.  He’s my life.  I’ll do whatever it takes, fight whoever I have to fight.  I’m not giving up on Ryan.  On us.

The front door opened and Ryan strode through, paused a moment when the soft strains of Mozart floated across the air.  She watched him inhale deeply and a smile curled his lips as he dropped his gym bag by the console table in the entry hall.

“Honey, I’m home.”

Rose laughed as she always did.  He said the same words to her every single day when he came home.

“Hey, stud.”  There was a little extra sway in her walk and not just from the four-inch heels she wore.  The soft dove-gray dress nipped in at the waist before flaring out at the hips into a tulip skirt that swirled around her legs.  She met him halfway through the living room.

Familiar hands slid around her waist, pulled her forward against his body.  Anxious to feel his strength beneath her fingers, her hands slid up his shoulders and around his neck.  Tilting her head up, she leaned in closer.  A flutter of excitement danced inside her at the spark in his eyes.  Maybe he still loved her.  Maybe she could win him back.  In almost painful slow motion, his head lowered.  Finally, their lips met.  Her mouth opened to deepen the kiss.  She loved the feel of his lips, the slide of his tongue, the tingle that shot straight through her core to the very heart of her at his touch.  Sighing she leaned further into the kiss.  Heavens above, how she loved this man.  Her hands threaded through his dark hair, still damp from his shower at the gym.

He pulled back, breaking the kiss to stare deep into her eyes.  One brow quirked, a habit of his she loved.  Sexy.  “What’s going on, hon?”

“Does something have to be going on?  Maybe I just wanted to have a romantic dinner with my husband.”

“So, I didn’t forget anything important—like your birthday or our anniversary?”  He laughed, wiping his brow in mock terror.

She slapped him lightly on the chest.  “You better not be forgetting my birthday, bub.”

He inhaled again deeply followed by an appreciative growl.  “Something smells great.  Eddie’s?”

“You bet.”

“Have I told you lately how much I adore you? You’re the best.”

Rose stared up into his face.  The doubts she’d had earlier crowded back into her mind.  Did he mean it?

“I love you too, Ryan.”  Her hand lifted to brush against his cheek, her thumb slid down curling against the pulse point in his throat, felt the rock steady beat beneath the pad.

“Let’s eat.  I’m starving.”  His voice broke the silence, and she started to lower her hand.  Grasping it, he raised her fingers to his lips, pressed a kiss into the palm and folded her fingers inward, as if catching it inside her closed fist.

This can’t be over, she thought.  He still loves me.

Rose stared up into her husband’s face and a wave of something passed over her, sending a shiver down her spine. Chill bumps tingled across her skin and she remembered the old saying her granny used to tell her whenever that had happened as a child.  Somebody from the other side just touched you, child.  They’ve sent their love.

“You know, I think dinner can wait a bit, don’t you?  I’m suddenly hungry—but not for food.”  Ryan bent and nudged his shoulder into her midsection and swatted her on the backside as he swung her into a fireman’s carry.  Jogging toward the master suite, his laughter filled the hall.  Hung suspended over his back, her squeal of protest turned to laughter.

You have to admire the view, she thought, watching the sway of muscles as he carried her through to the bedroom.  Even hanging upside down over his shoulder, the man was magnificent.

Falling onto the bed in a tangle of passion and laughter, she vowed to find out what had stolen away her husband’s happiness and to bring it back. . . no matter what it took.

I hope you enjoy Ryan and Rose’s story in Second Chances as much as I loved writing it.  Feel free to contact me; I’d love the opportunity to chat.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords | KOBO

Bio:  An avid reader of all types of romance, Kathy writes both romantic suspense and paranormal romance. Kathy makes her home in the heart of North Texas doing her best to deal with the Texas heat. She’s a member of Romance Writers of American (RWA) and the Dallas Area Romance Authors (DARA). Her debut romantic suspense, Desperate Choices, won the 2012 OKRWA International Digital Award for suspense.

The Best Thing
Book Three in the Kent Brothers Series

A year ago, Tori let her guard down and Brody Kent slipped right in, planting one hot, unforgettable kiss on her in a dark corner at the company Christmas party. Though the kiss surpassed her wildest dreams, she can’t let it happen again. She loves Brody, but he’s got a reputation for loving and leaving. She’ll have to keep her heart—and her libido—in check.

Brody can’t get the time of day from Tori—ever since that impulsive kiss, she’s avoided him with the same brutal efficiency she uses to manage his family’s construction company office. The company can’t afford to lose her, and Brody’s come to realize that he can’t live without her. But how can he convince Tori that he’s a changed man?

It just might take a Christmas miracle.

Text Copyright © 2012 by Jaci Burton
Cover Art Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A. Cover art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved. ® nd TM are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.

The Best Thing is available as a single novella, or in a combination collection—Romancing the Holiday—containing The Best Thing and two other contemporary romances from HelenKay Dimon and Christi Barth.

We wish you a merry Christmas…and a happily ever after!

A memorable three-night stand gets rekindled in a cabin in West Virginia. An office romance is sparked by an impulsive holiday kiss. And two best friends scout locations for a marriage proposal and discover that they make a perfect match. ‘Tis the season for laughter, love and a lifetime of happiness.

Edited by Angela James this anthology includes:
We’ll Be Home for Christmas by HelenKay Dimon
The Best Thing by Jaci Burton
Ask Her at Christmas by Christi Barth

ORDER THE BOOK