Today I am so pleased to welcome Kelly Jensen to Joyfully Jay. Kelly has come to talk to us about her latest release, Counting Down (Counting #2). She has also brought along a great tour wide giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
The Hidden Something
I devoted an entire blog post to “The Hidden Something.” I called it “There’s Something About Henry.” Yes, I thought my title was very clever, but it’s a question that crops up again and again for Marc. What is it about Henry? What is that hidden something?
You’re going to have to read that post to see what I think it is, but Marc obviously has his own opinion. Marc always has an opinion. Here’s an excerpt where Marc starts to explore his thoughts, and then gets a little sidetracked.
For an entry into my giveaway, comment below with your answer to the following question: Who would you like to be stuck in a basement with? (Don’t forget to include your email address!)
Excerpt
Marc leaned out of the door. “Henry?”
No answer.
He tried again from the bottom of the stairs. “Auttenberg!”
Footsteps, then a dark head poked around the corner. “What?”
“Get your ass down here. I want to try something.”
Henry descended the stairs at a cautious pace. “Now’s not really the time—”
“Not that.” His grin was automatic. “Not right this minute.”
“What makes you think I’m going to bottom for you, anyway?”
Marc shifted in place, caught between the urge to clench and thrust while standing still. He was face-to-face with Henry, meeting him eye to eye, because they were pretty much the same height and not that different physically. The idea of Henry under him appealed greatly. Being the one on the bottom, though…. He’d thought about it. Of course he had.
Leaning forward, he spoke near Henry’s ear. “Someone’s gotta show me what to do.”
Henry’s breath caught, held, and rushed back out. “Nothing like learning from doing.”
And there it was again, the hidden <em>something</em> that made Henry so fascinating. The way he refused to be cowed. The way he returned every poke with equal force.
Capturing Henry’s ear between his teeth, Marc nipped, then kissed. Henry’s skin tasted good. He didn’t use flowery soap or cologne, and the scent of his shampoo was oddly familiar. Not the same as Marc used, but something like it. Henry’s cheek moved past his, smooth and freshly shaven. Their lips met, mouths opening instantly. A moan built quickly in Marc’s throat. Again. Couldn’t he kiss Henry without voicing need?
No, he couldn’t.
Tongues tangling, the taste of Henry claiming him. The feel of Henry’s hands sliding beneath his coat. Marc forgot they were standing in a hall. Forgot the numbers ticking over in his head, counting down to midnight. Forgot whether he wanted to thrust or clench. Did both. Backed Henry into a wall and kissed him with a fevered intensity. Henry’s breath cooled his lips as their mouths moved and realigned, and quick pants echoed between soft moans and groans.
A gentle rock forward brought their hips together—groins connecting. Hardness to hardness. Marc reached down to trace the ridge beneath Henry’s fly. Henry caught his lip and bit it—gently. All of Marc’s breath left him in a rush.
Henry let go and stepped back. “The door….”
Marc nipped at Henry’s kiss-swollen lips. “Huh?”
“The door. We’re not watching the door.”
Whoops. Marc looked up and listened. For a second or two, he heard nothing but the pounding of his own heart and the swish of blood behind his ears. Leaning forward, he nosed Henry’s cheek. “I think that kiss was worth being trapped a little longer.”
Blurb
It’s been a week since a Christmas Eve blizzard changed the course of Marcus Winnamore’s life. Plan A is now Plan B, and the first item on his new agenda is taking Henry Auttenberg on a date. They’ve been invited to a New Year’s Eve party, and Marc is counting down the hours until midnight… until he can kiss Henry in front of his colleagues and friends.
Things don’t quite work out to plan. Finding the elevator out of service, Marc and Henry check the stairs, only to choose the wrong door, and become locked in the basement. Close quarters once again make for close conversation, and as they explore every avenue of escape, they also explore the deepening attraction between them. For Marc, this isn’t an experiment. Will he still feel that way when he has to admit to someone other than Henry that he’s gay?
Bio
If aliens ever do land on Earth, Kelly will not be prepared, despite having read over a hundred stories of the apocalypse. Still, she will pack her precious books into a box and carry them with her as she strives to survive. It’s what bibliophiles do.
Kelly is the author of a number of novels, novellas and short stories, including the Chaos Station series, co-written with Jenn Burke. Some of what she writes is speculative in nature, but mostly it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.
Connect with Kelly: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Giveaway
Every comment throughout Kelly’s tour counts as an entry in the giveaway. One winner will receive $15 (US or equivalent) to spend at the Dreamspinner Press store. Kelly would like you to comment below with your answer to the following question: Who would you like to be stuck in a basement with? The contest closes April 5th.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Definitely NOT with an annoying people, LOL. I wouldn’t wish to be stuck in a basement with my crush, it’d be too nerve-wrecking. Much prefer with someone like MacGyver that could come up with unusual (but working) solution! 🙂
puspitorinid AT yahoo DOT com
Yay, MacGyver. I’d like to get stuck anywhere with him.
Congratulations on the release of Counting Down, Kelly; I enjoyed the excerpt and look forward to reading more. If I had to be locked in the basement, I’d want to be there with someone who has a flashlight, a good supply of snacks, and a sense of humor …. a working cell phone would be good, too!
Snacks!
Is it cheating to give the answer of “an escape artist”?
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Lol. 🙂
Congratulations on your new release Kelly the first person they came into my head was Dean Winchester! He could easily find away out of the basement and of course I would be very happy just to chat *wink* with him.
ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk
Yes!
Ok, so I’m weird. If I had to be stuck in a basement, I’d rather it not be someone I’m attracted to. I’d rather it be someone I like to hang out with, someone I’m comfortable discussing all kinds of topics with. Because if we’re gonna be in there for a long time, I want to be able to enjoy some conversation & not have to regret what happened afterward because. Oh yeah, awkward!
I love this idea. 🙂
If I had to be stuck in a basement with someone, that someone had better be a positive, upbeat person who is a good storyteller. I’d want the person to have a very loud voice (for yelling) and preferably a blanket (it gets damp in basements).
I am good enough with my own company, if I can be stuck in a basement for few hours with only my Kindle Paperwhite, I am fine with it waiting until someone comes along and help. But if I have to choose somebody, well, maybe my sister so we can talk and scream out loud together
amie_07(at)yahoo(dot)com
Life is never easy. I would lvoe to see how they worked out everything.
Fingers crossed, this will happen!
Probably someone who could get me out of the room and not really want to talk to me. All the person’s energy would be used solely to get us out.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Congrats and thanks for the post. My first choice is kind of obvious, and blah, but truthful – my husband. But beyond that, I thought maybe someone famous from history, like my favorite forefather John Adams. Or more recent, someone I admire, like Nelson Mandela. Then I wouldn’t mind being stuck. :-)-
TheWrote {at] aol [dot] com
Congratulations on your new release, Kelly. And thank you for the post.
I would love to be stuck in the basement with Mark Harmon. I even help him finish his boat.
tankie44 at gmail dot com
Does my cat count? Because, honestly, I don’t think any other person would be able to stand my hysterics, being claustrophobic…
susanaperez7140(at)Gmail(dot)com
Lol
Depends on how long I’m stuck in the basement. Right now it sounds like a great place to be for a day or so as long as I have my Kindle and snacks. Of course, if Mr Right came along it might be fun. 🙂
aelnova@aol.com
If I had to be stuck in the basement with someone, I would pick my husband. Not that I want him to be stuck in a basement, but he is my partner and best friend. Plus, we work well together and would figure a way out.
jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com
I love the husband comments. <3
Sexy fireman! Since I’m horribly claustrophobic, I’d feel happier with someone who could save me if there’s big trouble…or just make me not mind being trapped with him…
vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com
lol
Hmm, someone who has survival skills and wit. I don’t think it would be fun to be stuck in a basement.
serena91291@gmail(dot)com
I would need someone calm and relaxed. If one of us panics that will probably me (!!!) and it would be nice, if the other person could help me to compose myself.
kragthang AT aim DOT com
Thanks for all the comments! This giveaway is now closed.