I’d intended to regale everyone with a fabulous report about the Romantic Times convention in Daytona Beach last week. I still plan to…once I get over the flu. Since you all need SOMETHING to read, and people are asking for excerpts of STRIP SEARCH (beyond what’s available from the website), I’m posting little something below.

Before I do, though, a quick question… How do you feel about a once a week excerpt of either my work or others? I personally love excerpts. Teasing is the fun stuff. If you feel the same, I can do excerpts! Lemme know!

STRIP SEARCH ~ Berkley Sensation
On sale July 5th
ISBN 0-425-21109-6

“Bet I can guess how many pairs of shoes you have, give or take five.”

Challenge lit her eyes. “Bet you can’t.”

“You’re on. What do I win if I’m right?”

“The privilege of knowing you’re right.” She tried to put him in his place with a dismissive gaze.

Mark wasn’t about to let her.

“Let’s make this interesting. I want a kiss.”

Nicki tensed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Backing out?” he taunted.

He was betting a lot here, gambling that Nicki wasn’t the kind of woman to retreat from a challenge. If he was wrong…well, she’d likely throw him out on his ass, tell him to screw himself, and hire someone else to work in her club. He held his breath, waiting.

“I’m not backing out,” she insisted. “I’m being reasonable.”

“How is one tiny peck being unreasonable?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I get the feeling you’re a give-an-inch-take-a-mile sort of guy.”

Oh, she had him pegged. “I swear, one kiss. I won’t put a single finger out of line.” At least not right away. “Besides, you could always win. What do you want if you do?”

“For you to get the hell out of my office and stop shamelessly flirting.”

“You might get your way. All you’ve got to do is agree to play the game.”