Laid Bare with Flair Contest Day 26!
Jul
28
2009

Today, the fabulous Maya Banks has kindly offered up an ARC of Sweet Seduction! The deal is, the damned woman is really nice. She’s nice and talented and she’s a star but not an ass. If she wasn’t so nice it’d be easier to hate her, so I guess I have to continue to love her like cupcakes.

Available October 2009 from
Berkley Heat

He was the stuff erotic dreams are made of

Salon owner Julie Stanford wanted Nathan Tucker ever since she gave him his first massage. Getting paid to feel every inch of his body, stripped, oiled, and spread out in front of her? Stuff dreams are made of. But the sexy lug was oblivious to the signals she was sendingโ€”until she finished off his final rub-down with something extra. In fact, the best extra he ever had. Unfortunately, he came around too late. Now Julie’s moving on…

She was everything he’d dreamed of

The woman was driving him crazy. She lit fire to his insides then ran like a scalded cat. And now she’s going to someone else to have all her fantasies fulfilled? Over his dead body… He’s more than willing to give her what she wants, and as soon as he pins the little minx down, he’d show her his own brand of sweet seduction.

EXCERPT from SWEET SEDUCTION by MAYA BANKS

Nathan roared up into the parking lot of Malone and Sons Security and cut the engine. With an irritated yank of his keys, he got out and slammed his door.

He strode to the door, glowering the entire way. That damn hellcat Julie. After giving him a blow job that rivaled Mt. Vesuvius, she’d had the nerve to blow him off.

What the fuck point was she trying to prove? If she wanted his attention, she’d certainly gotten it in a big way. After weeks and weeks of endless sexual frustration, his prayers had been answered. Julie’s mouth around his cock, her hands on his body, a vixen bent on seduction.

Yeah, well then she’d turned into a friggin’ iceberg. Not only had she fired his assโ€”could a customer be fired?โ€”but he’d seen neither hide nor hair of her in a week. A week! When before he couldn’t damn well turn around without her being in his face, now she’d disappeared off the face of the earth.

He’d gone into her salon, determined that she, and nobody else, was going to give him a massage. Only this time he was going to have her down on the table under his mouth and hands. Imagine his surprise when a woman he’d never seen before introduced herself as Julie’s new massage therapist.

Oh, hell no.

He’d turned around and walked out, ready to strangle Julie. Right after he fucked her brains out.

He swung open the door to the building and stalked in, making a beeline for Faith’s office. He almost ran into Micah Hudson in the hallway. Micah started to say something but took a look at Nathan’s face and held his hands up.

Micah backed away, an amused grin on his face. “I’ll catch you later, dude. After you’ve worked the knot out of your panties.”

“Fuck you,” Nathan muttered as he shoved past him.

Faith looked up as Nathan walked in to her office, her eyebrows going up. Usually he was a lot more even tempered, especially with Faith. He loved the girl to death, but today his patience was hanging by a thread.

He put his hands down on Faith’s desk and leaned over to stare her in the eye. “Where. Is. She.”

Faith blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Julie,” he growled. “Where the hell is she hiding?”

A burst of amusement flared in Faith’s eyes, which only served to piss Nathan off more.

“I swear to you, Faith, if you don’t tell me where she is, I’m going to strangle that pretty neck of yours.”

If he thought that threat was going to get him anywhere he was sadly mistaken. Faith laughed in his face.

“She finally get to you, Nathan?”

He closed his eyes and was tempted to beat his head on the desk. God save him from impossible women. When he reopened his eyes, he found Faith staring at him, a glint of steel in her expression.

“Come on, Faith,” he wheedled. “You’re supposed to be my friend.”

“What you are is a dumbass.”

His mouth fell open. What the hell happened to sweet, generous Faith who made them all coffee and mothered them incessantly?

She stood and placed her own hands on the desk and leaned forward, her lips twisted in a snarl. “You ignore her for weeks, act like she doesn’t even exist and then when you decide to take notice, you’re pissed because she’s not running when you snap your fingers?”

“Not that I don’t love watching you get your ass kicked by a girl, but Pop wants you on the phone,” Micah called from the door. Laughter was heavy in his voice.

“Get out!” he and Faith said at the same time.

Micah threw up his hands. “Okay, okay. Just don’t call me to clean up the mess later.” He backed out of the office at high speed.

Nathan turned back to Faith. “What do you mean I’ve ignored her for weeks? Do you know how impossible it is to ignore that woman? I’d have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to notice.”

It was Faith’s turn for her mouth to gape open. Then to his utter shock, she reached across and smacked him upside the head.

He yanked back, staring at her in shock. “What the hell was that for?”

“Dumbass. Complete and utter moron. If all men were as stupid as you, the world would have a population crisis.”

“You can quit with the insults any time.”

“Don’t stop now. It’s just getting interesting,” Connor Malone said from the door.

“Out!” Faith screeched at her brother.

Nathan didn’t say anything, but he pinned Connor with a glare. Connor’s shoulders shook with laughter, but he turned and sauntered back out.

“Office is a damn revolving door today,” Nathan muttered.

“It’s a revolving door every day,” Faith said pointedly. “You just never get the hint. Just like you’re too thick to figure out that you could have had Julie at any time. You’ve lost your chance, and moreover, you don’t deserve her.”

Heat simmered in Nathan’s veins. Lost his chance, my ass. Just because women had to be so fucking complicated didn’t mean that he was the dumbass for not figuring out the mystic woman’s code for I want you. There wasn’t a man in the world who knew how the fuck women thought, and if he said he did, he was a goddamn liar.

“So, you’re on her side,” Nathan huffed.

She rolled her eyes. “Men are such babies.”

“Would you quit with the name-calling? Jesus, Faith, what’s crawled up your ass?”

“Why are you here, Nathan?” she asked impatiently.

He gaped at her. His blood pressure was going through the roof. He’d be lucky if he didn’t stroke out in her office. He reached for his hair but then remembered he didn’t have any.

“Why the hell do you think I’m here?” he roared.

She looked unfazed by the fact he was losing his mind.

“I’m here because that hellcat seduced me and then ran the fuck away. She’s avoiding me, and when I went in for my massage, another fucking woman showed up to give me one. And you think I’m a chickenshit?”

“No, you’re a dumbass,” she pointed out in a bored tone.

He threw up his hands and slumped down in the chair behind him. “Okay, Faith, I’m a dumbass. Now tell me why I’m such a dumbass, because obviously I’m too much of a dumbass to see!”

She sat down in her chair with a smirk. “Nice sarcasm, Nathan. And I thought that was Micah’s job.”

“I heard that,” Micah called from the hall.

“Not to mention eavesdropping,” Nathan growled. “Micah, I’m going to kick your fucking ass if you don’t get the hell away from Faith’s door.”

He got up and stalked over to look down the hall. To his supreme irritation, Micah stood there with Connor and Gray Montgomery and they all wore shit-eating grins that told him they’d overheard every word of his argument with Faith.

“Assholes. The lot of you,” Nathan swore.

“You raise your voice to Faith again and I’ll kick your ass,” Gray said mildly.

“Oh, like I’d do anything to her even if I’m tempted to strangle her,” Nathan said in irritation. “She’s being a royal pain in my ass.”

“I heard that,” Faith called.

Nathan threw up his hands. “Get lost, okay guys? If I wanted the greater Houston area to know what I was talking about, I’d take out an ad.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Connor said thoughtfully. “We could rent a billboard. I’m sorry, Julie. I’m a blind, deaf and a dumb moron who doesn’t know what to do with his dick,” he mimicked.

Nathan sucked in a deep breath, walked back into Faith’s office and slammed the door as hard as he could.

“You break my door and you’re going to fix it,” Faith said.

“Faith, look at me,” Nathan said as he walked back to her desk. He leaned over until their faces were a few inches apart. “Cut the crap for a minute and help me, okay?”

Her expression softened. “I can’t help you, Nathan. You fucked this up. I’d tell you to fix it but it’s really too late. Julie . . . she’s hard. Girl holds a grudge forever. She’s decided to give up on you and move on. Once she’s decided on something, getting her to change her mind is like getting a pit bull to give up a prime steak.”

“So her giving me the best blow job of my life during a massage was her kissing me good-bye?” Nathan asked dryly.

Faith’s cheeks turned pink, and he felt bad for speaking so bluntly in front of her.

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

Faith sighed. “I think that was supposed to be showing you what you’re missing out on and what you’ve given up by not noticing her before.”

Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “So you knew what she was going to do?”

Faith raised one eyebrow. “I knew she was planning something. Just not what exactly.”

“Vengeful heifer,” Nathan muttered.

Faith grinned. “That she is.”

“Well screw that,” Nathan said as he shoved away from her desk again. “She can’t just take those kinds of liberties with my body and walk away.”

Faith burst out laughing. She laughed so hard that tears rolled down her cheeks. “You sound like an outraged maiden,” she gasped.

He grinned. “Who says I’m not? I was innocent before she corrupted me. If she thinks she can use me and then discard me, she’s mistaken.”

Faith wiped at her tears and laughed harder. “Innocent, my ass. Dear Lord, I was feeling sorry for you but now I think my sympathies have shifted to Julie. I’m not entirely sure she realizes what she’s gotten herself into.”

“No,” Nathan said silkily. “She has no clue what she’s started. But she will. Very soon.”

I’ll choose a comment at random for this ARC – tomorrow afternoon! Good luck.

145 comments to “Laid Bare with Flair Contest Day 26!”

  1. Calila
    July 28th, 2009 at 3:53 pm · Link

    HA! That was hilarious. Looks like I’m gonna have to add this book to my list. LOL



  2. limecello
    July 28th, 2009 at 4:27 pm · Link

    Oh. Holy. Shit. This is one I’d REALLY want to win. Haha. Too bad I’m not … lucky number 103? O_o

    Anyway, today was day one. My brain is one.



  3. Mitzi Hinkey
    July 28th, 2009 at 4:32 pm · Link

    Love all Maya’s books. Count me in too!!! This is gonna be a great hot read…what an excerpt!!



  4. Patty S.
    July 28th, 2009 at 4:56 pm · Link

    I love Maya’s books!! Can’t wait for this one!



  5. Mary Preston
    July 28th, 2009 at 5:20 pm · Link

    I have my fingers crossed for this one. Wonderful series!



  6. Lindsay
    July 28th, 2009 at 5:27 pm · Link

    I can’t wait to read this one! Maya’s books are always super super good!!



  7. Mari
    July 28th, 2009 at 5:27 pm · Link

    I love Maya’s books. Please enter me.



  8. Diane Sadler
    July 28th, 2009 at 6:00 pm · Link

    Oh Boy! does this book sound good or not?
    Wow!



  9. Dana
    July 28th, 2009 at 6:28 pm · Link

    Julies in TROUBLE!! But …some, uh good kinda trouble!!!

    Ohhhhhhhh…can’t wait to hear HOW he gets his revenge!



  10. Amy S.
    July 28th, 2009 at 6:30 pm · Link

    Sounds awesome! I have been waiting for this!



  11. Bella
    July 28th, 2009 at 6:35 pm · Link

    Thanks Maya and Lauren! I am a HUGE Maya Banks fan and have all the books in this series as well as practically every e-book the woman has ever written! Can’t wait for this one!

    ~bella



  12. Greta
    July 28th, 2009 at 6:41 pm · Link

    I purposed waited until late to comment. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. I absolutely love Maya – she rocks.



  13. Booklover1335
    July 28th, 2009 at 6:56 pm · Link

    OMG I would so love to win an Arc of Sweet Seduction.

    You say Maya is a sweetie, but I think she’s a devious sweetie :twisted:, because she teased us with Nathan and Faith’s story throughout Sweet Persuasion.

    I can’t wait to read this one!!!



  14. Shelly A
    July 28th, 2009 at 6:58 pm · Link

    Great excerpt. Love to read Maya’s books! ๐Ÿ™‚



  15. Marie E.
    July 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm · Link

    Ooh, Sweet Seduction sounds great! Please count me in.



  16. Shell the HOckeyvampiress
    July 28th, 2009 at 7:29 pm · Link

    Oh please pick me…. I need to continue on the story from Persuasion and can’t wait until I can afford one…. ๐Ÿ™‚



  17. BadBarb
    July 28th, 2009 at 7:29 pm · Link

    :twisted:This book is mine. ๐Ÿ˜ˆ



  18. Sherry
    July 28th, 2009 at 7:30 pm · Link

    Wow this has been a popular place today. I would love to win this book! Love Maya’s books! ๐Ÿ™‚



  19. BookFiend
    July 28th, 2009 at 7:40 pm · Link

    I’m just reading my first Maya Banks now. Would love a chance to win this book!



  20. Cathi O
    July 28th, 2009 at 7:55 pm · Link

    I know what I will be looking for at Borders!



  21. Mary
    July 28th, 2009 at 8:00 pm · Link

    Wow, all the things I love about your books Maya. Witty banter, strong heroine and a hero who needs to wise up before he loses the best thing in his life. Can’t wait to read it.

    Mary



  22. stacey smith
    July 28th, 2009 at 8:01 pm · Link

    wow thats sexy hot . look like its a great book hope to win.
    sasluvbooks@yahoo.com



  23. Michelle B.
    July 28th, 2009 at 8:08 pm · Link

    Hey, thanks for the great excerpt…really enjoyed it and would like to read more…



  24. Erica B
    July 28th, 2009 at 9:05 pm · Link

    I LOVE Maya Banks!!!!!!!!!



  25. Fedora
    July 28th, 2009 at 9:05 pm · Link

    Oh man! Thanks for the excerpt! Please pick me! ๐Ÿ˜‰



  26. Jessica
    July 28th, 2009 at 9:54 pm · Link

    i absolutely love this series and cannot wait to read this book!



  27. Zhan
    July 28th, 2009 at 10:09 pm · Link

    I’m so glad Nathan and Julie are finally getting their story. October can’t come soon enough.



  28. Midnight
    July 28th, 2009 at 10:10 pm · Link

    ๐Ÿ˜€ I can not wait tell this book is out! Really excited about how julie shows nathan off!!!!!

    :winks:



  29. Sandy M
    July 28th, 2009 at 10:19 pm · Link

    Love Maya’s books! And would love to win this one!



  30. Mickey M (m-square)
    July 28th, 2009 at 10:32 pm · Link

    Haven’t won yet, maybe this will be my chance – I love Maya Banks and this series has been one of my all time favorites. I have been waiting for Nathan and Julie’s story, they have been dancing around each other forever. Can’t wait for Micah and Connor to meet their matches too.



  31. Edie
    July 28th, 2009 at 10:35 pm · Link

    130??!!
    Well now 131.. lol



  32. Terri W.
    July 28th, 2009 at 11:06 pm · Link

    Great excerpt and I love the cover!

    I’m heard great things and reviews of Maya’s books. Definately want to check this book out.



  33. Andrea
    July 28th, 2009 at 11:13 pm · Link

    I love the excerpt! It definitely makes me want to read the whole thing. I’m going to have to start looking at all the Maya Banks books now too. ๐Ÿ™‚



  34. kh
    July 28th, 2009 at 11:15 pm · Link

    very hot love the cover
    count me in as always ๐Ÿ˜Ž



  35. Blair W Lewis
    July 29th, 2009 at 12:13 am · Link

    Thanks for the giveaway count me in !!
    I would really like to read your books



  36. Shawna L Phillips
    July 29th, 2009 at 12:14 am · Link

    WOW sounds amazing thanks for the giveaway I would love to read more of the Authors books!!!!



  37. ShawnaLewis
    July 29th, 2009 at 12:15 am · Link

    Perfect time for me to win I need a new book to start YA thank you for the chance



  38. catie james
    July 29th, 2009 at 2:38 am · Link

    I’ve wanted to try this series for a while now and after reading that excerpt? Oooo! I soooooooooo want to start with this installment!!!



  39. Sharon M
    July 29th, 2009 at 6:35 am · Link

    Here I thought I was looking forward to Micah’s story the most but after that excerpt… no way!! We’ve gotten to see Julie lusting after Nathan for a while now and to see some of Nathan’s thoughts – whew! And I love Faith giving him the what for. ๐Ÿ˜€



  40. Lori T
    July 29th, 2009 at 7:37 am · Link

    Hi Maya and Lauren~

    I am really looking forward to reading this. I would love to be entered.



  41. Miranda C
    July 29th, 2009 at 8:58 am · Link

    I’m so excited for this one!



  42. April S.
    July 29th, 2009 at 9:39 am · Link

    ๐Ÿ˜€ woo hoo!! Hi Lauren and Maya…Maya I am super stoked to see the passion and heat that is oncoming between Nathan and Julie ๐Ÿ˜› this has me psyched…the chemistry in your books are awesome.
    ๐Ÿ˜† I love your characters and they always take me away to a special place that makes my life better…thank you for the terrific writing that you do….



  43. Lisa
    July 29th, 2009 at 1:59 pm · Link

    WOW….I cannot wait to get my hands on this must read book…I have all of Maya Banks books and yes I was looking forward to reading about Micah…but have to admit Nathan & Julie’s story looks real good…I just love how Maya brings together a story and I get completely caught into it. It makes for a great stress reliever from everyday ciaos which is my world…you ladies rock in what you do keep up the amazing work!



  44. Lynnette Clayton
    July 29th, 2009 at 3:30 pm · Link

    I am excited to read Nathan and Julie’s story. The end of Sweet Pursuasion definately left you wondering what would happen with these two. I love Maya Banks’ books. They draw you in and make you wish you were the characters in the books. Then we have Micah’s story. All great books!!

    Keep it up!



  45. Roberta
    August 7th, 2009 at 6:08 pm · Link

    :cool:Maya’s book “Sweet Persuasion” was given as a gift to me! Now I’m hooked! I look foward to what happens to Nathan and Julie. How will he win her? She is written as a very strong personality who knows what she wants!



  46. Laura K
    August 13th, 2009 at 7:00 pm · Link

    Oh, would love to win this. Am SUCH A fan girl!