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Jul
30 2009 | ||
Today I’m giving away a copy of Laid Bare! I got a box of author copies all shiny and pretty so I thought I’d share.
Great Googly Moogly do I love that cover! The excerpt below is the opening of the book.
Unexpected Desire…
It’s been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn’t in the cards just yet…
Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin’s past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd’s best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed—and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?
Excerpt from LAID BARE by LAUREN DANE
Copyright Lauren Dane, 2009
All Rights Reserved, Penguin Group
Music, raw and hard like sex, pulsed through the speaker stack, caught the people in front of the stage as much as it had her in its grip.
The bass line throbbed through her like a second pulse as the scent of beer and sweat settled into her system. Sweat slicked her forehead and slid down the line of her spine. The muscles in her forearm corded as she played, her fingers finding their way as they had time and again. A secret smile marked her lips as her halflidded eyes focused on something not visible to anyone else.
Yes, it was a man’s world up there, but she’d kicked down the door with her Doc Martens and she wasn’t giving her spot to anyone else. She loved making music, and it fit her like a second skin.
It made her alive.
Her dreads swung forward, partially obscuring her face—adding, she knew, to the overall effect. Her belly, glistening with sweat, slid against the back of her bass where her shirt ended and her low-slung jeans began.
Up there, under the blue lights, she didn’t have to work at it. She was. She was exactly where she wanted to be, a guitar strapped to her body, calluses on her fingers from playing. The muscles in her upper arms were well defined because she hauled equipment around for gigs. There wasn’t any doubt, any self-consciousness. She lived the life she wanted.
Erin Brown had stopped apologizing for wanting things. She grabbed experiences with both hands and gobbled them down.
Even if the band never made it beyond small, local rock clubs, she’d be happy to just keep playing. There wasn’t much more you could ask for in life, and Erin accepted her blessings quite happily and graciously.
Todd took a pull from his beer, one leg bent as he leaned against the windowsill, looking out toward the street. There she was, getting out of her beat-up van. He had no idea why the hell he did it, but since he’d moved to the day shift he found himself at his window every night at six-fourteen to watch her make the walk from car to door.
She was so not the kind of woman who usually caught his eye. Still, his fingers gripped the sill as he greedily took in the way she moved. Like she couldn’t care less if people watched. Or worse, got off on it.
Long and lean, her gait ate up the walk, her dreadlocks swinging to her ass. A fine ass it was in those faded jeans. If he looked close enough, he saw the threadbare spots just beneath the pockets.
Reflexively, he tightened his hands into fists as tension hummed through him. Anticipation and a sort of need filled his gut as he watched her.
He snorted at what an idiot he was being. Dreadlocks. What woman wore dreadlocks? Not his sort of woman, that was all there was to it.
Time stopped, along with his heart, when she turned at her door and met his gaze with a smile. A smile that told him she’d known he watched. Surprised but rooted to the spot, he raised a hand in greeting. She paused a moment before tipping her chin at him.
Briefly he relaxed as she turned back to her door, but that slid away when she paused again, dropped her bag on the porch and turned back toward his place.
Shit.
She was already on his doorstep by the time he’d put his beer down and opened the door to face her.
“Officer Keenan, how are you today?”
Her voice did things to him. Unwilling things. Low and smoky. It went with her eyes, a sort of brownish green, full of promises. Damn it, she was not what he wanted. And still he couldn’t keep his eyes from dropping to take in her nipples straining against the front of her shirt.
“Erin, I’ve told you, it’s Todd.” Yanking his gaze back to her face, he stood in the doorway, fighting the urge to invite her in. She put a hand on her hip and he caught the taut expanse of her belly exposed with the movement. And the glimmer of the ring she had there.
“I know, but I like calling you Officer Keenan. It’s sort of sexy. Very in-charge and authoritative.” She winked. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know we were having some people over later tonight. It shouldn’t be loud. You should come over if you’re going to be around.”
“Thanks for asking, but it’s really not my thing.” He shoved his hands in his front pockets before he did something stupid like reaching out to trace around the ring in her belly button or to test the texture of the dread hanging nearest to him.
She smelled of something unique. Heady, smoldering and sweet all at once. Every time they came in close contact he had that scent in his nose for days.
Today’s Question: What’s your favorite book to movie or television series?
I’ll choose a winner tomorrow afternoon!
July 30th, 2009 at 9:14 am · Link
Boris Pasternak’s Dr Zhivago! I even named my daughter Lara after Larissa. Julie Christie’s character.
Also loved James Clavell’s Shogun with Richard Chamberlain and The Thorn Birds Coleen McCoulough also with Chamberlain.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:20 am · Link
Oh, man, jumping up and down, pick-me, pick-me… lol
LOTR is my favorite book to movie adaptation Lauren.
THANK YOU for the chance.
Best
L 😀
July 30th, 2009 at 9:27 am · Link
The only book to movie that I have ever liked was Stephen King’s IT.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:39 am · Link
I really like Bones. I loved the books too!
July 30th, 2009 at 9:39 am · Link
Not to be totally geeked-out or anything but… Harry Potter! 🙂
July 30th, 2009 at 9:41 am · Link
Harry Potter and True Blood
July 30th, 2009 at 9:59 am · Link
I’ve definitely been impressed by the transitions of Dexter and True Blood to tv. The book’s storylines were a launching pad, but the shows have definitely created their own worlds.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:05 am · Link
Usually I am disappointed by books turned into movies, but I enjoyed the 1st Harry Potter, The Princess Bride, Lord of the Rings, and Pride and Prejudice.
Surprisingly (and very rarely), I sometimes like the movie better than the book – the ending of The Notebook was perfect, and I think the True Blood HBO series is better than the book – so, far.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:05 am · Link
i started true blood via the series and then went to the books. liked the books much better. usually i won’t watch a movie until i’ve read the book, but in this case (i must have been living under a rock), i hadn’t heard of the books. i also never heard of the vampire diaries before today. (((furiously updating TBB list))).
hmm, i’d forgotten about the princess bride, but that was one of the best. still not as good as the book. the other boleyn girls movie was so much worse than the book! but the tudors on showtime was awesome! i know it’s not directly made from the book, but i think the book’s popularity helped bring it to the little screen.
ok, my fav has to be brokeback mountain. great story, awesome book. (ah heath, we lost you too young).
Congrats on release day Lauren, it must feel so great that it’s almost here! And thanks for the excerpt and the contest!
~bella
July 30th, 2009 at 10:16 am · Link
Lord of the Rings because usually a good book gets messed up when they do the movie.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:18 am · Link
pirates of the Caribbean favorite movie.
firefly is favorite tv series
July 30th, 2009 at 10:19 am · Link
I’d have to say Lord of the Rings as the books were so long and descriptive yet the films captured the feel of them completely.
In one respect I’m hoping they do The Book Thief, but in another, I’m not – it may get ruined.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:21 am · Link
favorite movie…. Batman the dark knight movie
series for tv hummm I gotta think here does Top Chef count as a tv series? cause I would say that…
July 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am · Link
Personally it would have to be the Bond films/books. They managed to keep it going for 34 years after all!
July 30th, 2009 at 10:24 am · Link
My favorite Book to Movie is the Joy Luck Club. I still sob whenever I read/watch it.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:31 am · Link
My favorite book to movie is the most recent version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and a close second is THE NOTEBOOK. 🙂
I just love the cover to LAID BARE. Gives me tingling shivers when I see her tat on her back…so pretty. Great excerpt and thanks for sharing your books!! 😉
July 30th, 2009 at 10:36 am · Link
One of my favorite book to movies is Last of the Mohicans.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:38 am · Link
For me, I am going to be completely random here, and say Foxfire – I loved the book, Joyce Carol Oates is a favorite, but AJ just brought Legs to life for me.
I think the other movie that I actually love more than the book, (not to take anything away from the author-Palahniuk’s warped genius is astounding!) Fight Club. I might be biased about that one though since I adore Edward Norton.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:38 am · Link
the twilight series..
July 30th, 2009 at 10:41 am · Link
I like “Pride & Prejudice” and “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
July 30th, 2009 at 10:45 am · Link
My choice is The Lake House by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge. The movie starred Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. I just loved it!
July 30th, 2009 at 10:48 am · Link
Thanks for sharing more of Todd!
I loved OUTSIDER from Penelope Williamson’s historical romance that was made into the movie. So beautiful! It really too did it great without changing it. It was with Tim Daly and Naomi Watts. Its one of the best! Its a western historical romance movie so its got it all! I have it on DVD and watched it like 3 times already!
July 30th, 2009 at 10:48 am · Link
I would have to say Gone With The Wind, Centennial and Lonesome Dove. Just recently, Nora Roberts books have been made into some good movies.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:52 am · Link
The Princess Bride (although I think it’s the first movie that made me then read the book).
July 30th, 2009 at 10:54 am · Link
Normally I don’t like book to movie or TV series, because they never seem to do the book justice, but I have to say one of the ones that I love just as much if not better was the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. I can watch that one and never get tired of it. I think the script really got the feel of the book perfectly and the actors that portrayed Darcy and Elizabeth could not have been better.
I wish all book to movie translations could be as good.
As for the cover it is one of my favs so far this year!
July 30th, 2009 at 11:03 am · Link
Sorry – I forgot “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Amazing book & move.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:04 am · Link
My favorite books-to-movies: Princess Bride
and To Kill A Mockingbird!
Pat Cochran
July 30th, 2009 at 11:09 am · Link
My favorite book to movie is The Notebook!
July 30th, 2009 at 11:09 am · Link
Favorite books to movies are Interview With A Vampire, Como Agua Para Chocolate, Feast of All Saints, Beloved, The Color Purple & Wide Sargasso Sea.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:10 am · Link
My favorite book to movie series would be “Lord of the Rings” and “Pride and Prejudice”.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:26 am · Link
I would rather sit and read a book than watch a movie or TV series so I haven’t got a favourite. Though I did enjoy Lord OF The Rings once my family persuaded me to watch it 😀
Oh one more thing – I looooove that cover 😀
July 30th, 2009 at 11:38 am · Link
Hi Lauren, I guess right now, my fave book turned to series/movie would be “True Blood”. Other faves are; Lord of The Rings, Lonesome Dove, The Thornbirds, North and South, Roots, Twilight, Blood Ties, Bones, to name just a few!
July 30th, 2009 at 11:44 am · Link
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was definitely the best book series made into movies. I liked the movies much more than the books, which is mighty unusual.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:51 am · Link
I loved Blood Ties series/books by Tanya Huff, True Blood – Charlaine Harris, Twlight was ok. I am interested to see how the House of Night Series by PC and Kristin Cast turns out or the LKH ones.
Harry Potter is ok. I like some movies better than others (hated the last one) but they are pretty close to the books.
The worst ever book to movie I think I’ve seen is Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews. They changed so much in that movie so it would be appropriate for tv/movies, it was simply horrible.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:54 am · Link
I love too many series to choose a single favorite. It is between the Anita Blake series, the Merry Gentry series, the Dark-Hunter series, the Midnight Breed series, and so many more that I can’t pick from.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:55 am · Link
love the notebook
so very good
and bridget jones diary
congrats n the book
looks great 😎 😀
July 30th, 2009 at 11:57 am · Link
My favorite TV series at the moment are The Office reruns on TBS. I love the early days when Jim and Pam are first falling in love. Sigh…gotta love that.
😉 VFG
July 30th, 2009 at 12:06 pm · Link
I would have to say The Lord of the Rings.
lexeetoste at sbcglobal.net
July 30th, 2009 at 12:30 pm · Link
OH, PLEASE I hope someone else knows what I am talking about….Back in the early 1990s, Masterpiece Theater played an adaptation of Mary Webb’s “Precious Bane” with Janet McTeer (and Clive Owen). It was absolutely amazing and I was a poor student with no VCR. I had read the book for a course and liked it, but OMG, the movie was stunning. Of course, it is not available on VHS or DVD, but it was so memorable. sigh……
Oh, and the BBC has Shakespeare Re-Told and one of the films is “Taming of the Shrew” set in a modern political circle – starring the fabulous Rufus Sewell as a sexy, skirt and make-up wearing Petruchio.
July 30th, 2009 at 12:40 pm · Link
Hmm, for a book to tv show would be True Blood.I’m so addicted to that show!
As for book to tv movie….Maybe Twilight? I know it could have been done better, but I loved the book so much I can’t help but love the movie!
I love the book cover! Very creative!
July 30th, 2009 at 12:40 pm · Link
True Blood, and The Green Mile. I love The Green Mile.
July 30th, 2009 at 12:46 pm · Link
Mostly I hate book to tv/movie because they can never match what I have already imagined.
The exception to this is the Bourne trilogy of movies. I HATED the books, absolutely could not stand them. I am however, more than happy with all 3 movies
July 30th, 2009 at 12:46 pm · Link
I rarely like a movie made from a book. ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ is one that I can watch without getting too fidgety.
July 30th, 2009 at 12:53 pm · Link
I think I will have to go with Twilight. or maybe the Bourne series.
July 30th, 2009 at 1:33 pm · Link
Some of my favorites: Roots was a great series adaptation, Gone With The Wind is a beautiful classic, And I loved all Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan books that were made into movies.
July 30th, 2009 at 1:44 pm · Link
Hi 🙂
I loved the excerpt for LAID BARE.
🙂
I enjoyed The Dresden Files books ->Series
Likewise Sookie Books ->True Blood
Also Tanya Huff’s Blood books -> Blood Ties
And Tolkien’s Lord of The Rings -> movies
And Darkly Dreaming books -> Dexter series
The Stand -> The Stand mini-series
Salem’s Lot -> ‘Salem’s Lot mini-series
MOST of Stephen King’s works -> TV/Movies
John Grisham’s books -> Movies
The Black Stallion book -> movie
Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001 -> movie
🙂
Thanks for the fun question.
twitter.com/RKCharron
xoxo
July 30th, 2009 at 1:55 pm · Link
My favorites are The Client, Sleeping With The Enemy, Bones and The Lake House and The Closer to name A few.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:18 pm · Link
The first one that comes to mind is John Jakes’ NORTH AND SOUTH. I thought the production was lush and the casting excellent. Usually, I don’t like the television adaptation or the movie. I get lost in a book and picture the scenes in my mind—and feel them in my heart and elsewhere, depending on the story 😉 — and although I don’t necessarily “cast” them in my mind, I do have an image of a character. Some movie adaptations have been very good (most of the HARRY POTTERs), others not so much (RELIC–excellent book, so-so movie if you read the book, but a better movie if you haven’t).
July 30th, 2009 at 3:23 pm · Link
Gone With The Wind: I love the book but the movie is exceptional. This is a such a favorite of mine.
July 30th, 2009 at 3:31 pm · Link
Twilight or Lord of the Rings