Simply Wicked comes out on October 1st (ARe, B&N, Smashwords) but is now available for pre-order at amazon.com. Though this is a reissue of a book originally released in 2008, this is a big deal for me because I’ve re-written quite a bit of it. Because I’m so excited about the re-release I’m having a contest befitting such a momentous occasion!

Need to Know:

Simply Wicked comes out October 1st. Pre-orders are available now.

Grand Prize consists of a $100 amazon gift card and a free copy of my e-book, You are Mine valued at $3.99 from my Friends and Lovers Series. One winner will be selected randomly from a group that answers four questions correctly by 5 p.m. CST October 10th 20th.

The second prize consists of a $50 amazon gift card and a free copy of You are Mine valued at $3.99. The single winner here will be chosen randomly from a group that answers the four questions correctly by 5 p.m. CST October 20th 25th.

The four questions:

• Who produced and wrote the movie Cassie stars in during the book?
• What does Tony do to try to woo his company’s oldest leaders over to his way of thinking?
• Who goes on trips at least twice with Cassie so she doesn’t have to be alone?
• Who do they discover is the murderer, and what is the nickname the press has given him?

Email your answers to me at lisa@lisagriley.com by 5 p.m. CST October 20th to enter into the random drawing for the Grand Prize (valued at $103.99) and by 5 p.m. CST October 25th to enter into the random drawing for the second prize (valued at $53.99).

You must be 18 years or older to enter this contest. No purchase necessary. Contest only open to citizens of the United States.The number of eligible entries received determine the odds of winning. One winner will be selected for each prize. Both the grand prize and second prize will be awarded on October 26th by 10 a.m. CST. Winners will be notified via email.Gift card will be delivered via email. The e-book You are Mine, will be delivered to the winners via email. Winners will have the choice of mobi, epub and PDF formats. Winners will have three days (by October 29th, 10 a.m. CST) to claim their prizes. If potential prize winners forfeit or do not claim their prizes, prizes will be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. This contest is being sponsored by Lisa G. Riley. All questions should be directed to lisa@lisagriley.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Simply Wicked Excerpt
© 2008/2014 by Lisa G. Riley

“Well, I’m in love, truly in love,” Cassidy said this with another sad sigh. She quickly ducked her head when Tony suddenly raised his head to look at her from directly across the dinner table.

“But that’s wonderful,” Lady Carleton said.

“Well, yes, it should be. I feel good about it, but he doesn’t want me to. He’s avoiding me.”

“I’m sorry to say it, darling, but perhaps your young man doesn’t feel as deeply for you as you do for him.”

“I know he’s attracted to me, but he’s fighting it. He feels that I’m too young for him.” She ignored Esme’s stifled snort of laughter and continued, “He’s being stubborn. We have a great rapport, we’re on the same wavelength on so many issues and our attraction burns really strong and fierce. I just know that we’d have a great relationship if he’d only give us a chance. I’ve been here for two months and he’s done nothing to take advantage of that fact.”

“Oh, so you knew him before moving here?”

“Is he English?” This came from Lord Carleton whose face was mottled with embarrassment while his eyes showed helpless curiosity.

“Oh, yes, he’s a very proper Englishman. It’s one of the things I absolutely adore about him, that and his intelligence, witty sense of humor and gorgeous physical appearance.” Again, Cassidy ignored Esme’s snort, which managed to sound both disbelieving and snide. She also ignored Tony’s determined gaze that warned her to knock it off. “What do you think, Lady C.? Should age matter?”

“Oh, no, not really. I’m not one for pedophilia of course, but I do feel that it’s hard enough to find love and when one does, the little things shouldn’t matter all that much.”

“That’s just how I feel,” Cassidy said passionately. “But he won’t listen to reason.”

“Well, just how much older is he than you, child?” Lord Carleton asked.

“A measly fourteen years; that’s all,” Cassidy said and sniffled as if holding back tears. “I didn’t know love could hurt so much.”

“Oh, I am sorry,” Lady Carleton said. “Perhaps your young man will come ‘round to your way of thinking.”

“Yes,” Lord Carleton agreed. “If he’s as smart as you say he is, he’ll at least give it a chance. Do we know him? Who is he?”

“Tony,” Cassidy said.

Not yet making the connection, Lady Carleton took a sip of coffee before saying, “What about Tony, dear?”

“I’m in love with him.”

Lady Carleton’s head jerked up to look from Tony to Cassidy, from Cassidy to Tony and back again to repeat the process.

“Surely you’re joking?”

“No,” Cassidy said with a definite shake of her head. “I’m not. I’m in love with Tony.”

Lady Carleton stared at Cassidy in stunned silence for a long moment. “Why, whatever for, dear?”

Into the deafening silence came Esme’s raucous laughter and from Tony in a disgusted voice, “Thanks loads, Mother, for that ringing endorsement,” which only made Esme laugh harder.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Tony,” Lady Carleton began, before snapping, after a particularly loud guffaw from Esme, “Oh do be quiet, Esme!”

Cassidy let the room quiet before saying, “In answer to your question, I’m in love with Tony because he’s a wonderful man. And as I said, the attraction between us is explosive. I have the most wicked thoughts —”

Tony interrupted with a screech of his chair as he pushed it back to stand. “That’s enough!” As she’d spoken, her face had taken on a look of deep passion and her voice had gone soft and husky. Next she’d be blurting out that they’d nearly made love. He walked around to her side of the table and pulled out her chair. “Come on!” Barely giving her time to stand, he grabbed her hand.

“But Tony,” Cassidy protested.

“No buts! Let’s go! Please excuse us,” he said over his shoulder as he dragged her from the room while everyone looked on in astonishment.

***

Tony pulled Cassidy into the library and shut the door behind them. “Sit,” he commanded with a frown and before she could think about it, Cassidy did, quickly sitting on a cream-colored leather sofa in the middle of the room. When she realized that she had, she frowned and began to stand again… until she got a good look at his face.

“Don’t even think about moving from that spot,” he warned in a low dangerous voice as he paced away from her.

Swallowing hard, Cassidy sat back down. She’d never seen him quite so angry.

Tony snorted in disbelief. “I don’t believe it! For once, you’re actually going to listen to me?”

Cassidy frowned. “There’s no need to be such a jerk—”

“I’ll bloody be what I want to be, if you don’t mind!” Tony said. “Settle down and listen to me! That’s better,” he said when she very deliberately clamped her lips together. “Now,” he said as he began to pace back and forth in front of her. “For the past several years you have done nothing but make my life a living hell, especially when you got it into that beautiful head of yours that we were meant to be together. You’ve tortured me endlessly and it’s got to stop. Are we clear?” He demanded.

“Hmmph,” Cassie said with a pout. “Whatever.”
# # #

Amazon

ARe (available in several formats, including PDF for reading on computers)

B&N

Smashwords (available in several formats, including PDF for reading on computers)