Greetings From Author Anna James

Good Morning Coffee Time Friends,

 

Happy Saturday!  I am Anna James, author of contemporary romance stories that allow women of all ages to get lost in a world filled with passion, drama and romance. I invite you to grab your favorite cup of coffee and come chat with me today. I’ll be here all day to answer your questions.

Now for a little bit about me and my books…

I was born in Connecticut and lived there until I was nine years old. My family and I spent the next eleven years living in Williamsville, a suburb just outside of Buffalo, NY. I returned to Connecticut after receiving my associates degree in Engineering Science and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hartford. I started my writing career years ago when my children were small but found it difficult to dedicate the time required to really make a success of it. Now that my children are older I have the time to dedicate to my passion. My first book, entitled Isabella’s Dilemma, was released from Sugar and Spice Press in July 2010 (click here to read the review from Coffee Time Romance and More). Christmas Collectibles (my story was A Picture Perfect Christmas) was released next from Melange Books for the Christmas 2010 season followed by Guilty As Charged – Book 1 in the Bradford Sisters Trilogy which was released April 16, 2011 from Sugar and Spice Press. Coming Home was just released on April 23, 2011 from Melange Books. I continue to live in Connecticut with my husband and children. I am a romantic at heart and enjoy reading and writing romance novels.

About my stories…

My goal has always been to create heroines that have strength, determination and persistence and spirit. They will fight to overcome adversity, are romantics at heart and believe that love triumphs overall odds.

My heroes are sensual, charismatic, successful and strong. They are passionate about the heroine (although may not show it right away) and about life.

I always try to make my characters loveable, passionate and real enough to linger long after a reader has finished the story.

Here are some tastes from each of my available books to whet you appetite:

Isabella’s Dilemma

 

 

 

 

 

Isabella Sheridan has a big problem and his name is Jake McAllister! Jake is now Isabella’s business partner. To make matters worse he owns more of the Sheridan Advertising Agency than she does. He is difficult to work with, has a hostile attitude toward her and makes business decisions without consulting her. So why does she respond with so much passion when he kisses her?

Jake McAllister does not like Isabella Sheridan. As far as he’s concerned she’s shallow and without moral values, both in her personal and professional life. So why is he so attracted to her? You’d think he’d know better based on past experience. And why, after just one passionate kiss, is he ready to give her the benefit of the doubt and become involved?

Will Jake and Isabella resolve their differences and find love or will past perceptions be too much to overcome?

Here is an excerpt from the book to peak your interest:

Amy glared at her and she glared back, a mutinous look on her face. You wouldn’t look at me that way if you knew what he thought of me, she told her cousin silently. He’s a lousy rat! How dare he think so badly of her? And she never would have known if she hadn’t overheard a conversation he was having in his office one day. As a matter of fact, it was that conversation that had made her finally decide to leave the agency altogether. Well, it hadn’t been her only reason for leaving, she conceded wryly, but it was the final straw as far as she was concerned. He actually thought she was sleeping with their clients! She still couldn’t believe it. Had he always thought so little of her?

Her mind drifted back to the first time she’d met him. It had been at a Christmas party. Her father threw one every year for his employees. In addition to the advertising agency, her father had numerous other business interests. Jake had been there as a representative from one of them. She’d been eighteen on that occasion and had just started her first year at college. He’d been introduced to her as one of her father’s protégés; a financial wizard with a reputation of a man that got the job done””no matter what. He was the person her father was counting on to turn around his latest acquisition. There had been something about him, even back then, that had affected her on the most basic level, she admitted now. But, to him, she’d meant nothing. She had been merely someone to be polite to if he wanted to get ahead in her father’s organization. She hadn’t seen much of him since then, until recently, as he had never been involved with the advertising agency in the past. He was now, though, and she still didn’t know why. Compared to his responsibilities within the rest of Sheridan Industries, running the advertising agency was small peanuts.

But they were business partners now it seemed. It was a shock finding out that Jake not only worked for her father, but, was actually his business partner; owning a significant chunk of stock in the agency as well as the rest of the business empire. Which was why he was able to force me out in the first place, she thought angrily. He didn’t force you out, a little voice inside her taunted. You left of your own accord. “He’s an extraordinary man,” her father used to say. “Not only in the business sense but personally as well.” Maybe you thought so, Dad, but I certainly don’t!

“Care to dance?”

Isabella looked up with a start. She had been so preoccupied with her memories that she hadn’t realized anyone was talking to her. “I’m sorry. What was that?” She looked around her nervously. “And where are Amy and Nick?”

“On the dance floor,” Jake replied dryly, his eyes leading hers to where their figures were swaying together in time to the music.

“Which is why I asked if you’d like to dance.”

“With you?” she mocked. “Why don’t you ask your lady friend? I’m sure she’d be more than happy to join you.”

“Why Isabella, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were jealous.”

Her eyebrows arched. You’ve got to be kidding, she thought derisively, and was about to say just that when a thought occurred to her. Her lips curved mischievously. “Why, Jake, I’d love to dance. I thought you’d never ask,” she replied sweetly, and standing, led the way on to the dance floor.
If Jake was surprised he didn’t show it. He simply took her in his arms and they began to sway in time to the music. A tingling sensation ran down Isabella’s spine when his hand came in contact with her back. It felt””No! She dismissed that thought right from her head.

“Isabella, I’d like to talk to you about something,” he began. “It’s about Sheridans.”

The sensual sound of his voice washed over her and she leaned in closer to him. “I’m listening.”

If he noticed anything different about her behavior, he didn’t let on. “Yes, I’d like”””

She inhaled deeply and let her hand glide up his arm and come to rest on his shoulder, pressing her body against his lean frame. “What is that cologne you’re wearing?” she asked breathlessly. “It smells wonderful.” When her head came to rest on his chest, his whole body tightened in response.

“Isabella,” he grated through clenched teeth. “I don’t know what you’re playing at, but I’m warning you”¦”

She looked up at him, her blue eyes wide and luminous, and her lips parted and kissably soft. “Jake,” she whispered breathlessly.

“Isabella,” he warned again.

This really was quite intoxicating, she acknowledged somewhere in the far reaches of her brain. She could easily”¦ Don’t blow it now, she told herself sternly. In a few seconds you can toss him a dirty look and tell him exactly what you think of him!

Without warning his lips crushed hers in a passionate kiss. It took her totally by surprise and shocked her to her very core. Which is why she began kissing him back with a hunger that not only matched his””it surpassed it! My God! I’ve never been kissed like this in my whole life, she thought dazedly. Had never responded to a man like this, ever. She could feel the blood as it raced through her veins; hear it roaring in her ears. Her heart beat wildly. She was on fire with desire. Helplessly she clung to him. She couldn’t think; didn’t want to think, only feel”¦

Reality set in. This isn’t supposed to be happening, she thought frantically. She’d just wanted to teach him a lesson, for goodness sakes. Yet here she was practically devouring the man. Oh God! She didn’t even like Jake McAllister. She couldn’t possibly want him”¦could she? No! She ripped herself free from his embrace. “What do you think you are doing?” she asked in an anguished voice. What had happened to her just now? She had lost complete control of the situation. Jake had kissed her, but her reaction to that kiss””to him”” Panic set in and she turned and fled the dance floor without waiting for his response.

He raced after her and caught up with her on the street outside. Grasping her shoulder, he whirled her around to face him.

Guilty As Charged – Book 1 Bradford Sisters Trilogy

 

 

 

 

 

Passion ignites between Nicole Bradford and Max Paradis the second they lay eyes on each another. Nicole seems to be everything that Max is looking for in a woman. She’s sweet and loving and incredibly sexy. But looks can be deceiving. Hadn’t he learned that the hard way?

Nicole is crazy for Max. He is sensitive, caring and his kisses are to die for. But when secrets from her past are revealed will she be found innocent or is she Guilty as Charged?

Book Excerpt:

Nicole put down the file she was reading and rubbed her bleary eyes. She hadn’t gotten off work until two o’clock this morning and it had been another hour after that before she’d gotten home and crawled into bed.

As she’d expected, Natalie hadn’t come home last evening. There was a message on the machine saying that she was spending the night at Reed’s place and that she had big news to share with the family in the morning.

She hadn’t been able to sleep right away so it had been almost four o’clock before her eyes finally closed. She woke at ten and remembered the work she had to do at the office. After showering, she dressed quickly then left a note for Katie and headed off to work.

There’s no one here, she noted as she got out of the car and made her way to the lobby door, although she hadn’t really expected anyone to be. She held her employee badge to the scanner. There was a buzzing sound and a click indicating the door was now unlocked. After retrieving the files from her office, she went to the conference room. There was a large table in there, which had plenty of room for her to spread out the information she needed to look at.

Several hours passed by and her stomach began to growl. It’s one-thirty now, she noted after a quick glance at her watch. It’s time for something to eat. Standing, she stretched from side to side, then walked down the hall to get the lunch she’d thrown together hastily before leaving this morning. A piece of leftover lasagna from Thursday’s dinner and the rest of the salad they’d had. She stopped at the microwave to heat the lasagna, then went back to the conference room to eat. Her eyes rounded when she noticed someone sitting at the table, his back facing her.

“Excuse me, can I help you?” The man turned around and gave her a brilliant smile. She frowned. “M-Max? But how? I thought you were out of the country?”

“Not any more,” he drawled.

She had recognized him from the picture in Reed’s office, but he probably had no idea who she was. “I’m sorry, I’m N”””

Rising to his feet he said, “I know who you are. Reed told me all about you on the phone last night. But how did you recognize me? We’ve never met.”

Nicole blushed. “Oh, um, I’ve seen pictures””on Reed’s desk.”

“I see.”

“I don’t understand what you’re doing here. I thought you were calling from Saudi Arabia last night?”

“I was on the plane heading home, actually. When Reed told me about the engagement, I told him I would meet you here today.”

“But why? I don’t understand. Reed never said anything.”

He walked slowly to where she was standing, never once dropping his gaze from her. “You know, my brother didn’t do you justice when he described you. You’re not just beautiful””you’re gorgeous.”

Her eyes widened in astonishment. She didn’t quite know how to respond to a statement like that. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. She lowered her lashes and murmured hesitantly, “Thank you.”

She had always thought that Max was good-looking, but to see him in person, he was spectacular. He was taller than Reed””who was just under six feet””by about three or four inches. His eyes were a deep blue and mesmerizing, which drew her eyes back to his. His hair was thick, luxuriant and midnight black. She itched to run her fingers through it.

He tucked a stray lock of her own rich, chestnut hair behind her ear. The small gesture made her realize just how close he was to her; close enough that she could smell a hint of the expensive cologne he was wearing. She inhaled deeply. His head lowered to hers. He’s going to kiss me, she acknowledged inwardly. And I’m not going to try and stop him because I want him to. From the first moment she’d seen him in the picture on Reed’s desk, she’d wondered what it would be like to be kissed by him. His lips met hers and she closed her eyes and gave herself up to pure bliss. She lifted her arms around his neck and he pulled her closer. He’s an incredible kisser, she acknowledged dizzily, and that was the last coherent thought she had as he deepened the kiss.

Coming Home

Two years ago, Christine Kincaid found her sister, Andrea, in the arms of her fiancé, James Buchanan.  This after Andrea confessed to having an affair with James and being pregnant with his child. Distraught and wanting to escape the pain of James ‘s betrayal, Christine fled her home, just outside of Washington D.C., to London, England, her birthplace.

As startling details of her parents’ tragic romance come to light, Christine now suspects she was deceived by Andrea and is determined to return home and win James back.  Only James seems to hate her now. She’d known that it wouldn’t be easy. She’d hurt him deeply by leaving. But she believed that somehow he’d forgive her and they would finally be together. Why did he have such a bad opinion of her? And what was she going to do to make him see that he was wrong?

James Buchanan was devastated when his fiancée deserted him. He had thought they would be together forever.  But he’d been wrong. Christine didn’t care about him. She didn’t care about anyone but herself. If she had, she’d never have left him to pursue her career.  But what really bothered him was how he’d been so wrong about her.  Christine had been sweet and loving to him, but the way she treated her sister was just awful. Andrea, who was alone and pregnant, had needed Christine’s love, understanding and support.  All Christine could do was condemn her for her mistakes and leave her to fend for herself.  How could he have ever loved someone who could treat her own sister that way? And what was he going to do now that she was back?

Prologue

The night security man greeted her warmly as Christine entered the building. She felt a pang of regret for not even acknowledging the man as she rushed past him on her way toward the row of elevators located at the far end of the lobby. She stabbed the call button and waited anxiously for the elevator to arrive. I need to speak to James now. I need him to reassure me that things Andrea said today are not true. James loves you, she told herself fiercely. Andrea is lying. She has to be.

All right, so things aren’t that great between us right now, she acknowledged ruefully. They haven’t been for a while. Not since that horrible argument between us after his trip to California. There’s so much tension when we’re together and James is so distant, downright cold at times. We haven’t made love in weeks, her mind tormented further. It doesn’t mean he’s in love with Andrea, she denied furiously.

The elevator arrived and she stepped in. As it moved upward her mind drifted back to the conversation she’d had with Andrea, her sister, earlier that day. `He loves me now. You had your chance but you were too focused on your career”¦ James is a fabulous lover. He made passionate love to me when we were at that conference in California, hecouldn’t help himself,’ she had delighted in saying. “James is the father of my baby’.

No! Her mind screamed again in denial. Until you hear it straight from James you can’t believe anything she says. You know she would do anything to split us up.

The elevator car stopped and the doors opened on the top floor. Christine took a deep breath and stepped out. James’s office was just down the hall to the left.

She could hear muffled sounds coming from his office as she approached and paused just before she reached the door. Who was in there with him at this time of night? It was late; well after ten o’clock.

“Its okay, Andrea. Don’t worry. Everything is going to be okay,” he said.

Christine stepped into the open doorway and froze in horror. Andrea was in James’ arms, sobbing. He was holding her””so close””she acknowledged painfully as tears welled in her eyes.

“I am not going to let you go through this alone. I’ll be there for you every step of the way. You can count on me, Andrea. I promise.”

“What about Christine?” Andrea cried.

“I will deal with Christine,” James said with chilling finality, and then lifted Andrea’s head from where it rested on his chest and gave her a gentle kiss. “I promise, Andrea. I will be there for you. I won’t let you down.”

Christine gasped. James looked up. Their eyes collided and Christine knew the truth. She turned and ran as if all the demons of hell were chasing her.

Christmas Collectibles featuring A Picture Perfect Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

A Picture Perfect Christmas

It’s Christmas time in New York and the city is alive with holiday cheer. Carly Monroe could use a little cheerfulness in her life after the year she’s just had. Her husband cheated on her, gambled away their life’s savings and was indicted for embezzling millions from the company they both worked for. She’s lost her job and her friends. Her confidence is at an all time low. That’s why she is reluctant to give in to her feelings for old friend Trent Mackenzie.

Trent Mackenzie is instantly attracted to the gorgeous, sexy woman he sees at the Architecture Awards ceremony he is attending. He is shocked when he realizes that woman is Carly Monroe, an old friend.

Will the Christmas holiday work it’s magic and convince Carly that her feelings for Trent are real and lasting or will the doubt and betrayal of the past prevail?

Click here to read more from the other authors of this book.

 

What’s new…

I have just received a contract from Sugar and Spice press for my new erotic, contemporary, paranormal romance novella entitled Visons. Here is a excerpt from the book to spark your interest:

Sweat trickled down the sides of her face. Her eyes were huge with fear and tremors racked her body. “No! Please don’t.” Prudence Bailey could hear the terror in the woman’s voice as she begged for her life. Someone came toward the woman; he was holding a knife. Or was it a she? Pru couldn’t tell from this angle. She saw the woman’s arms shoot up to try and ward off her attacker. It was a futile attempt. He overpowered her easily. Then it happened. The knife plunged deep into her chest. The screams were terrifying. She saw the woman crumple but it wasn’t over. The knife plunged into the woman again and again. Finally, the screaming stopped.

Pru shot straight up in bed. She too was drenched with sweat and her body shook with fear. This was the third night this week that she’d had the nightmare. It was the same each time. She pulled the blankets aside and got out of bed. Why is this happening to me? she wondered as she went down the stairs to double check that the windows and doors were locked. She didn’t know but she was sure as hell going to find out.

Here’s what you can look forwar to from me in the next six months:

Visions – Coming Soon from Sugar and Spice Press

To Love and Trust Again – Available from Melange Books January 2011

 

What I’m Working on Now:

Right now I am working on Shattered Dreams – Book 2 in the Bradford Sisters Trilogy. Here is a taste of the story to whet your appetite:

Natalie and Reed seemed so happy when they got married just a few short months ago. But an unexpected pregnancy and a subsequent miscarriage throw their marriage into turmoil.

Natalie deals with the loss by burying herself in work. Reed is supportive but doesn’t understand why she is spending so much after-hours time with her handsome, sexy boss. And what about their dream of having a family? How can that happen when with each passing day Natalie becomes more distant?

Will Reed and Natalie find a way to work things out or will all their dreams be shattered?

 

Where to find me:

Visit me at: http://annajames1.wordpress.com/
Visit me at: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001402819536

 

Please feel free to comment or ask questions. I’d be happy to answer them!

 

Happy Reading!