PERFECT HOMECOMING by Sandra Sookoo

PERFECT HOMECOMING by Sandra Sookoo

Sometimes the future meets us when we’re not looking.

Andrew Grabel is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air and Space Force. It's tradition for his family, so is never being home for Christmas. Though he longs to celebrate the holiday with all its feel good nostalgia, the reality of space travel doesn't make that possible. Neither does an R and R stint on a far-flung space station since Christmas is unique to Earthlings.

Mira Nisirian is on Epsilon station for one reason only—to steal anything of value then get out for her next destination. She's a thief and a criminal, and though she might dream of fitting in with Earth people and their culture, nothing can erase her Neptune origins or her real alien form. Choosing Andrew as her first victim is her first mistake...

...falling for him is the next. What's more, Andrew's constant talk of Christmas fascinates Mira. She covets the home she sees in his eyes. Andrew's future outlook is shaken as he finds himself trying to convince her the Earth holiday is a state of mind, but Mira's compulsion to share her truth might damage their budding relationship.

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

“Excuse me, ma’am, but I believe you neglected to pay for the items you took from the buffet.” He grabbed her wrist, his fingers easily encircling her arm.

Moss-green eyes flashed under a veil of midnight lashes. “Well then, you must have missed the pockets I picked along the way because I’m a much better thief than that.”

Shocked she didn’t attempt to deny the charges, he pulled her behind the display boards. No sense in calling attention to themselves. Even a criminal deserved a bit of privacy. It was Christmas, after all, and he should show some goodwill. “I don’t think you understand. I have no patience for criminals.”
He held up her hand. The loose-flowing sleeve fell to her elbow and revealed the tracking bracelet.
“Are you out on parole, or did you escape from a prison colony?”

A wash of faint pink color stained her pale cheeks as she attempted to wrench from his grasp. He tightened his hold. Her lips parted, the lower one slightly fuller. “Neither. Let’s just say I bartered my way out and leave it at that. Everyone involved has been properly compensated.” A hint of an indefinable accent flowed through her speech. Andrew stared at the bracelet. None of the tiny lights were illuminated, and scratches marred the surface as if she’d tried to pry it from her wrist. “You disabled it.”

“Surprised?” She neither confirmed nor denied his statement.

“No.”

“You should be. Not everyone can do that without the proper tools at her disposal.” Again, she tried to get away. Andrew didn’t budge. She lifted an eyebrow. “However, my problem is removing the damn thing. It’s apparently beyond my limited skills…unless you’d like to help me with that tiny little problem, handsome?” The blatant invitation in her voice competed with the high wattage of her smile.

“Absolutely not.” He held her gaze, fascinated by the play of shadows in her spectacular eyes. A lifetime of secrets resided there. His curious nature surged to the forefront. Would she give them up if he kissed her? Shaking his head in an attempt to banish the absurd thought, he said, “Your next stop is prison.” He had zero time to try and fix her problems when he couldn’t manage his own.

“Actually, my next stop is an outbound freighter that leaves tomorrow morning.” One of her feathery, arched eyebrows rose. “Release me. I have business at the other end of the station.” A tug accompanied the request, as did a glint in her eyes.

“I’ll bet you do.” Andrew didn’t know if he was more disappointed that she might be a prostitute or that his interest in her hadn’t waned following the thought. “I’ll bet trouble follows you around.” He didn’t want to get involved, did he?

“It might.” She cocked her head. “Does it matter?”

“I’m not sure, but here’s how I see it.” He pulled her against him and slid his free hand along her spine to her waist. Her silky hair brushed his skin and sent electric impulses up his arm. The warmth of her body seeped into his hands while her scent invaded his nostrils and scrambled his brain. She smelled faintly of vanilla, pears, and the subtle sweetness only a woman had. His stomach rumbled as his cock hardened.

She tipped her head backward, still holding his gaze. “I’m waiting.” Her lips parted with a sly smile and revealed even, white teeth. “Do you have a different proposition for me?”

Damn. The woman’s a dangerous mix of sex and sin. She’ll be trouble. Did that mean he wanted to take her on during his layover? His heartbeat accelerated.

Why not? It’d be good to have a new challenge.

“Since it’s Christmas, I’m willing to overlook your crime if you promise you won’t rob anyone else while you’re on the station.” His heartbeat thundered in his ears. As though compelled, he pressed her softness against the harder planes of his body. “Is it a deal?” Andrew released the wrist he held hostage in favor of sliding his hands to her ass and pulling her even closer. She stood as tall as his shoulder, just the right height to tuck under his chin or wrap in his arms.

Surprise and something darker flickered in her eyes. “That depends on what you’re offering as an incentive.” She snaked a hand around his waist. The other slid up his chest to fiddle with the zipper pull of his flight suit. “Any ideas, because I can suggest a few.”

“No.” He swallowed but couldn’t force moisture into his dry throat. Every second he held her brought him near an edge he wasn’t sure he wanted to jump off. She obviously ran with a crowd opposite his, and she skirted the law with the ease of familiarity. He couldn’t align himself with such a person. That wasn’t who he was, yet the temptation of holiday companionship wouldn’t be denied.

“Let me help you out, handsome.” She tugged away, and with an expression of triumph held his slim, brown wallet in her right hand. A silver bracelet encircled that wrist, this one etched with markings and symbols he couldn’t read and was different than the prison cuff. “You take me to the bar, and I’ll return your wallet.” She waggled the bit of leather out of his reach. “I’ll even let you buy the drinks since you look like a traditional sort of guy.”

“And if I don’t?” Annoyed that she’d gotten close only to pick his pocket, Andrew took a step backward. He rubbed a hand over his hair. His gut churned with either excitement or unease; he couldn’t tell which.

Her shrug pulled the tunic tight over her breasts. “Your loss, but my guess is it’ll be difficult trying to pilot your ship without the proper identification or clearance tags, not to mention the paper money I’ll bet you have.” She shook the wallet. “All converted into intergalactic denominations, right?”

“Of course.” How else did she think commerce happened so far removed from Earth’s society? He lunged. She gave him a throaty laugh and retreated another step.

“Nice. Earthlings are always loaded, and they flaunt it.”

“You should know. Aren’t you from there?” The woman seemed as human as he did.

A shadow flickered across her face. She rubbed his wallet against her cheek. “Spend a couple of hours with me. I’m told I’m actually a pleasant person once you get to know me. How bad do you want it?”

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

TWO MR. RIGHTS by Sandra Sookoo

TWO MR. RIGHTS by Sandra Sookoo

If a girl can’t find one Mr. Right, is that because there are two?
Emily Anderson is ready for a change. Stuck with an unfulfilling job and a lousy love-life, she can't wait to do something daring for her birthday. When a friend sends her to an all-inclusive resort on the shores of Lake Michigan, Emily vows to have a little "me" time. She doesn't count on spending erotic moments with two men she's lusted after for years.

Jonathan Franklin has always carried a torch for Emily, but they'd only dated on and off. When the opportunity to introduce her into his ménage lifestyle arises, he doesn't waste any time. Chemistry between them flares, and he's thrilled that she accepts his friend Ben into their bed as well.

Ben Clarkson is Jon's business partner and closer-than-a-brother best friend. He's searching for the right woman for their ménage and wants to start a family. Having Emily in their midst heats his blood and brings the dreams closer to reality.

BUY THE eBOOK *** BUY IN KINDLE *** READ THE EXCERPT

EXCERPT:
Jonathan turned toward her and slid an arm along the back of the seat. His knee knocked into hers. Awareness slammed into her so strong, she felt it in her core. Good and familiar, but different this time. “You’re probably wondering why we came to pick you up instead of the car service handling things.”
“It crossed my mind.” She couldn’t help but stare at his lips. Man, she wanted to feel his kiss again more than she’d wanted anything before.
Ben’s chuckle filled the car. He pressed a button on his door, and a thick divider slid upward from the front seat, fitting snugly into a groove set in the ceiling. A soft click rang in the heavy silence. “We’re normally not this paranoid.” He met her gaze, his inscrutable. “Though we trust Michael implicitly, this conversation will go much smoother with privacy.”

She swallowed around the sudden lump in her throat. “Why do we need privacy?” Ohmygod, surely they aren’t planning on seducing me right here?
“Delicate subject matter.” Jonathan’s grin occupied her attention, as did the fact that Ben had also turned toward her and placed a hand on her left knee.
Heat shot up her leg. Moisture rushed between her thighs. If her body continued its reaction to these men, there’d be no doubt to any of them how turned on she was. And it wasn’t warranted. They were just being good hosts, right? Sure, because every guy hits on me the moment we meet. Ignore, ignore, ignore. “Um, what subject matter?” It’d be just her luck that they’d decide to kidnap her. She mentally kicked herself for giving up her purse so willingly.
“Has Lynda told you anything about the lifestyle Ben and I share?”
“She’s made a few hints, but told me I’d need to ask you if I was curious.” The words came out as a whisper as Ben inched his hand up her denim-clad leg and let his fingers drift between her thighs, mere inches from her crotch. The frantic need to be touched there made her squirm right before the common-sense part of her brain urged caution.
“Are you curious?” Jonathan stroked his fingers along her shoulder, tracing the neckline of her sweater.
“Yes.” Her response was a mere croak.
Jonathan nodded. “Ben and I learned long ago, probably during our senior year in high school, that we were as close as brothers, closer maybe, and we had to watch each other’s backs because of the things we believed in.”
“Believed in what?” Emily’s brain spun. Her pulse rushed in her ears. Stuff like this doesn’t happen to me. Then she remembered she was supposed to be making a fresh start. She relaxed a tiny bit.
Ben’s smile bordered on devilish. “Since I was an only child and my parents died in a car accident my junior year, I was pretty much on my own. I spent a great deal of time hanging around Jon. For a guy who came from a rough side of Chicago, meeting someone like Jon showed me a whole new way of life.” His fingers brushed against the seam of her jeans, and she sat up straighter. Old-fashioned lust tingled in all the right places.
“I can understand that. When I met Lynda we hit it off, though we’re worlds apart in a lot of life’s aspects.” She tried to imagine the refined Ben in a rough situation but failed.
“He became my surrogate brother, the one person I relied on no matter what. We were inseparable through college.” Ben’s eyes shone. “In a way, I guess you could say he saved me.”
“Ben did the same to me. I was misunderstood in my own family.” Jonathan skimmed his fingers along her nape. Shivers followed. “We went on to go into business together.”
“Oh my God.” I get it! Emily pulled away from them both, her gaze bouncing between the two men. Everything made sense now. No wonder they were both so touchy-feely. “You’re gay? I had no idea. Lynda never mentioned it, but good for you.”
Both of them laughed. It was obviously a conversation they were familiar with.
“What’s funny?” Had she pissed them off? Exactly how long was this car ride?
“We’re not gay. We’re very much heterosexual men.” Jonathan tugged her back into place between them, his arm around her waist this time, while Ben pulled the elastic from her hair. Too bad she hadn’t had time to get the mop colored. “We never had much luck with the ladies until we decided to work together.”
“What does that mean? Like tag-team dating?” She had trouble breathing as Ben walked his fingers up the front of her sweater and worked the top couple buttons from their holes. She followed him, redoing his handiwork.
A smile pulled at the corners of his sensual lips. Laugh lines framed his mouth as he repeated unbuttoning the sweater. “Not exactly. You see, Jon is shy around women. I’m needed to break the ice and charm them—and run interference between him and his judgmental family.”
Pain flashed across Jonathan’s features, gone before she could ask about it. “Ben can be a jerk and too direct sometimes, so I hang around to smooth out his rough spots and soothe hurt feelings, not to mention provide moral support.” This time, it was Jonathan’s free hand that began a trip along her thigh.
“What are you trying to tell me?” She couldn’t think, could barely breathe under their dual assault. It was almost as if her wish for their attention had come true in a big way, and now she didn’t know what to do about it. Though she hadn’t had regular contact with either of them, being in their presence felt nice and all too easy to give in to. I need to know more. “Guys?” Her nipples tightened into hard buds that poked against her sweater, visible and not unnoticed by the men. They both peeked at her breasts.
“We prefer a ménage relationship.” Ben’s breath warmed her ear as he released a third button. “Alone, we’re not effective, broken, you could say, almost lacking. We have a difficult time letting a relationship go the distance for various reasons.”
Her sweater gaped open, showing the lacy cups of her bra. Emily redid the buttons, but gave up the cause when Ben batted her hands away and released them again.
“Once we figured out we worked better as a team than alone, all we needed was a woman who didn’t mind having two men instead of one. She gets dual halves of a whole, but double the pleasure.”
She pictured a distorted version of that old chewing gum commercial. “But…” She met first Jonathan’s gaze, then Ben’s. Stark need and hope blazed in both. What had happened in their lives that made them so…desperate? “Is that why I’m here?” Her heartbeat thudded so hard she felt it in her temples. Sweat coated her palms, but she didn’t dare move. “I thought I was coming for a vacation, to relax and not have to worry about my life…” It all made sense now: Lynda’s reticence regarding the guys’ single status, her suggestion that the trip would be a big change.
Hello, understatement of the year!
Jonathan cupped her chin and looked into her face. “You can have that. All Ben and I are asking is that you keep an open mind about a possible relationship with us.” He drew the pad of his thumb along her lower lip.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

OFF THE LIST by Sandra Sookoo

OFF THE LIST by Sandra Sookoo

She wants off the Nice List. He owns the Naughty List. Christmas Eve has never been so sexy.

Jack, the outcast cousin of the Claus family, has one job within the Realm of Christmas. He's in charge of the Naughty List. Distributing coal, emptying stockings, returning gifts, that's his bag - but it does have its perks. Some of the women on the List wait up for him on December 24th and he makes sure to deck their halls with every visit.

Cadence Harris did everything right in her life. Played by the rules, dated the "good" boys, said the right things, worked at the right job. But this year for Christmas, she wants something entirely different. She wants off the Nice List and in a big way. Never in her wildest dreams can she imagine what's in store when Jack pays her an accidental visit.

The night will prove that Santa always delivers.

BUY THE eBOOK  ***  READ THE EXCERPT  *** WATCH THE TRAILER


EXCERPT:

“Oh, hell no.” Jack Claus shook paper confetti out of his hair as the celebration raged around him. Countless elves and the few humans allowed into the North Pole compound congratulated his pudgy cousin Kris Claus on his recent promotion—the one Jack wanted. “The bastard did it to me again.”

From his vantage point at the back of the dining hall, he watched with narrowed eyes as his red-haired relative stood on one of the dinner tables and began an impromptu speech.

God, he’d rather be anywhere except stuck here at Christmas headquarters on the eve of the ’big flight’. Now, apparently when all eyes would be on Kris’s famous father, Jack would be employed as clean up boy, making sure the folks on the Naughty List didn’t accidentally come into possession of Christmas bounty.

“I can’t watch this.” Slipping through the crowds, he exited the dining hall. His chest heaved with all the rage he’d ever felt while around his cousin. “Passed over again.” Jack kicked the closed door then cursed when it opened minutes later to admit Kris. “You just had to show me up one more time, didn’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Yet a wide smile wreathed Kris’s cherubic face. “I’ve worked toward this promotion for years.” He walked along the hall, weaving in between several worker elves and singing out greetings as he went.

Kris was the conservative of them, always assessing the risk in every situation, never doing anything remotely exciting and always had his nose to the grindstone—the perfect prince of Christmas. Hell, the man wore suits every freaking day, tucked shirt, belted pants, always starched and pressed. Jack snorted. He doubted the guy had lost his virginity even though he’d recently passed his thirtieth birthday—a day before Jack's, of course.

“Don’t walk away from me like I don’t matter.” I’m the same age as Starchy Pants yet I’ve had more fun than he’ll ever experience.

His gut clenched. No way would he admit the ‘fun’ only filled him up so far. At the end of the day, he had no one waiting for him, nothing substantial to look forward to after the last high, and nothing that would leave a legacy.

Who needs it?

“I’m not having this conversation if you’re going to bully me about the job.”

Not nearly done, Jack chased after his relative as a hot wave of anger crashed over him. “You knew I wanted that promotion but you marched in, charmed the merit board, and bingo! You got my job.” His whole life he’d been butting heads with his cousin, competing for everything from jobs, girls and the attention of the one Klaus who ran the gig at the North Pole.

“No, I made every benchmark at my last job, showed up to every function here at the Pole and took the time to remember each and every name of all the elves in the workshop. I showed an interest, Jack.” Kris yanked open a carved wooden door at the end of the hall and slipped into the workshop. "What have you done?"

Jack followed. He had zero interest in the flurry of activity at the work tables or the carefully orchestrated packing in preparation for the night’s flight. “I have other interests.” A cute intern passed him, and he couldn’t resist taking a second peek at her tight ass in the short, green-velvet skirt. “Still, I made no secret of wanting that position. The least you could have done was put in a good word.”

“Actually, I did the least. I said and did nothing; let you wallow in your own merit.” Kris’s chuckle was an exact copy of his father’s deep, booming laugh. “Just admit it. You don’t care about the franchise like I do. I’m a junior Sleigh Maker now. It’s one step from Toy Designer, two from Workshop Manager and three from Christmas Eve Navigator. Give me ten years, and I’ll convince Dad to let me fly solo.”

“Well, at least you’re a consistent prick.”

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

WINGING IT by Sandra Sookoo

WINGING IT by Sandra Sookoo

Joy and despair, light and dark, you can't have one without the other.

Devlin Addams has recently returned home from Afghanistan. Haunted by memories that he survived the fighting while his buddies didn't, as well as chased by the knowledge his mom is crazy, he's having trouble acclimating himself to civilian life. Now, armed with a dog and a therapist, he constantly battles the urge to end it all.

Lia Farry - because her Fae name is a mouthful - has tumbled into the Mortal Realm through the Veil between worlds by mysterious circumstances. Thrust into a new and harsh human existence, finding anything to be happy about is hard. If she can't go home, she'll have to make it work.

Forced to interact, Dev's protective instincts kick in, but he's unprepared for the onslaught of lust Lia represents. He wants a normal life but not at the expense of getting involved. Lia knows she soothes his torment yet she's battling her own problems. Desiring Dev is a dangerous prospect. Add in a meddling Fae queen and suddenly life as they know it will change forever. Love is at stake. A leap of faith is all they have to depend on.

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT   ***   WATCH THE TRAILER

EXCERPT:

Devlin Addams tugged at the red nylon leash with a bit more force than the last two times. “Damn it, Zeus, come on. Either do your business or hold it, but make a freaking decision.” He glanced at the black-and-white Jack Russell terrier and rolled his eyes. Yeah, Zeus was a real great moniker to give a stubby-legged canine like his. There was no way the dog could ever be mighty.

He snorted. According to his therapist, sharing his life with a pet companion would go a long way toward softening the images in his mind, as well as teach him how to open his heart to another living thing. Right. One little dog wasn’t going to purge the horrors of war he’d seen. One finicky canine couldn’t vanquish the remembrances of the lives he’d snuffed out while looking through the scope of his sniper rifle. They’d be with him forever and probably beyond.

Giving the dog a couple feet of leash, Dev allowed the old familiar depression to seep into his consciousness again. The black mood had been a constant friend in recent months, so much so that he’d begun to seriously consider ending his life. Why was he the one chosen to come back home in one piece when others—his friends—hadn’t been so fortunate? One guy in his unit lost an arm thanks to a sniper they’d never found. Another guy’s face was torn up due to a surprise hand-to-hand combat situation. And they were the lucky ones. Some came back in caskets.

One bullet. That’s all it would take to end all these thoughts, all these feelings.

At the far end of the cul-de-sac, he guided the dog around a speed limit sign, pausing as the canine sniffed around the sign’s base. Of course, if he did shoot himself, what would happen to Zeus? Who would take care of him? A half-smile lifted one corner of his mouth. Maybe he should revise his will and leave his house and all his assets to the dog. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? Or leave it all plus the dog to his therapist. That would balance out everything she’d made him relive over the months of sessions.

Of course, putting a bullet through his temple would be taking the easy way out. For whatever reason, he’d survived the horrors of Afghanistan. Now, every day he went to a very different life as a security guard for the local school district, defending the public against the bad guys, except they didn’t wield rifles; they used their cameras and computers to harm children.

Bastards.

So much evil in the world, there was always someone to eradicate.

Okay, so maybe committing suicide wasn’t the answer, but there had to be something that could tame the gaping maw of loneliness chewing up his insides. He needed to find a hobby that would make him feel human again. Beating the crap out of potential child molesters just didn’t cut it.

Tugging the leash when the dog didn’t seem interested in whizzing on the street sign, Dev headed up the sidewalk toward his ranch-style house. Already the humidity was at an all-time high. Sweat trickled down his back, causing his t-shirt to stick to his skin.

“It’s now or never, Zeus. I need the air conditioning.” A short bark of laughter followed. What a wuss he’d become since arriving stateside. They sure didn’t have the creature comforts holed up in those Goddamned wastelands in the desert.

Who the hell cared? Maybe he deserved to take it easy now.

The restraint all but snapped in Dev’s hand. Insistent barking soon followed. The dog pulled, dragging Dev with him, almost bouncing with excitement.

“Settle down, boy.” Dev wound a length of leash around his hand. “What the hell’s gotten into you tonight?” He glanced at the dark trees but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. “It’s probably a squirrel. Leave it alone.”

Still, old habits die hard. He left the sidewalk, allowing Zeus to sniff around some tall weeds and thin plants. He’d bought the house a year ago and in that time, he’d never seen any homeless people or vagrants in the wooded area. When Zeus began to growl and the hackles on his back stood to attention, Dev wished he’d brought his gun. He didn’t survive four years in Afghanistan to be taken down in a residential cul-de-sac for drug or booze money.

His muscles tensed. The hair on his nape prickled. Something was out there and it was coming this way. No problem. He didn’t need a gun to kill an adversary. His hands were just as deadly.

Seconds later, the nameless threat burst through the hedgerow, a peach-colored blur. It tripped over Zeus, who continued to bark as well as jump up and down, dancing on his hind legs. The unknown object or person crashed into Dev’s chest with the force of a small rocket, sending him hurtling to the grass in a tangle of limbs and wiggling, muscled canine.

He landed hard on his back. The wind whooshed from his lungs. The faint jingle of his dog tags filled his ears. “What the hell?” The question sounded wheezy to his ears. He fought with the hysterical woman. Even a blind man would know that soft, perfumed skin under him contained certain body parts that identified her as a female. He gripped her shoulders, effortlessly flipping her onto her back. He needed the advantage in case she was dangerous, and damn. How could a woman with those curves not be? Zeus stood at her head, alternately barking and licking her cheek, his tail wagging in exuberant welcome.

Definitely not the best companion for a bitter, ex-military man, or so he kept telling his shrink. Of course, the pet shop clerk and his therapist listened about as well as his dog.

“Who are you?” He caught her wrists as she flailed about, pinning her hands to the grass on either side of her head, unmindful of the light brown hair that spread over the ground in a tangled mass. Information was needed, and in vast quantities. People just didn’t come out of the woods looking like the hounds of Hades were after them. “Why the hell are you naked?” Her body heat radiated through his black t-shirt and khaki cargo pants, so hot all he wanted to do was spend a few endless moments acquainting his lips with her perfect skin.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK