Between Darkness and Daylight (50 page)

The interaction with the sisters was good and brought a break from the intensity of EJ and Tabitha's developing relationship...The paranormal link is very well-done, and was not only a selling part of the book but completely plausible.
Beneath the Surface
is a entertaining book and I look forward to reading the rest of the Vega siblings' stories when they come out.
4 Stars/Orgasmic"
—
Anya
Khan,
Just Erotic Romance Reviews

"I really enjoyed this story. Gracie has a very nice voice and a terrific sense of pacing and story momentum. I loved the prickliness and baggage of both the main characters and the way the struggled against each other and against their own baggage. Eric’s sense of responsibility and purpose made him instantly likeable. Tabitha’s complex character and the way she strives for logic and reason in emotions and things inherently irrational made her a heroine to eagerly follow and root for.

One of the most interesting things about this book was that, unlike many paranormals, it was more contemporary than paranormal. The characters live in the real world and their issues and growth is easy to comprehend and sympathize with. The paranormal aspect of this story was masterful. It didn’t beat me over the head and it didn’t hide in the background until the very last moment.

This is the first book I’ve read by Gracie McKeever but it won’t be the last.
4 Hearts
" —
Maura,
The Romance Studio

"
Beneath the Surface - The Matchmaker
has a wonderful flow and was a joy to read from start to finish. The loves that the Vega family had for each other could easily be felt throughout the story. I absolutely enjoyed following E.J. and Tabitha as they navigated the rocky road of their relationship. They are both strong and independent and it was fun watching them struggle as they tried to build a relationship without giving up control. This book is full of suspense, surprises, laughs and really heated sex scenes. I got such a feeling of comfort and joy when the story ended.
4 Angels
" —
Lisa,
Fallen Angel Reviews

'
Beneath The Surface
written by Gracie C. McKeever has something for everyone; a strong willed, love-shy career woman, a gorgeous, successful hunk with a large, meddling Italian family, characters with psychic abilities and last but not least, lots of hot, steamy, explicit sex.

When E.J. Vega and Tabitha Lyons are fixed up by his sister, the matchmaker, sparks fly. This entertaining read takes you through the ups and downs of a modern day relationship between two people who are carting around a lot of baggage. Will they be able to overcome past traumas and live happily ever after with each other or will they call it quits? It's a roller coaster ride to the end.

For a great escape, pick up
Beneath The Surface
. It's a well written, entertaining book, but be forewarned, the sex scenes are sizzling.
4 Cats
" —
Sue Gold,
Wild Child Publishing

"What do you get when you take a man and a woman with very different personalities, add an impossible to resist sexual attraction, and some meddling family members? You get Gracie C. McKeever’s
Beneath the Surface
, one heck of an enjoyable read. Not only does it turn up the heat, it will make you laugh and cry and look forward to the next tale in Ms. McKeever's The Matchmaker series.

EJ is the type of man that it would be easy to underestimate. Only as you get to know him, do you see beneath his laid back exterior.

When EJ decides to woo a lady, he does it relentlessly and with style.

Tabitha's cold, business-like exterior protects a heart and soul that have been sorely battered. When she confronts her past, it will bring tears to your eyes. With interesting secondary characters to move the plot along and add some spice of their own,
Beneath the Surface
flies by at a quick pace.

Witty banter and complex characters make
Beneath the Surface
a delightful, engrossing read. Gracie C. McKeever has certainly caught my interest and I will be eagerly awaiting her next tale. Don't miss out on this wonderful new series." —
Vicki Turner,
Romance Reviews

Today

The Matchmaker, Book 2

Beneath the Surface : Terms of Surrender : Manifest Destiny
Angela Calminetti, mother of five, New Age practitioner and gifted psychic and telepath, is proud of her family ties and does everything she can to make sure that all of her younger siblings are as happy in love and marriage as she is…whether they want her to or not.

Note: Each book is written to stand alone.

Terms of Surrender

Slany Breeze has been in control, of herself and her family, since she was an early teen when her mother was killed in a tragic accident and her father retreated into himself, a broken and lost spirit.

But Slany's tired of being the strong and responsible daughter and the dependable and inspirational big sister. Just once, she'd like to give over the reins of control and let someone else take care of her every need and want. Wanting, however, and admitting her secret longings to the one man willing and capable of satisfying them, are two different things.

Nick Vega has come a long way from his bad boy, rebellious childhood when a learning disability was the bane of his disappointed father's existence.

Once he discovers Slany's submissive nature and the stalker from his past that threatens her, he will do whatever it takes to protect his new claim and woman.

Sensuality Rating:
Scorching

Genre:
Contemporary Paranormal/ BDSM/ Interracial/ Suspense

Length:
Plus Novel (~94,000 words)

STORY EXCERPT

TERMS OF SURRENDER

The Matchmaker, Book 2

By Gracie C. McKeever

Copyright © 2006

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Slany's spicy-sweet woman's musk sent his salivary glands into overdrive, and his cock stood at attention under his desk.

"Are you listening to me, Nick?"

"Of course I am."

"Then what did I just say?"

"Something about your ad beating the jocks off of mine in the split run."

"Lucky guess." She smirked.

Nick chuckled. "If it's any consolation, they're both great copy, each playing on basic semiotics." He waited for her retort, remembered how she'd reacted to his "Everwell…our name says it all," compared to her

"Quality and longevity is in our name." They'd argued the merits of each catch phrase through most of that first day working together. Slany thought his slogan oversimplified, that it sacrificed clarity in the name of cleverness. Nick insisted it was clear and clever enough, despite its simplicity. They'd finally settled on a split run, competitive to the bitter end, and may the best director win.

"It isn't," Slany murmured.

Nick arched a brow. "Isn't what?"

"Isn't any consolation."

"Don't like bones, huh?"

"Bones are for dogs."

"Care to make it interesting?"

She stared at him long and hard, then finally asked, "What do you have in mind?"

"A little wager. Loser takes the winner out to dinner." He figured even if he lost, he still won. The luxury of Slany's company was enough assuagement for any man's wounded ego. He could see Slany figured the same as he did, that she resented his manipulation.

She stood up straight, hands on her hips in what was becoming an achingly familiar pose of defiance that made his cock throb in his pants with longing.

Loose-fit designer chinos had never been as uncomfortable on him.

He glanced up at her from his seat and goaded, "Don't have any faith in your text?"

She marched from behind his desk at this and planted herself in front of it, putting a nice slab of hard wood between them as she seethed.

Smart girl, because he'd been about to do something that probably would have warranted a slap, or arrest for lewd and lascivious behavior by the laws of at least several states.

Nick was sure there actually were some archaic regulations on the books that outlawed several of his favorite activities to do in bed, two of which he could see doing with Slany in his office this minute if he could get away with it.

Slany stared at him for a long moment, finally sighed, and dropped her arms to her sides, as if in resignation. "I don't even know why I let you stress me out."

"Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Stressed out.”

"I'm slowly getting there."

Nick laughed as he stood and came from behind his desk, aware of the bulge in his pants and not caring if she noticed, especially since she was the one who'd put it there.

Slany eyed him warily, but didn't retreat as he approached, stopping a foot in front of her.

"You know what they say is the best stress reliever?"

Her eyes widened ever so slightly, but she remained silent as she stared up at him, plainly anticipating his next move.

He had news for her, because the ball was in her court.

Your move, Breeze.

She didn't disappoint him, slowly ran the tip of her tongue over her luscious lips, igniting his imagination and making him wonder what that organ of taste would feel like wrapped around and stroking his hard cock.

"No. Why don't you tell me?"

If he picked up the gauntlet she'd just thrown down, he knew there would be no turning back for either of them, and no longer cared about the consequences. Hell, he barely remembered they were at their job, in his office, the door unlocked.

Nick took a step closer, paused as he stared at her, giving her a chance to fall back.

She didn't, simply looked up at him with a curious heated expression.

Good girl. Stay with me.

He tilted his head to one side as he leaned in to take her mouth, closed his eyes and saw skyrockets blasting off when their lips converged.

He pulled back for the second it took him to murmur, "Open for me, Slany," surprised when she did. He thrust his tongue against hers before sweeping past it altogether and into the hot depths of her eager mouth to thoroughly devour.

In that instant, he knew. Slany was a submissive!

ADULT EXCERPT

TERMS OF SURRENDER

The Matchmaker, Book 2

By Gracie C. McKeever

Copyright © 2006

He reached between her legs and gently opened her folds with his thumbs, bent his head to lick her wanting clit, slowly sucked and nibbled the engorged flesh to vibrant life. The flesh bloomed like a berry on the vine, ready to burst in his mouth.

She moaned, arching her hips to bring his mouth closer, and when he plunged his tongue inside her, deeply, hungrily, she screamed, struggling against her shackles.

She needed to touch him, hold him!

Slany bucked her hips to meet his thrusts, mindless of whether she was hurting him, would bruise or smother him.

He caught her hips and held her in place against the firm mattress as he worked in earnest, lapping at her as if she were his first and last meal.

Her uterus contracted and expanded, heat flaring in her center, rising up and through her body, simultaneously bathing her limbs and nerves in cold heat, every sensation intensified by her restraints, by his masculinity and superior strength.

She felt perspiration beading her forehead and upper lip, climax overtaking her like a masked bank robber, sudden and violent, body spasming inside and out.

Slany opened her eyes several seconds after her body finally stilled and watched Nick sitting beside her, gaze drifting over her body with stimulating intent as he caressed her with one hand from head to foot.

She licked her lips, tongue sluggish like her eyes she could barely keep open, like her body paradoxically heavy with satisfaction and need.

"Please, I want to see you."

"You want to see me, what?"

"Master." It shocked her that the word left her mouth so effortlessly, almost automatic, as if she had been saying it, addressing him thus, for years.

Nick silently reached for the buttons of his designer shirt, slowly unbuttoning each one before drawing his arms out of the sleeves.

Slany squirmed on the bed, his movements taunting her with the view of his well-muscled torso, abdomen hard and sectioned like a swimmer's, and almost as smooth but for a small sprinkling of dark hair between his pectorals, light trail arrowing down beneath the waistband of his slacks.

The sight made her more anxious to feel him, made her want to follow that trail of hair with her tongue.

God this was so unfair! She'd never felt so helpless, so needy and vulnerable before, and she wasn't sure how much she liked it.

Her fingers automatically flexed with the need to run up and down his body, feel his velvety skin and hard muscles beneath her palms. Slany watched him stand, slowly unzip his slacks and drop them to the floor. She was finally gifted with a banquet of long, lean legs, his calves and thighs athletic, tightly corded like a runner's, but not overly bulky like a weight lifter's.