TGIF!!! Victoria, thanks for having me on your fabulous blog today! It’s always fun to share secrets about how an idea blossoms into a full-fledged story!

Diamonds, danger and desire take my heroine and hero by storm in Hearts & Diamonds, my latest contemporary release with Total E-Bound! As an author, there’s nothing more exciting than writing a story that simply flows…no creative blocks, no wild detours taken by the characters or plot…just a great tale that unfolds like magic!

This doesn’t happen with every book written, so when it does, it’s pretty special. Hearts & Diamonds will always be one of my favourite stories for that very reason. The premise for the story was inspired by my own life experience. When I was in college, I worked for a jewelry store and I can honestly say I loved the job! I enjoyed learning about all the precious stones, gold, platinum and of course diamonds!

I especially loved the fact that anyone who stepped up to the counter was either there to celebrate a happy occasion- newlywed couples were my absolute fave…or something sparkly had caught their eye in the window. I liked the challenge of finding a piece of jewelry that those window shoppers just simply had to have.

I also learned how to protect myself against would be jewel thieves. Did you know the jewelry industry loses more than 100 million dollars a year in stolen goods?

I know…pretty crazy! Anyway, those memories of my former job sparked my muse and thus the storyline for Hearts & Diamonds unfolded – A jewelry heist that brings two people together and changes the course of their lives forever!

I love my heroine, Nia, she’s placed in a terrifying situation, but she’s not a weak, helpless female. When her routine life intersects with Quin, she’s not afraid to go after what she wants…namely him!

And Quin! He’s totally alpha…closed off and about business…government business. He’s a federal agent, you see, and he’s all about his job…well, at least until Nia rips through his red tape.
So, tell me, what is your favourite gemstone besides the obvious choice – diamonds? I love moonstone, aquamarine, peridot and sapphire gemstones. My wedding ring is a beautiful natural yellow sapphire!
Enjoy the weekend! And if you’re in the mood for a sexy read with scorching hot sex, dangerous thrills and a heart-warming ending, Hearts & Diamonds awaits your reading pleasure!

Hearts & Diamonds by Nichelle Gregory

Passion sparks the moment Nia Sanders unknowingly meets federal agent Quin Rios. Nia Sanders knows diamonds. She appreciates and envies the heart-felt emotions of her customers buying them. When federal agent, Quin Rios saves her life in the middle of a violent jewel heist, she finds herself attracted to the sensual possibilities beneath his uber professional, self-contained persona. Determined to keep her safe as he solves the case, Quin can’t let his attraction to Nia distract him. The heat of their fiery passion consumes them as they both struggle to control their emotions…neither are prepared to lose their heart.

Nia gasped as her mouse slipper slipped beneath her and she stumbled towards Quin. The water hit him seconds before she fell to her knees in front of him. “I am so sorry.” She blinked in sheer mortification as the liquid seeped into the dark fabric on his thighs. Her gaze drifted further up his leg to see the unmistakable bulge inches away from her. “It’s okay.”

Nia dragged her eyes up from his pants to meet his heated gaze. “No, it’s not.”

Quin ran his finger down the tip of her nose. “It is. I needed to cool off anyway.”

A ribbon of desire coursed along every nerve ending in her body as he stood up and offered both hands. “Let me help you up.”

She took them, visualising an actual spark of electricity from his touch as he yanked her up from the ground. “Thanks, Quin.” She lifted her chin, saw the same longing in his eyes and something twisted in her stomach as they stared at one another. She laced her fingers with his as time stood still. “Kiss me.”

The whispered request shocked her. She waited with baited breath for him to move, her words, her heart lay before him. Just when she would’ve pulled away, he groaned and pulled her against his chest.

His hands skimmed up her arms, into her hair as he kissed her. She melted into him, wrapped her arms around his neck and welcomed his fierce kiss. He took over and she wanted him to. Her moan of pleasure only encouraged him to delve deeper, tasting and stroking her tongue as he backed her up against the dining room wall. She could barely breathe, lost in the rhythm of his masterful kisses. One hand left her hair to cup her ass, kneading the soft curve beneath her dress. She ran her hands through his hair, loving the feel of the thick texture between her fingers as he pressed his hard cock against her belly.

“You’re so sexy,” Quin said, breaking away to look down at her.

“Ditto.” She closed her eyes as he claimed her lips again, this time in a soft, sensual caress that left her boneless. He ended the kiss and her body craved more.

“Quin…” She sighed as his lips brushed her temple.

“Nia—”

The shrill sound of her phone ringing broke the moment, stopped her from making another brazen request of his body. She pulled away from his embrace to reach for the handheld laying on the dining room table. “Hello?”

“I needed those diamonds.”

Nia froze.

The cold voice on the other end of the line was unmistakable.

“Tess?” She whipped around to look at Quin already on alert as he tapped his watch and indicated for her to keep on talking. “Where are you?”

“Closer than you think.”

The line went dead as Nia stared at Quin. She handed him the phone in a daze.

“What did she say?”

“She said she ‘needed’ those diamonds. I think she threatened me.”

“Tell me exactly what she said.” He took out his cell as she repeated the conversation. She watched him for a second, noting how easy it was for him to shift gears. Could he really have just given her the best damn kisses of her life? One wouldn’t think it’d happened now as he relayed what had happened and gave out orders to whoever was on the other line.

This is just a quick little note to apologise for being so very quiet of late! My laptop, Connie (short for Constance) got poorly and had to go away to be mended. She’s just come back to me today after 2 weeks away, huzzah.

So I promise you more posts, more excerpts and more contests in the coming weeks. I’ll bring you all the news from the Lincoln Book Festival where I am joining other Total-E-Bound authors in the Mum’s tent. It’s going to be so much fun. So if you’re going to be in Lincoln on the 14th May then definitely come and find me!

Things are hotting up and I’m going to be announcing a fantastic new contest really soon so keep an eye on the site to make sure you’re in it to win it.

Right now I really do need to be getting on, I have ALOT of writing to do in the next few days because I know you’re all eager to read the next Blisse release!

The Lord is Risen, He is Risen indeed

As you know I am a Christian and this is a very special time for me and Christians all over the world. Today is the day we celebrate Jesus coming back to life after dying on the cross to take on our sins.

Good Friday is such a solemn day. We focus on Jesus’s death and the pain and suffering her went through but it is coupled with awe and thanksgiving because he did it for me and my sins and for every person in the world ever.

Easter Sunday is full of joy and celebration because Hallelujah, Jesus is back! I love re-reading the account of Mary meeting Jesus after the ressurection. She goes in to yell at him, thinking it’s a gardener who would know why the stone was rolled away and the body was gone. Then he says her name and she realises who it is.

I love eggs and bonnets and chicks and chocolate but to me that is all secondary to the joy of celebrating the miracle of Jesus coming back from the dead.

so when you’re munching on your choc just think a moment on why we have eggs at Easter.

Enjoy the rest of your long weekend and youe celebrations!