Tuesday 7 October 2014

Join Dellani Today, for Conduct Unbecoming


Did you fall in love with Teague McMurtry in The Ninja Tattoo? Well, he's back and sassier than ever! This time, he's got help from his family as well as his good friend, Jasper Waters.
Jasper's a former Marine who is now a cop. Quite by accident, he's involved in helping Teague find an old friend—Nadeya.
Nadeya has a problem—lots of them, really. Her fiancĂ©e was murdered and she's seeking revenge against the men who did it. Unfortunately, the one man who could have helped her has been brutally murdered and the police are looking for Nadeya as a person of interest. Join Teague, Vivica, Jasper and Nadeya as they search for the truth.

It took awhile to find the perfect picture for this cover. I had a very specific message in mine—don't mess with Nadeya. I wanted a picture of a woman who was attractive, but looked like a bit of a bad ass. With the help of my good friend, Suzette Vaughan, I found just such a picture. With her expert help, this cover was born! I'm really excited about how well this came out. It expresses Nadeya's strength, but her inherent vulnerability and loneliness. Thank you, Suzette 

So what about the lady herself?


Dellani Oakes makes her home in Florida, but she grew up in Western Nebraska. Before that, she lived in Tennessee, Ohio, Massachusetts and Texas. After graduating from high school, she added Mississippi. The diverse locations gave her a unique perspective on life. Always a people watcher, Dellani put that talent to use when she became an author. She took up writing full time when her youngest son started kindergarten in 2002. Since then she has published five books. Her two romantic suspense novels are with Tirgearr Publishing and an historical romance and two sci-fi novels with Second Wind Publishing. She also has contributed to several anthologies, MJ Magazine and shares her unpublished works on her blog. Because she loves to talk to other authors, Dellani hosts two talk shows a month on Blog Talk Radio. Armed with bravado and wonderfully supportive friends and family, Dellani had embarked on a journey of self-publication. Conduct Unbecoming is her first venture into this new, and somewhat scary world.

Dellani would like to share an excerpt with you the reader 

Excerpt taken from Chapter Six

"You don't mind sharing with me, do you?" Joel asked Aileen.
"Do you snore?"
"Not that anyone's ever told me."
"Joel doesn't have sleepovers often," Jasper said. "He wouldn't know."
Joel punched Jasper hard in the chest. "Back the fuck off, Waters."
Vivica interceded once more. "Do you guys need anything?"
"I've got a change of clothing in the car," Joel said, heading outside to get it. He slammed the door behind him.
Jasper watched him leave, jaw working angrily. Vivica had to speak to him again to get his attention.
"I just need a toothbrush and some boxers. I'm good to go."
"Teague has some new ones here somewhere. They should fit you. Hang on." She ducked into the master bedroom and brought out a pair of plaid boxers.
Jasper thanked her and went in the bathroom. Vivica and Aileen made the bed while he took a quick shower. Joel still hadn't come back in. Concerned, Aileen called him, but his phone went to voice mail.
"I'm going to go look for him," she said.
Vivica nodded and tucked in the blanket. Aileen went outside. She found Joel sitting on the neighborhood dock, gazing at the moon. He looked up when she sat down on another deck chair.
"He really gets under my skin," he explained. "And I let him. I want to kick myself in the ass."
"What's with you two. You seem to hate each other."
"No. Jasper's a good guy, he's just so competitive. I've been on the receiving end more times than I'd like. He's a sore loser, but he's a worse winner. Problem is, I am too." He chuckled, shaking his head. "We're too damn much alike to be friends. The only reason we tolerate each other is because of Teague."
"He's always had that effect, hasn't he? I've never seen someone who can bring people together and get the best out of them like he can. God, he had me charmed and in his bed faster than any man I've ever met."
Joel held up his hand, halting her monologue. "I can handle many things. But hearing how good my cousin is at seducing a beautiful woman is not one of them."
"Jealous?"
"As all hell," Joel admitted. He stared across the water.
"I can't imagine you've had much trouble along that line," Aileen said quietly. She scooted closer, shivering.
Joel flung an arm around her, pulling her closer. "I'd loan you my jacket if I had one."
"This is good. So, you don't want to know how he seduced me?"
"Nope. Why would I?"
"Because it might work for you too."
Joel chuckled, rubbing her arm. "There is that. Maybe I'll find my own way."
Aileen gazed into his eyes. They looked silver in the moonlight. "How would you go about it?"
"First, I'd take you for a ride in my sexy car."
She giggled. "And then?"
"Then I'd buy you a cup of coffee and a slice of the best pie in town."
"Jasper actually did that."
"Yeah, but I drove you there in my sexy car."
"True."
"Then I'd have me a temper tantrum and storm outside like a three year old."
"Oooh, be still my fluttering heart."
Joel turned his face to hers, pulling her close. "Then, I reckon I'd get you by the river in the moonlight and hope you let me kiss you."
Aileen leaned closer. Joel brushed her cheek, touching her lips with his thumb. His lips met hers—warm and soft and full. She shivered against him, but not because she was cold. Joel's tongue flickered between her lips and she opened them more. He took full advantage, deepening the kiss. Sighing, they scooted closer together. Joel touched Aileen's cheek, his fingers winding in her hair. Gradually, his hand dropped to her shoulder before drifting down to her breast. Teasing her, he traced circles over her shirt.
The screen door of Vivica's house screeched, sounding loud in the still night. Joel's head snapped around.
"You two okay?" Vivica called.
"Yeah. Be right in, Viv.
Sorry," Joel replied. He stood, giving Aileen a hand up. Her arm slipped around his waist.
"That was a nice kiss. I'd like to continue that sometime."
Joel sighed. "But I'm guessing not tonight."
"Not tonight. But soon."
She started away from him. Joel caught her hand, pulling her back. The kiss was even more powerful when they were standing. His firm body pressed against hers. It felt good to have a man show his interest so definitively. There were no games with Joel. He liked her, he was attracted. She had no intention of bedding a man she'd known less than 12 hours—though it was damned tempting.
"How long did it take my cousin," he whispered huskily. His breath tickled her neck.
"A week."
Joel nodded, smirking. Arm slung around her shoulders, he planted a kiss on her cheek, smirking as they walked to the house.

Conduct Unbecoming is available at the following link http://tinyurl.com/kwt3ne9 

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