Lacey Wolfe's Blog

Today I am sharing with you the first chapter to my part of Highest Bid, Dustin's story! Please note that it's unedited so there are most likely some grammatical errors and a few typos. Either way, enjoy!

***

​Chapter One
 
Dustin
 
My nerves were shot as my heart raced. This was so out of my usual element, I could hardly breathe. On a typical Friday evening, I’d be home with a book, getting lost in an alternate reality. Instead, I was at a bachelor auction. What year was this? How in the world had my brother Nathan and my cousins Hudson and Liam Maddox, talked me into this?
“You look handsome, Dustin.” My aunt Janet rubbed my shoulder. “I can see the tension all over you. Just breathe and relax. This is good for you. Ever since you were a child, you were always the one we worried about.”
Huh?
“Your nose always in a book and you had no common sense at all.”
Uh, thanks…
“But you’ve grown into a successful man. You and your brother Nathan running one of the country’s top coffee house chains. There won’t be a woman in this room tonight that won’t desire the chance to be with you and Nathan.”
“Only because your sons are off the market.” She practically beamed as she said their names. “Liam and Hudson surely are. Happy as can be. Kennedy and Chelsea have been exactly what my boys needed. But with your mother passing a few years ago, I feel as though it’s my duty to take you and your brother under my wing and guide you both out of the hole you’ve been living in.”
I resisted the urge to laugh. Nathan and I were doing remarkable for ourselves. Yes, the passing of our mother was a hard hit. She’d left us much too early, but she had been a wonderful role model.
“You and your brother have always been so reserved. Even as teenagers.”
“Tonight we both seem to be stepping out of our comfort zone. Speaking of my brother, perhaps I should go find him.” And away from this conversation with my aunt. I loved her, but I had a mother, a damn good one, and I wasn’t looking for my aunt to become my new mommy.
“He’s in the dressing room giving our stylist a hard time.”
Aunt Janet spun around on her heels and skirted away quickly after some woman, yelling something about flowers. She ran this auction yearly, bringing in money for local charities that she and her husband ran. The Maddox name was well known. My mother was Janet’s sister, and while our family was also wealthy, my brother and I had made our last name a household name for coffee.
I entered the back room where I’d gotten dressed. I was always early to everything, this being no different. If only I could come late to have killed more time and left me less time wanting to find the closest exit and jet. Later calling my aunt to apologize.
Nathan stood in front of a full-length mirror, studying himself. His gaze caught mine and I could see his nerves were as lit up as mine.
“Want to ditch this?” I asked as I leaned against the wall.
“It’s good marketing for the company.”
I snickered. “Maybe we’ll eventually pass Dunkin’ and Starbucks.”
“Our numbers are closing in on them.”
They had. I was blown away at our last quarterly meeting. We were really making headway. The app we’d just launched had been exactly what we needed to show the two big companies that we weren’t backing down.
“This evening, we are putting business behind us and for once, our dating life first.” Nathan straightened his tie. “It’s time we both start to live a little. Mom has been gone for a while now and we’ve both locked ourselves into business, leaving no time for women.”
“Yes, big brother.” My tone laced with sarcasm.
He leaned close to my ear. “My dry spell has been nothing compared to yours, we should be ashamed of where we’re at in the love department.”
“Maybe that will all change tonight.”
Nathan had a look of hope on his face. “You never know, we just might meet the right women here tonight.”
I wished I shared the same sentiment as him. The chances were slim, as far as I was concerned, that this evening I would find the woman of my dreams.
 
***
 
Marilyn
 
I checked my smartwatch, waiting to see how much longer this auction was going to take place. So far, none of the men who’d walked across the stage had impressed me one bit. I’d met Janet Maddox a few months back, and she’d told me about her annual action. She thought it was right up my alley, being a single woman with money. While I was well off in the financial department, I was a penny pincher.  And I wasn’t about to spend my money on a date with just any man. I didn’t even really know what I was looking for in a man on the stage, but when the right one walked onto it, I’d know. If not, my back account wouldn’t get any lighter.
I’d always been the kind of woman to listen to my gut. So far it hadn’t steered me wrong.
Janet came back onto the stage and went to the mic. “Up next is a special man to my family, and it’s his first time at this event. He’s a bit shy and could use a woman to pull him out of his shell.” She smiled and waved for the man to come out. “Meet Dustin Wilder, my nephew.”
A shy man? Had I ever met one? Most men were arrogant assholes these days. I cleared my throat and turned my attention back to the stage to see who Janet’s nephew was.
Now, this was a hottie. I licked my lips as I took him in. Tall, light brown hair, he wore shorter than most men these days. His suit was a navy color and it fit him perfectly. I waited for a smile and when he did, it came across forced. My attention was grabbed. I was curious what his real smile would look like, and why someone like him would ever do this event. It was obvious as I took in every sexy square inch of him that this wasn’t his idea of an evening.
“Dustin co-owns the coffee chain Wilder Coffee with his brother Nathan, who will also be coming up to auction this evening. Dustin is a bookworm, soft-spoken, and generally a homebody. He’s looking for someone special who will also enjoy quiet evenings at home, a fire going in the backyard, and a dinner in that he’s prepared. My nephew loves to cook, so you’re in for a real treat. But don’t stress, ladies. If you’re worried this man would never take you out for an evening on the town, you’re wrong. So let’s get the bidding going, ladies. We’re going to start high with him at $5000.”
I glanced around as women began to raise their numbers, shouting out dollar amounts to get a date with Dustin. As Janet took in the bids, I watched him. He was the first man tonight to intrigue me. The way he rocked on his feet. He was so out of his element. A man who liked evenings in. I was used to dating men who wanted to drag me all over and call me their arm candy. Not something I wanted. I didn’t need a man or to be anyone’s arm candy.
As the number got higher, I swore I could see a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. It was as though he was in agony, and something in my wanted to end this whole thing for him. Taking a deep breath, I held my number up. When Janet pointed to me, I said, “$40,000.”
The audience of women spun looking at me, shocked by the amount I’d said. I was competitive and when I wanted to win, I went for it.
“Did you say $40,000?”
“Yes.”
“$40,000, going once, going twice.” She paused, looking around. “Sold to Marilyn Parker.”
My gaze caught Dustin’s and I smiled a devious smirk. That man didn’t know what was coming his way, but I planned on showing the quiet bookworm an evening he’d not forget anytime soon…if ever.
Coming September 18th, 2018
Highest Bid: A Bachelor Auction!

This book will be available at all retailers!

Follow this link to grab your copy and see the cover! Go HERE

Enter the preorder giveaway! Go HERE

Coming September 18th, 2018
Highest Bid: A Bachelor Auction!

This book will be available at all retailers!

Follow this link to grab your copy and see the cover! Go HERE

Enter the giveaway! Go HERE

Stay tuned for more details and excerpts!

Oh dear, not another post about why I've not had releases. Okay, so it is another one of those. But I want to keep my lovely readers updated.

I have been writing. I was halfway done with In Office Desires when I decided to put it aside. On Deck Desires has not sold well and it took away my motivation to write book 2. Sometimes as a writer we have an idea or concept for a series and it doesn't take off. That's okay! So I set that aside and began working on Just Kiss Me . I'm loving this story and really hoping to have it out before long. I'd love to say I am farther into it then I am, but I'm not.

I swear...I wish I didn't need sleep. My work hours/type of work I do, and then coming home and doing family stuff really limits my time. As a special ed parapro, I don't get a break during the work day usually to sit down and write. I love my job and I know my story is still there to tell. I've also just began another new story with Ella Jade. She will keep me writing. Ha ha. I admire how much writing she gets done and the way she keeps going. She's an inspiration to me for sure. This book is a planned July release, so it's not far away. If you enjoyed The Maddox Brothers , then we hope you'll give Highest Bid a chance. We will have a cover reveal soon.

Anyway, for those that have stuck by me and wondering if they will ever read a Lacey Wolfe book again, yes you will. I'm just slow and for that I'm sorry.

I am planning to create a new pen name this summer for my sweet titles. I will FINALLY be getting Bidding Wars back in May. I can't wait to be able to release Bidding Wars, It Must Be Fate, and I'll be pulling Cleaning up Love , and putting them under a new sweet pen name. I'll be sure to share that as soon as it gets going.

That's a little update. I'm trying to get more active again on my social media. And with 6 1/2 weeks until summer break, I'll be keeping my teaching hat on but plan to write up a storm again this summer.

​Love you all and thank you for reading my blog and my books!

Hi all! My apologies on the delay of the release of On Deck Desires and Amber's Muse . Amber's Muse is already for re-release and On Deck Desires is almost there. With my return to work I got slowed down and then I had a family member pass away. We had to travel out of town and I was away for over a week to be with family. I hope both books will be available by the end of August. Stay tuned for updates. 

I’ve got one more week until its back to work. I’m not ready. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job but I have really enjoyed being a full-time writer as well. I really can’t believe summer vacation is almost over. At the end of May, I wanted to finish 2 books this summer (both had been started already) and re-edit 3 old releases.

​I finished writing one book and re-edited one old release. But at least I accomplished something. And I’m proud to have written On Deck Desires and edited Amber’s Muse for re-release. Both will be coming in August
Next week, my final week before its back to teaching, I’ll be accomplishing some things around the house I wanted to get done. As well as being lazy and having some pool days with the kiddos. I probably won’t have my author hat on too much.

I’ve been trying to decide how to write and work full-time. I’m usually zapped for energy after I get home, so writing in the evening isn’t going to happen. I don’t have any breaks or planning time at work, so not writing anything there. I’m hoping to set my alarm a few days a week and get up to write. I like to write first thing in the morning when I wake up.  I’ll see how that goes.

Summer has been good and I wish it were longer, but I am happy to see co-workers again and have adult interaction again during the day. My kids spend most of their days doing their own thing now. So I usually talk the husband’s ear off when he gets home.

I hope you’re having a great summer!

​Be on the lookout for On Deck Desires coming August 22nd. A pre-order link will be coming soon.

Check out this new cover! I love it! This story is inspired from a friend of mine who wanted a romance set on a private yacht with the woman to be the billionaire and the man not to be one. I'm currently writing Cassie and Dean's story, but I hope to have this one ready to release mid to late August.

Stay tuned for updates, a blurb reveal, and some excerpts.

I took a long break. A really long break.

​I think the last book I wrote with any passion in it was Bucked Off For Love and that was last summer. I did somehow manage to write Love’s Secret in the fall of 2016 for a boxed set it was in for about 3 months. That story lacked my passion as a writer. I’ve sense gotten the story back and haven’t rereleased yet. It needs some serious TLC.

​Life happened and tons of changes came my way. First I began working part time 3 days a week. And that was a huge change for me, being at home for 12 years. I had a hard time juggling things. As well, some things were going on in my personal life that zapped any creativity.  During the fall, I spent a lot of time working on me as a person. Who I was and what made me happy. I’d forgotten. I thought writing book after book made me happy, but then I found myself getting on Facebook all the time and getting jealous of everyone else’s success’s. But you know what? I was doing all right for myself. I realize that now as I’ve left my writing life go.

​In January, I decided in my quest of still trying to find me again, that being out of the house all the time was good for me. I was going crazy because a part of me wanted to write again, but I couldn’t form more than a few paragraphs. Several started and stopped work in progress’s. I was feeling like a failure in my author life. I kept telling myself, next month I’ll do more promo. Or next month I’m going to write. Something fresh. But then I never did those goals and that made me more frustrated.

Also in January, I started to work full time. I always wanted to be a special ed teacher. I’d started schooling for it before having my son. So I got hired on as a paraprofessional. Even thinking about writing was out the door because I work hard all day with no breaks. When I get him, I usually do a little cleaning then I’m on the couch and snoozing on the couch by 8:30.

Over the last few months, not worrying about if I have another book to release to stay in readers eyes, self-imposed deadlines to stress over, edits, and so on. I’ve healed. I feel ready to write again. If only I had the time. But guess what? That doesn’t stress me either. From fall 2016- spring 2017, I’ve been working on me. I’m content with where I am in life.

I still have stories to tell and won’t be walking away. But the break, once I finally stopped beating myself up and allowed myself to just walk away for a bit, was worth it. 2017 may be a year with just re-releases on books I get rights back to. Or maybe I’ll actually finish one of my work in progresses. Either way, as a person, I’ve grown and found more happiness in myself.

To any of my readers still lingering around, thank you! Your support means so much to me.
 
A list of books to be rereleased:
Amber’s Muse
It Must Be Fate
Love’s Secret
 
A book I started and hoping to finish is Best Man .

Last spring I wrote a post about changes coming in my life, and those changes did happen, as much as I fought the idea. I've returned to working outside the home after 12 years home. It's part-time. I substitute teach and I get to pick my days I work, for the most part. It's an adjustment though, even though it's a few days a week. I can count on one hand the amount of days in November I've written. Eek.  

On top of working outside the house, my sister-in-law and I launch a LuLaRoe business too. And wow, that's a crazy amount of work too. Trying to fit everything in has been hard, but I'm trying to figure it out all. I think I'm finally at a point where I know the work needed for LuLaRoe and how to schedule that. The weeks new inventory come are usually the busiest due to photos, editing them, etc. My good author friend Ella Jade subs and she gave me the tip to bring a notebook. There are some classes I teach, I have free time. So I want to start writing in a notebook when that happens. I do enjoy everything I am doing though. I really do. I'm so busy. Not that I wasn't before, but it's a new kind of busy. It's come at a great time too, because as my kids are older they need me so much less. I get sad sometimes that my kids just do their own thing, but I'm embracing it and remind myself that it's time to be me again. 

I'm still writing. It just takes me a little longer. I've been working on Best Man for months, it seems. I'm hoping to release it end of January or beginning of February. I think it's a reasonable goal. I'm working on a short story for an anthology that will come out in the spring. And also another story similar to Strangers At The Altar that will release in the fall with a publisher.

This December, I have a store in a boxed set titled Love's Secret . It's roughly 20,000 words and features a couple I created but set in the Love Brothers world written by Liz Crowe. It's not the same as Kindle World because I believe it will be available on all outlets. I'm exited about it and hope my readers and new readers enjoy the novella. All the stories deal with real life situations. It'll be an interesting and unique bundle of books.

To my readers, I hope you're doing well and thank you for all your support all these years. It means a lot to me. I'm not done creating stories, even though there are days I think I might be. For lack of time, mostly. But then I stop and think about the enjoyment I get when releasing a book, and I know I'm not done.

Not one, not two, but SIX bull riders to heat up your kindle! Cowboys, Bulls and Buckles is now available and features my brand new story Bucked Off For Love . Bucked Off For Love Cassidy
Dating doesn’t exist in my life, and if it did, I especially wouldn’t go out with a cocky bull rider. Their smooth charming ways have little effect on me, until professional bull rider, Ryder Starling walked into my office, and I practically fainted when he took his shirt off. He thinks I can work magic and fix his torn rotator cuff, but I saw his fall. My best option is to pass him off to my co-worker and forget the feelings he brought to life inside me.
 
Ryder
It’s my last season before retirement and I’ve been at the top of my game, having some of my best rides yet. Then one stupid misjudgment and a fall might mean I have to retire before the season is over. I’m not ready to give up and sure as hell don’t want to settle down on the family ranch with a wife and kids. That was until I met Cassidy and her son Shiloh. Learn about all the stories Riding hard and loving harder… Cowboys, Bulls, and Buckles… 
Where eight seconds means the difference between winning and love… 
Six brand new stories by some of the hottest Contemporary Western Romance Authors… 

The Ride of His Life by Deb Julienne 
When it comes down to the finals, who will win? 

Broken Dreams by Melissa Keir 
Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned…. 

Sweet Cowboy Kisses by Stephanie Berget 
Can two wounded souls find a sweet future together? 

Bucked Off for Love by Lacey Wolfe 
What happens when a bull rider seeks physical therapy from the one woman who brings his body to life? 

Heart Rush by Lisa Huffman 
When two hearts collide, can anything happen? 

A Cowboy to Love by D’Ann Lindun 
Can a women dreaming of a family and a cowboy who is sterile find a way to build a life together? ​ Grab your copy on Amazon for 99 cents or free in Kindle Unlimited. Amazon