Tina Martin's Blog

Today's #TeaserTuesday is an excerpt from my upcoming novel, Tell Me You Want Me. Y'all already know who Livia and Khenji are. They are back on your Kindles on November 26, 2024! If you haven't dove into this series yet, start with book one, Tell Me: The Prelude and then book two, Tell Me You Love Me. For now, enjoy this excerpt for book three. Also note that this excerpt is subject to slight changes before being officially released. Enjoy!

Excerpt - Tell Me You Want Me

Obsidian is where I sit on a Friday night with thefour men, (or shall I call them interns?) and their significant others who’vemastered my mentoring program. This feat for them means much more than anycollege degree. In fact, they won’t need a bachelor’s, master’s or anything ofthe sort because they have my knowledge. My name alone, speaks for them. They’llgo off to have excellent careers, hence our celebration tonight.

It was Livia’s idea to do this because I’m not thetype to put something like this together. She said it would be something coolto do – to mark the beginning of their careers. I had my assistant, Samone,make us reservations here and here we sit but Livia’s not here yet.

I pull my pocket watch out to check the time. It’s7:04 p.m. I inhale a slightly worried breath. She should’ve been here by now. Iclear my throat and take a sip of Jack. She’s fine, I know, but this is beyondawkward for me.

Looking around the table, I’m proud of these mendespite my social anxiety. They’ve come a long way and have set themselves upin a position that promises wealth and prosperity. It’s what I have. Wealth.Prosperity. But a smart man knows it’s not money that makes him wealthy. Ilearned that the moment I met Livia.

Where is she?

“This place is nice, Mr. Halifax,” one of the guyssays. “I never could imagine sitting inside a place like this. Shoot, the onlyreason I’m here now is because you’re paying for it.”

I look at him and know I’m supposed to saysomething – you know – be conversational and all, but I really don’t haveanything to add. Then I think about what Livia would say if she was here. Talkto the man, she’d say. Open up. You’re the man. You have nothing to beapprehensive about. Besides, these men look up to you.

I clear my throat, get out of my head and say, “You’rewell on your—”

My words easily get hung up in my throat when Ilook up and see Livia walking this way. In fact, every cell in my body pauses,allowing my eyes to feast on this woman. She has her hair straightened, hangingpast her shoulders. She has on a white blouse that’s cinched at the waist and acamel colored, leather skirt that falls to her knees. She’s carrying a little goldpurse in her hand – the kind of purse she has at these fancy galas we attendonly this isn’t a gala. This is dinner at an upscale restaurant. I supposethey’re one in the same.

I can’t tear my eyes away from her. As she walksthis way, I feel her energy connecting to mine. She smiles, drawing myattention to the blush on her cheeks and her pretty white teeth. I notice otherthings about her that she’s changed, because she didn’t look like this when sheleft for work this morning. However, she gets off early on Fridays and I knowshe uses the extra time to pamper herself. I’d say she did that today with herburgundy fingernails and professionally done makeup. Her lips are the same coloras her nails. I much prefer her without makeup because I know the true beautyit hides, but she likes it so I like it. I’m just glad she’s here.

I swallow the lump in my throat and blink out ofmy trance when she’s almost at the table. My guests have since looked to seewhat had captured my attention and now they’re back looking at me.

---

Pre-Order Now at Amazon.

 

Let Me...
..a new women's fiction novel by Tina Martin, coming July 2025!Read the full Book Description.
What is this story about?
The story is about a man - Judah - who has pushed love away his entire life. He used to want love, but due to something that's happened to him, he doesn't want to subject a woman to suffer because of him. The best way not to break anyone's heart is to just stay away - or be friends at best.
Then he meets Autumn in the cutest, most seredipitous way possible. She falls into that same friends category but she's not a woman to just be shoved into a category when she knows Judah is interested in her far more than just a simple friendship.  She also focuses on her life, her family and what she really wants out of life. The story centers around her.
This is not a romance. It's women's fiction. What's the difference, you ask?
Romance focuses on a relationship and usually ends in a happy ending. Women's fiction usually focuses on the life and journey of a woman and does not end in a happy ending. Women's fiction stories still have a romantic element, and this story will have plenty of that.
Let Me releases in 2025, so make sure you pre-order this title now at the following retailers:
AmazonBarnes & NobleAppleKobo

 

Let Me...
A new women's fiction novel by Tina Martin, coming June 20, 2025!Read the full Book Description.
What is this story about?
The story is about a man - Judah - who has pushed love away his entire life. He used to want love, but due to something that's happened to him, he doesn't want to subject a woman to suffer because of him. The best way not to break anyone's heart is to just stay away - or be friends at best.
Then he meets Autumn in the cutest, most seredipitous way possible. She falls into that same friends category but she's not a woman to just be shoved into a category when she knows Judah is interested in her far more than just a simple friendship.  She also focuses on her life, her family and what she really wants out of life. The story centers around her.
This is not a romance. It's women's fiction. What's the difference, you ask?
Romance focuses on a relationship and usually ends in a happy ending. Women's fiction usually focuses on the life and journey of a woman and does not end in a happy ending. Women's fiction stories still have a romantic element, and this story will have plenty of that.
Let Me releases in 2025, so make sure you pre-order this title now at the following retailers:
AmazonBarnes & NobleAppleKobo

 EXCERPT

Yeah, we go that far back.

Far back enough when hangouts were backyardsinstead of the mall. When friendship wasn’t determined by likes and follows. Wewere real friends. Friends who actually love each other, and even thoughit’s not said, it’s felt. I know how Chantelle feels about me. She knows how Ifeel about her and we were always good.

Now, I’m getting married and I don’t know how she’staking this.

“Okay, then. If you’re excited, maybe I’m catchingthe wrong vibe. Am I catching the wrong vibe, Chantelle?”

“Ugh, why are you riding me about this?” she asks,laughing in an effort to convince me that she’s cool, but I know she’s not. Shecan’t lie to me. I know her too well. When I met Eva two years ago, myfriendship with Chantelle began a slow, gradual descent. I felt it happening.Did I do anything about it? No. I just pretended everything was normal, hopingthe issue would correct itself. It didn’t. We grew apart. We weren’t tight likewe used to be, and it’s all on her end, not mine. I didn’t expect that,especially from Chantelle. Man or woman — a best friend is supposed to haveyour back come what may – at least that’s what I thought. Chantelle is supposedto be happy for me. I want her to be happy for me. I don’t think that’stoo much to ask.

“What vibe do you think you’re getting, Samir?”

I shrug, then raise a finger to summon thebartender. Before I can ask for another shot, Chantelle grips my wrist, lowersmy hand and tells the bartender, “That’s okay. He’s good.”

“Oh, wow. I got moms with me tonight.”

“Call it what you want, but I’m looking out foryour well-being. It’s not a good look for you or anybody else to be gettingdrunk as a way of celebrating marriage. I never saw the sense of suchfoolishness.”

I cross my arms and sit up tall. “Had I known youweren’t in the mood to turn up, I would’ve just come alone.”

“Hmph,” she grunts. “You should’ve had a clue whenI said I DON’T FEEL LIKE GOING OUT TONIGHT. Remember that?”

“But you’re usually always in the mood to—”

“Yeah, but on a Wednesday night, Sam? A sister is tied.Not tired. Tied!”

I chuckle. “I get that, but tonight’s different.This is my bachelor party.”

She snorts a laugh. “Bachelor party? You’refunny.”

“What?”

“Boy, this ain’t no bachelor party. A bachelorparty is a bunch of guys out here hootin’ and hollering acting like wildanimals while they toss back an unlimited amount of vodka shots and tease youabout how you’re turning in your player’s card for one woman. Oh, andnot to mention the constant bragging about how they’re still out here bouncingfrom woman to woman and making you feel like you’re missing out on something. Thisain’t that. This is just me and you out here kickin’ it.”

“Well, in case you didn’t know, you’re the onlyperson I need to kick it with and I mean that.”

She looks up at me and I hold her vision as herstare grows intense. She glances at my lips, then back up to my eyes beforeclearing her throat and looking away from me.

What was that about?

It was definitely a moment, but why?

Excerpt from Tell Me: The PreludeRelease Date: May 3, 2024

I decide it’s best to stay away from her for therest of the evening, so that’s what I do. One more hour to go and I will havesuccessfully fulfilled Delton’s wish for me, so I don’t have to hear his mouth.I don’t want to hear no more nagging about how I don’t get out and meet people.It’s done. I can finally tell him to let me be. I’m on the home stretch.

I make myself a fruit bowl and carry it backoutside where I can breathe. Where I’m safely away from her. I staredown the long row of stairs before deciding to sit halfway down. Only a fewpeople are mingling outside, so it’s much safer out here. I’m not expected totalk to passersby. I just sit here, mind my business and eat fruit.

I pull out my stopwatch to check the time. Time ismoving slower than our president. It’s funny how it drags along at times youwant to speed it up. I just have to ride it out. I toss a grape into my mouthand as I do, I smell the strawberry scent of the woman who had made memalfunction. I figure it must be the strawberries in my fruit salad, butshortly after, I feel her presence. I turn my head to glance behind me and sureenough, she’s coming down the stairs.

Crap!

At least I’m outside this time where there’splenty of oxygen.

“There you are,” she says, sitting on the stepright beside me.

I glance at her and quickly look away. I toss agrape into my mouth and say, “Your words imply you were looking for me.”

“I was.”

“Why?”

“Just wanted to make sure you were okay. Plus, Iwant to mix with you.”

“I’m fine and I told you I don’t mix well.”

“What exactly does that mean?” she asks, helpingherself to a strawberry from my bowl and biting it.

*****

Order Tell Me: The Prelude now! This title will also be available on Kindle Unlimited.

 

Excerpt from Tell Me: The PreludeRelease Date: May 3, 2024

I decide it’s best to stay away from her for therest of the evening, so that’s what I do. One more hour to go and I will havesuccessfully fulfilled Delton’s wish for me, so I don’t have to hear his mouth.I don’t want to hear no more nagging about how I don’t get out and meet people.It’s done. I can finally tell him to let me be. I’m on the home stretch.

I make myself a fruit bowl and carry it backoutside where I can breathe. Where I’m safely away from her. I staredown the long row of stairs before deciding to sit halfway down. Only a fewpeople are mingling outside, so it’s much safer out here. I’m not expected totalk to passersby. I just sit here, mind my business and eat fruit.

I pull out my stopwatch to check the time. Time ismoving slower than our president. It’s funny how it drags along at times youwant to speed it up. I just have to ride it out. I toss a grape into my mouthand as I do, I smell the strawberry scent of the woman who had made memalfunction. I figure it must be the strawberries in my fruit salad, butshortly after, I feel her presence. I turn my head to glance behind me and sureenough, she’s coming down the stairs.

Crap!

At least I’m outside this time where there’splenty of oxygen.

“There you are,” she says, sitting on the stepright beside me.

I glance at her and quickly look away. I toss agrape into my mouth and say, “Your words imply you were looking for me.”

“I was.”

“Why?”

“Just wanted to make sure you were okay. Plus, Iwant to mix with you.”

“I’m fine and I told you I don’t mix well.”

“What exactly does that mean?” she asks, helpingherself to a strawberry from my bowl and biting it.

*****

Order Tell Me: The Prelude now! This title will also be available on Kindle Unlimited.

Hi readers! For Teaser Tuesday this week, I am sharing an excerpt from my new Champion Brothers Series book, At The Right Time. The book will be released this Friday, March 29, 2024! It is not available for pre-order. It will just be released. I will also reveal the cover on that date as well. I know you will enjoy Florence's story! (Also, please note that this excerpt could be changed/altered/edited before release day!)


At The Right Time - Excerpt


“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
And kiss her he did!
In fact, he kissed her so much, that it prolonged the applause from their family and friends who watched on with unbridled excitement. It was as if the cheers had encouraged him to kiss her harder, but no, it had nothing to do with that. They could’ve been out here alone and he still would’ve been giving her the business. That’s because it was her and their love had grown exponentially in the months after the crazy way they’d met.
Who would’ve ever thought Amira would’ve met her husband because of a traffic stop? She sure didn’t, but that’s how love happens most times – when you least expect it.
Florence smiled, deeply satisfied. As a single mother of four intelligent, beautiful children, she was beyond happy and fulfilled at sixty-two years of age. Her children were a huge part of that happiness and today, seeing Amira and Dominick tie the knot meant that now, all of her children were happily married and living their best lives.
Amazing.
She shook her head as she thought about their unconventional journey. They were already married before this ceremony, but Dominick loved Amira so much, he wanted to make it official and lay it out before everyone that she was his woman and that was that. He wanted Amira to have her day to wear a beautiful gown and dance the night away with her family and friends. They needed to share the first dance, the kisses and feeding each other cake. He wanted the world to know Amira was his wife.
And so on this beautiful fall day in September, they tied the knot at the Riverwalk Landing at the Cape Fear River. It was a special venue for them. He’d walked this strip with her the same moment he knew he was falling in love and now they were back here remembering those moments.
Florence pinched tears from her eyes and felt an overwhelming sense of pride as she saw the happiness in her daughter’s eyes. Then she looked at Jemisha and Mordecai, Savannah and Harding with their son, Harley, and Zoya and Tennyson. It made her feel good as a mother to raise four children practically on her own and watch them grow up, marry and start families of their own.
They were fortunate to have found love and people, good mates, to share their lives with. Lord knows it hadn’t been that way for her. She’d met and fell in love with their father, Nolan Champion, decades ago. He was handsome, charming, caring and thoughtful – he was everything she wanted in a man. Too bad he came with a whole wife! If only she’d known that before she fell for his charm – she’d ended it then and there, but once she was in love, she was in love. There was no ring. No wedding. No reception. No cake. No happily ever after. How could there be when he was married to another woman? His happily ever after was with his wife, for what little it was worth to have a cheating man, and all Florence had was a man who popped in now and again to see his kids and slide into her bed.
It was sad to think about but those memories ran through her mind as she watched Dominick and Amira dance under a plethora of string lights in the precious hour before dusk. Pushing her own turmoil and unhappiness aside, she could envision their entire lives just by watching them. They’d have a couple of gorgeous kids, a dog – a good healthy overall life. Florence could see Dominick working his highway patrol job while Amira finally settled on a career and fully contributed to the success of the household. And the icing on the cake – they were relocating to Wilmington from Asheville after the sale of his house went through.
Love was indeed a beautiful thing.
“Look at you sitting over here looking like a ray of sunshine,” Mordecai said as she threw his arm around his mother.
“I’m just taking it all in, son. I always wanted this for my children—love and happiness—and you all have found it. All four of you. It’s definitely something to be proud of.”
“It is.” Mordecai gently squeezed his mother’s shoulder.
“I raised y’all right.”
“You were the best mother any of us could ever ask for,” he told her. “My question to you is, when is it your turn?”
Florence’s brows bunched together. “My turn for what, Mordecai?”
“You know—to finally find your happily ever after,” he said while looking over at Dominick and Amira briefly before concentrating his attention on her again.
Florence chuckled. Her kids and their wishful thinking…
_________
If you haven't indulged in The Champion Brothers Series, be sure to check it out.

Hi readers! For Teaser Tuesday this week, I am sharing an excerpt from my new Champion Brothers Series book, At The Right Time. The book will be released this Friday, March 29, 2024! It is not available for pre-order. It will just be released. I will also reveal the cover on that date as well. I know you will enjoy Florence's story! (Also, please note that this excerpt could be changed/altered/edited before release day!)



At The Right Time - Excerpt


“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
And kiss her he did!
In fact, he kissed her so much, that it prolonged the applause from their family and friends who watched on with unbridled excitement. It was as if the cheers had encouraged him to kiss her harder, but no, it had nothing to do with that. They could’ve been out here alone and he still would’ve been giving her the business. That’s because it was her and their love had grown exponentially in the months after the crazy way they’d met.
Who would’ve ever thought Amira would’ve met her husband because of a traffic stop? She sure didn’t, but that’s how love happens most times – when you least expect it.
Florence smiled, deeply satisfied. As a single mother of four intelligent, beautiful children, she was beyond happy and fulfilled at sixty-two years of age. Her children were a huge part of that happiness and today, seeing Amira and Dominick tie the knot meant that now, all of her children were happily married and living their best lives.
Amazing.
She shook her head as she thought about their unconventional journey. They were already married before this ceremony, but Dominick loved Amira so much, he wanted to make it official and lay it out before everyone that she was his woman and that was that. He wanted Amira to have her day to wear a beautiful gown and dance the night away with her family and friends. They needed to share the first dance, the kisses and feeding each other cake. He wanted the world to know Amira was his wife.
And so on this beautiful fall day in September, they tied the knot at the Riverwalk Landing at the Cape Fear River. It was a special venue for them. He’d walked this strip with her the same moment he knew he was falling in love and now they were back here remembering those moments.
Florence pinched tears from her eyes and felt an overwhelming sense of pride as she saw the happiness in her daughter’s eyes. Then she looked at Jemisha and Mordecai, Savannah and Harding with their son, Harley, and Zoya and Tennyson. It made her feel good as a mother to raise four children practically on her own and watch them grow up, marry and start families of their own.
They were fortunate to have found love and people, good mates, to share their lives with. Lord knows it hadn’t been that way for her. She’d met and fell in love with their father, Nolan Champion, decades ago. He was handsome, charming, caring and thoughtful – he was everything she wanted in a man. Too bad he came with a whole wife! If only she’d known that before she fell for his charm – she’d ended it then and there, but once she was in love, she was in love. There was no ring. No wedding. No reception. No cake. No happily ever after. How could there be when he was married to another woman? His happily ever after was with his wife, for what little it was worth to have a cheating man, and all Florence had was a man who popped in now and again to see his kids and slide into her bed.
It was sad to think about but those memories ran through her mind as she watched Dominick and Amira dance under a plethora of string lights in the precious hour before dusk. Pushing her own turmoil and unhappiness aside, she could envision their entire lives just by watching them. They’d have a couple of gorgeous kids, a dog – a good healthy overall life. Florence could see Dominick working his highway patrol job while Amira finally settled on a career and fully contributed to the success of the household. And the icing on the cake – they were relocating to Wilmington from Asheville after the sale of his house went through.
Love was indeed a beautiful thing.
“Look at you sitting over here looking like a ray of sunshine,” Mordecai said as she threw his arm around his mother.
“I’m just taking it all in, son. I always wanted this for my children—love and happiness—and you all have found it. All four of you. It’s definitely something to be proud of.”
“It is.” Mordecai gently squeezed his mother’s shoulder.
“I raised y’all right.”
“You were the best mother any of us could ever ask for,” he told her. “My question to you is, when is it your turn?”
Florence’s brows bunched together. “My turn for what, Mordecai?”
“You know—to finally find your happily ever after,” he said while looking over at Dominick and Amira briefly before concentrating his attention on her again.
Florence chuckled. Her kids and their wishful thinking…
_________
If you haven't indulged in The Champion Brothers Series, be sure to check it out.

Carter and Shayla's story The Accidental Series concludes with the release of Accidental Lovers being released this Friday, October 20, 2023 in paperback and ebook. This title will also be available on Kindle Unlimited.

    Mini Excerpt (Accidental Lovers):

     Hepicked up his cell phone again, dialed their home number and talked into thevoicemail, hoping she’d be in the bedroom and would hear his message in real-time:

Shayla, baby, it’s meagain…just calling to say goodnight. He frowned.Hopefully, we can talk soon. We need to talk. I love you.

Hehung up the phone, feeling knots of nervousness in the pit of his stomach. Whatif Shayla never wanted to see him again? What if this marriage was already overfor her? What if…

Carterblew a defeated breath and buried his face in his hands. What to do? He could just roll up to the house andforce a conversation with her, but realizing that would probably cause moreharm than good, he stayed away. In anguish, in love and all, he stayed away.

- - - -
Order Accidental Lovers here at Amazon.  

While this is the end to their story, there is a spinoff story for Donovan. He deserves a story too, right? His story will be published soon. The title is Accidental Vows. Please leave a review for this series.
I love book email, so send me an email and tell me what you liked (or didn't like) about the characters. Overall, I hope you've found this series entertaining. Now, I'm on to the next. I'm working on a ton of new projects and can't wait to share them with you.
Happy Reading!
Tina

 

Order Accidental Deception on Amazon.

To fall in love with your brother's ex-fiance or let her go? That's the question Carter Williams has to ask himself regarding Shayla Kline.
It's almost time for some secrets, lies and deception. Accidental Deception will be here on Friday, September 1, 2023! This was the first series I wrote that really got me into writing romantic suspense. Yes, it is a continuation trilogy - the first book flows into the second, etc. The first three books are followed by a spinoff story and it will keep you guessing about what will happen next. This is a re-release, so some of you have already read it. If you have, leave a review. If you've read it before, read it again. You never know if I'll write an update story on Carter and Shayla. This title is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited only. It's also available in paperback. As for tropes, we have plenty of them: rich vs poor, brother's ex, secret identity, forbidden love and damsel in distress. I'm sure there are some I left out! Read an excerpt below.

Excerpt:

Carter sat on the bednext to her, staring into her eyes, feeling a strong urge to stroke her hair,but if she couldn’t tolerate his gentle touch to her forearm, she certainlywouldn’t be comfortable with hair strokes. So feeling disconnected, Carter usedwords to relay his genuineness. “So I can take care of you.”

“I don’t need you…to…totake care…of me,” she said between coughs. “I’m in a hospital. There are plentyof doctors and nurses here to take care of me. What are you doing here…anyway?”

Carter frowned. “What doyou mean? I’m here because I care.”

“You care?” She huffed.“Nobody cares. People pretend to…to care about people like me onlybecause…because they feel like they’re doing the universe a favor. I mean,don’t put yourself out.”

“Believe me, if I didn’twant to be here, I wouldn’t be. I’m here because I do care…thought you were going to die in my arms this morning.”

“Well, unfortunately, I’mnot dead, so…”

“What’d you say?” Carterglared at her. He couldn’t have heard her correctly. How could this delicate,little woman be so unappreciative of her life?

“Just go,” she told him.“Run off and save somebody who wants to be saved. I’ll be…fine here, andeven if I’m not, that’s…that’s okay too.”

“Wow,” Carter said besidehimself. “Why are you so ungrateful? I could’ve left you lying on thesidewalk…”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“Because I cared enoughto stop and help you,” he said, raising his voice. “I had a very importantmeeting to attend today, but instead, I’m stuck here with you.”

“You’re not stuck.I don’t see any chains on you. Go…I don’t need you here. Go to your—” Shecoughed, then continued, “—meeting.”

“You know what,” Cartersaid, lowering his tone, trying not to let his feelings get in the way of whathe wanted to accomplish with her. “I’m just gonna step out of the room. Whydon’t you rest and sleep off your anger?”

“Why don’t you go home?”she said so softly, Carter couldn’t completely make out what she’d said.

She closed her eyes aftershe watched Carter leave the room. Finally, peace and quiet. That, coupled witha soft bed and warm blankets were enough to put her to sleep, but she laidthere instead, remembering the last moments with her fiancé’, Jacob, eightmonths ago:

“Hey babe,” she told him as he stepped into the kitchen,briefcase in hand. She hadn’t been home too long, but was there long enough toget started on dinner. She had just slid a meatloaf in the oven. The blendedaromas of onions, green peppers ground beef and spices filled the kitchen. “Howwas job hunting? Find anything?”

Jacob was perplexed about something. That much she could tellfrom the worried expression on his face. She studied him closer, looking him upand down, noticing his smoke-gray suit, the crisp shirt and loosened necktie.He might not have had a job, but he was still dressed to the nines while helooked for one.

Jacob walked up to her and tasted her lips while holding herhead firmly between his strong hands. “You know I love you, more than anythingin this world. You know that don’t you, Shayla?”

Her face glowed as she stared into his eyes. “Yes,” shereplied. “I know. That’s why I’m marrying you.”

He kissed her lips again, but this time it was more potent.More needful. She couldn’t recall an instance when he kissed her so vigorously.Her hands found the back of his head. He mumbled how much he loved her whilethey smooched. Said he would always love her, even if something bad were tohappen to him…

* * *

Order Accidental Deception on Amazon today.