Thursday, January 10, 2013

A Lady Never Cheats on the Something New Something Naughty Blog Hop

Gladiator’s Pen is part of the Something New Something Naughty Blog Hop running from January 10th thru 13.th, sponsored by Jennifer Wright and Lisabet Sarai. They're giving away great 3 great prizes! One lucky winner will receive the grand prize of a $60 gift certificate to EdenFantasys, and 2 $25 gift certificates for the book site of the readers choice. (Amazon, B&B, All Romance E-book or Total-E-Bound) 

Enjoy the short story below and as an added bonus two lucky commenters will win an e-copy of my novel HALF! So be sure to leave a comment with your email or Twitter below.

A Lady Never Cheats
by Elise VanCise

The rowdy noise of the saloon floor rose up to where Caroline and some of the girls leaned on the balcony rail. Caroline took a long breath as she gazed down at the floor.

Miners had started to fill the room, their pockets filled with gold nuggets and ready to spend their new found fortunes. Caroline was ready to relieve them of it. One man burst with laughter, her husband had laughed that way. May he rest in hell.

With that thought it was time to get to work. She checked her bodice and her gun hidden in her skirt, and then walked down the stairs. A young miner eager for company caught her hand at the landing. “How much for your time? “

She raised a brow was he referring to her as a … she tilted her head with a sassy grin. “Sorry, darlin’, you can’t afford me?”

Caroline paused at the bar to pick up a bottle. After a glance around, she sat near the poker table to watch the players for a few hands. After the fourth hand played one of the men folded, closed his cards and gathered what was left of his wealth.

When he vacated the table with the remainder of his cash to the bar, Caroline smiled as she takes the seat. “Evening boys, mind if I take some of your money?”

A few laughed heartily as she poured herself a drink and tossed her ante into the pot. The pot was well stocked with cash and gold bits. She would be able to move out of his stink hole and into the hotel for a few days on this kit.

The dealer began the ritualistic shuffle and toss of cards before he passed them round. Caroline waited until all five were dealt before she picked them up in her dainty gloved fingers.

The player to her left a well-to-do rancher leaned over with a grin. “Just match the numbers, honey.”

Caroline closed her cards and held them to breast, with an innocent expression. “Thank you, for your advice. I’m such a novice at the game.”

Three hours later….

The dealer called for the final time and Caroline laid a straight flush across the table top. Two of the men swore and sighed as they tossed their cards back to the dealer. The third shook his head. “You must have that beginners luck or somthin, Miss Watson.”

Caroline grinned and reached out to pull the large pot her way. “Thank you, gentlemen. It’s been a true pleasure meeting your acquaintance this evening.”

The rancher scoffed and grabbed her wrist. “You’re not taking my money. This was a con of some sort.” He jerked her sleeve up searching; the pearl buttons snapped off and tumbled into the cash.

Caroline tried to pull her arm back but his grip was too tight. “Sir, I assure you, my game has been honest. Or do you question my skill as to deflect attention from the real cheat?”

“Lady, I don’t know what your scheme is but I know a cheat when I see one.” He squeezed her wrist tighter just to make his point as the other men around the table started to question and protest.

Calmly she reached to his far vest pocket with her free hand. Caroline slipped the ace from her cuff. From the view of the other men around them, it appeared she pulled the card from his pocket. “So do I, sir. I think these gents do as well.”

One player grabbed the rancher, another swung, it didn’t take long before Caroline was forgotten. She plucked the rancher’s hat from the back of the chair and swept everything from the table with her arm into it. She’d sort chips and shot glasses from the take later.

Caroline hurried upstairs for her bag and an exit out the window. It was a new year and time to find another town, she’s been too naughty here. 


For a chance to win more prizes hop on over to one of these blogs for more Something New Something Naughty fun! Don't forget to comment for your chance to win an e-copy of HALF! 

Adriana Kraft
Adriana Kraft
Alisha Paige/Ruby Vines
Addicted to Genre Bending
Ann Cory
Ann Cory
Cassandra Carr
Hot Blogging with Heart
Cherie Noel
Great Expectations
Diane Thorne
Diane Thorne - Erotic Romance Author
Donna George Storey
Sex, Food, and Writing
Donna Michaels
Romaginative Fiction-Donna's Dish
Elise VanCise
Gladiator's Pen
Harlie Williams
Harlie Williams, Writer
Helena Harker
Open the Door to Your Fantasies
Jennifer Wright
Jennifer Wright's Blog
Justus Roux
Where Love and Erotic Know No Boundaries
Kayelle Allen
Unstoppable Heroes
Kelli Scott
Lip Service
Kendall McKenna
Love and Dog Tags
Lisabet Sarai
Beyond Romance
Lisa Carlisle
Lisa Carlisle's News
Lyndi Lamont
Lyndi's Love Notes
M. S. Spencer
M. S. Spencer Tale Spinner
Marie Sexton
Marie Sexton
May Water
May Water's Erotica
Michelle Moon
Ink Dipped Moon
Mona Karel
Mona Karel Blog
Naomi Bellina
Naomi Bellina Adventurous Erotic Romance
Nicole Morgan
Bringing Passion To Life
Rose Anderson
Calliopes Writing Tablet
Roz Lee
Roz Lee
S. Dora
S. Dora
Sapphire Phelan
Sapphire Phelan's Passion Corner
Stormie Kent
Stormie Kent's Musings
Suz deMello
Fearless, Fast-paced Fiction
Synithia Williams
Synithia Williams
Victoria Pinder
Victoria Pinder Romance Author
Virginia Nelson
Virginia Nelson, Author

27 comments:

  1. Ohhh naughty naughty! The lady surely needs a spanking! Thanks for sharing your short with us. It was quite entertaining.

    Best wishes
    Christine S
    cms72023 at gmail dot com

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  2. I love it, but yep, she needs to get out of town.
    Z
    seawitch reviews at yahoo dot com

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  3. Loved the post! I can’t wait to read all these new books and meet new authors!!!!!Thanks for the giveaway and can’t wait to see what 2013 brings!!!!!!

    readingdiva@ymail.com

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  4. Naughty sells. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

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  5. Clever twist. She is no lady, methinks :-)

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  6. What a fun short story. Definitely time to move on after that stunt. Thanks for the fun blog hop.
    sbereza22 at gmail.com

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  7. Like the short story. Keep writing so I can keep reading. Thanks for being in the blog hop.
    roya-clan@sbcglobal.net

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  8. Love the excerpt! I really like Caroline, and would like to see where she ends up next.

    dancingcelt at gmail dot com

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  9. Hello, Elise,

    Thank you so much for participating in our hop. You're a new author for me - glad to make your acquaintance - and I really liked your story. The illustration is fantastic too.

    Stay naughty!

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  10. I like clever Caroline.
    bituin76 at hotmail dot com

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  11. ooo I so want to read this now

    xo_veronica16[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  12. My mind immediately jumped to, "What happens if he comes after her? Revenge can be...sweet."

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  13. She better run fast, she was really naughty :)

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. thanks for the hop book sounds good
    kaholgate at ymail dot com

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  15. Sounds interesting...gonna love to read it! <3

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  16. Oh what a naughty cheat!
    Thanks for hopping!
    grapeapril75(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  17. Loved the short. THank you

    smurfettev AT gmail DOT com

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  18. Caroline has been naughty!
    I love the name of your blog--Gladiator's Pen. Cool.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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  19. Thanks for the giveaway!
    -Amber
    amberlynn1231@yahoo.com

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  20. hehe...she was naughty!
    So great to be in this fun hop with you,Elise.

    donna_michaels @ msn. com

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  21. Thank you for participating in our blog hop, Elise! :)

    ~Jen

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  22. Nice shorty! Love the vintage pic!

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  23. Liked the story. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lauratroxelatyahoodotcom

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  24. Great story. Thanks! Best wishes and many blessings!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. I liked the short story, thanks for the giveaway!

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I can't believe after all my fussing at you that I forgot to go back and read your story. Loved it! Especially the misdirection in the beginning (making the reader assume she's a...you know). Very clever. Belated thanks! Meredith

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